Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a rescue and rehabilitation centre for orphaned and abused chimpanzees inside Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya. It is the only place in Kenya where visitors can see chimpanzees.
The sanctuary provides lifelong care for chimpanzees rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, captivity and conflict zones. The animals live in large natural enclosures where they can climb, forage, interact and form social groups under the supervision of professional caregivers and veterinary teams.
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established through a partnership involving Ol Pejeta, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute. It opened in 1993 and initially received chimpanzees evacuated from a rescue centre in Burundi during civil conflict.
Today, visiting the sanctuary is one of the main experiences available during an Ol Pejeta safari. It can be combined with game drives, rhino viewing and visits to other conservation projects within the conservancy.
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary Kenya
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is located within the approximately 90,000-acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of Kenya’s leading wildlife and conservation areas.
The sanctuary offers a permanent home to chimpanzees that cannot safely be returned to the wild. Many were orphaned when their mothers were killed, captured for the pet trade or kept in unsuitable conditions before being rescued.
Unlike a zoo, Sweetwaters gives its chimpanzees access to extensive outdoor habitats. The animals live in established social groups and spend much of their day moving through woodland, climbing trees, feeding and interacting with one another.
Visitors observe the chimpanzees from designated viewing areas separated from the habitat by the Ewaso Nyiro River and secure fencing. Caregivers may explain the animals’ individual histories, personalities, feeding routines and the wider threats facing wild chimpanzee populations.
Where Is Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary Located?
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is located inside Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia County, west of Nanyuki and near the foothills of Mount Kenya.
The approximate travel distances are:
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Nanyuki to Ol Pejeta Conservancy: approximately 15–20 kilometres, depending on the entrance used
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Nairobi to Ol Pejeta: approximately 200 kilometres
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Nairobi to Ol Pejeta by road: normally 3.5–4.5 hours
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Mount Kenya region to Ol Pejeta: approximately 1–2 hours, depending on the starting point
Ol Pejeta can be reached by road from Nairobi or by scheduled and charter flights to Nanyuki Airstrip. Transfers from the airstrip can be arranged to lodges and camps within or near the conservancy.
The chimpanzee sanctuary is situated inside the protected area, so visitors must first enter Ol Pejeta Conservancy. It is not a separate roadside attraction outside the conservancy.
How Big Is Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary?
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary covers approximately 250 acres, equivalent to about 100 hectares or one square kilometre.
The sanctuary is divided into two large sections by the Ewaso Nyiro River. These separate habitats allow the chimpanzees to live in compatible social groups while enjoying enough space to move, climb, forage and display natural behaviour.
The outdoor areas contain indigenous vegetation, trees, bushes and open ground. Secure fencing protects the chimpanzees while the river provides an additional natural boundary.
The sanctuary forms only a small section of the much larger Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Ol Pejeta covers approximately 90,000 acres and supports rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and numerous other species.
Jane Goodall and Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Dr Jane Goodall played an important role in the establishment and development of Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
The sanctuary was created through cooperation between Ol Pejeta, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute. It began receiving rescued chimpanzees in 1993, including animals relocated from Burundi when civil conflict made their previous sanctuary unsafe.
Some of the chimpanzees later brought to Sweetwaters were rescued through interventions supported directly by Dr Goodall and organisations working against the illegal trade in great apes.
Jane Goodall’s connection to Sweetwaters extended beyond its establishment. She remained associated with chimpanzee welfare, public education and efforts to stop the capture, trafficking and mistreatment of great apes.
Sweetwaters continues this legacy by providing lifelong care to rescued chimpanzees and teaching visitors about the conservation challenges facing the species. (A True Conservation Icon)
Why Are There Chimpanzees in Kenya?
Chimpanzees are not naturally found in Kenya. Their wild range is mainly within the forests and woodlands of West and Central Africa, with some populations in East African countries such as Uganda and Tanzania.
The chimpanzees at Sweetwaters were brought to Kenya after being rescued from difficult or dangerous circumstances. Their backgrounds include:
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The illegal wildlife trade
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The bushmeat trade
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Private captivity
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Entertainment facilities
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Inadequate zoos
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Armed conflict
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Abandonment after becoming too large or difficult to control
Many rescued chimpanzees have experienced severe physical or psychological trauma. Sweetwaters gives them a protected environment, veterinary treatment, appropriate nutrition, behavioural enrichment and the opportunity to live with other chimpanzees.
Because they have spent time in captivity, come from different wild populations or lack the survival skills needed in the forest, the chimpanzees generally cannot be released. The sanctuary therefore provides lifelong care.
How Many Chimpanzees Live at Sweetwaters?
The number of chimpanzees at Sweetwaters can change when new animals are rescued or older residents die. Ol Pejeta reported caring for 29 rescued chimpanzees in 2026. (olpejetaconservancy.org)
Visitors should avoid relying on much older figures found online. Some historical articles mention more than 40 chimpanzees because they describe the sanctuary’s population at an earlier point in its history.
Each chimpanzee has an individual name, background and personality. Caregivers monitor their health and behaviour while helping newly rescued animals adjust before they join an established social group.
Can You See Chimpanzees at Sweetwaters?
Yes. Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is the only place in Kenya where the public can see chimpanzees.
Visitors view the animals from protected observation points rather than walking through their habitat. Sightings are usually good, particularly when chimpanzees gather near the viewing area, but they remain free to move throughout their extensive enclosures.
The experience is different from chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, Rwanda or Tanzania. At Sweetwaters:
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The chimpanzees are rescued animals living in a protected sanctuary.
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Visitors remain within designated viewing areas.
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There is no walking through a wild forest to track them.
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The experience focuses on rescue, welfare and conservation education.
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A normal visit can be included in an Ol Pejeta game drive.
People searching for a chimpanzee safari in Kenya should therefore understand that Sweetwaters is a sanctuary visit, not a wild chimpanzee trek.
What to Expect During a Visit
A standard visit allows you to observe the chimpanzees and learn about their behaviour, family groups and rescue stories.
Depending on the animals’ location, visitors may see them:
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Feeding
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Climbing trees
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Resting in the shade
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Grooming one another
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Playing
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Communicating through facial expressions and vocalisations
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Moving between woodland and open areas
Interpretive information explains the effects of habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trafficking and the bushmeat trade on wild chimpanzee populations.
The length of a normal visit depends on your itinerary, but approximately 30–60 minutes is suitable for most travellers.
Behind-the-Scenes Chimpanzee Experience
Ol Pejeta may offer a separately booked behind-the-scenes experience at Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. This provides a closer look at the work undertaken by the caregivers.
Depending on the programme available, participants may learn about:
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Daily chimpanzee care
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Food preparation and feeding
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Veterinary monitoring
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Behavioural enrichment
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Social-group management
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Rescue and rehabilitation
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The background of individual chimpanzees
Behind-the-scenes experiences normally have limited spaces and specific starting times. They should be booked in advance, especially during weekends and busy travel periods. Availability, charges and participation requirements can change, so these should be confirmed when arranging the safari.
Is Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary Worth Visiting?
Yes. Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is worth visiting for travellers interested in wildlife, primates, animal welfare and conservation.
It is particularly suitable for:
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Families travelling with children
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Wildlife enthusiasts
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School and educational groups
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Travellers interested in Jane Goodall’s conservation legacy
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Visitors who want to understand illegal wildlife trafficking
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Guests staying in Nanyuki or Ol Pejeta
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Travellers combining Mount Kenya and Laikipia
The sanctuary also adds variety to an Ol Pejeta safari. In one destination, visitors can see rescued chimpanzees, black and white rhinos, big cats and other Kenyan wildlife.
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary Entrance Fee
A standard visit to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is generally undertaken after entering Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Visitors must therefore pay the applicable Ol Pejeta Conservancy entry fee.
Additional charges may apply for:
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Behind-the-scenes chimpanzee experiences
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Private guides
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Conservancy vehicles
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Transfers from Nanyuki
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Full-day or overnight safari packages
Entrance fees and activity charges vary according to residency, age and the experience booked. Confirm the current rates when making your reservation rather than relying on older prices published online.
Best Time to Visit Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary can be visited throughout the year.
The drier months, generally from January to March and June to October, are popular for Ol Pejeta safaris because roads are easier to navigate and wildlife frequently gathers around water sources.
The wetter months can bring green landscapes, fewer visitors and excellent photography conditions. However, occasional heavy rain may affect some roads within the conservancy.
Chimpanzee visibility depends on where the animals choose to spend their time within the enclosure. As they have space to move freely, no visit should be treated like a staged animal presentation.
Where to Stay Near Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Visitors can stay inside Ol Pejeta Conservancy or in the wider Nanyuki area.
Staying inside the conservancy provides easier access to early-morning and late-afternoon game drives. It also reduces the travelling time needed to reach Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Accommodation options include:
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Pelican House
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Camps and lodges near the conservancy entrances
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Hotels and resorts in Nanyuki
Nanyuki accommodation may be suitable for guests seeking more affordable rooms, self-catering properties or access to the town’s restaurants and shops.
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary Day Trip
The sanctuary can be visited on a day trip from Nanyuki or as part of a longer excursion from Nairobi.
A typical Ol Pejeta day trip may include:
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Morning entry into Ol Pejeta Conservancy
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Game drive in search of rhinos, elephants and big cats
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Visit to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
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Lunch inside the conservancy
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Visit to the northern white rhino conservation area, when arranged
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Afternoon game drive
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Return to Nanyuki or Nairobi
A day trip from Nairobi is possible but involves a long drive. Staying for at least one night allows more time for wildlife viewing and reduces the amount of travelling in a single day.
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Ol Pejeta Safari
A visit to Sweetwaters is best combined with a wider Ol Pejeta safari.
Ol Pejeta is known for:
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Black and southern white rhinos
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The last two northern white rhinos
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Lions, leopards and cheetahs
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Elephants and buffaloes
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Grevy’s and plains zebras
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Giraffes and other plains wildlife
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Conservation and anti-poaching programmes
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Day and night game drives
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Family-friendly wildlife activities
Two nights are normally sufficient for a comfortable Ol Pejeta experience. Travellers with more time can combine the conservancy with Mount Kenya, Samburu, Lake Nakuru or the Masai Mara.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary?
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is inside Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia County, near Nanyuki, Kenya. It is approximately 200 kilometres north of Nairobi.
How big is Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary?
The sanctuary covers approximately 250 acres, or about 100 hectares. It contains two large enclosures separated by the Ewaso Nyiro River.
Did Jane Goodall establish Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary?
Jane Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute played an important role in establishing the sanctuary in partnership with Ol Pejeta and the Kenya Wildlife Service. The sanctuary began operating in 1993.
Are chimpanzees native to Kenya?
No. Chimpanzees are not indigenous to Kenya. The chimpanzees at Sweetwaters were rescued from other countries and brought to the sanctuary for protection and lifelong care.
Is Sweetwaters the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya?
Yes. Sweetwaters is Kenya’s only chimpanzee sanctuary and the only place in the country where visitors can see chimpanzees.
Can visitors touch the chimpanzees?
No. Direct contact is not permitted. Visitors observe the chimpanzees from secure viewing areas to protect both people and animals.
Is Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary a zoo?
No. It is a rescue sanctuary providing long-term care, rehabilitation and naturalistic habitats for chimpanzees that cannot return to the wild.
Can the chimpanzees be released into the wild?
Most cannot be released because of their histories in captivity, their different countries of origin and the difficulty of identifying safe, suitable habitats. Sweetwaters therefore gives them lifelong care.
How long should I spend at the sanctuary?
Allow approximately 30–60 minutes for a standard visit. A behind-the-scenes experience may take longer and usually requires advance booking.
Do I need to book in advance?
A normal visit may be included within your Ol Pejeta safari. Special chimpanzee experiences, accommodation and private transport should be reserved in advance.
Plan Your Visit to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
We can arrange a private visit to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary as part of an Ol Pejeta day trip, overnight safari or longer Kenya itinerary.
Packages can include private transport from Nairobi or Nanyuki, Ol Pejeta entry fees, game drives, accommodation and other conservation experiences. Tell us your travel dates, number of guests and preferred accommodation level, and we will prepare a suitable itinerary.
Pic: Sweetwaters Serena
