Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s ‘Behind the Scenes’ experience at Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary has now reopened to visitors. The experience offers an exclusive look at the fascinating world of its chimp residents.

Established in 1993, Ol Pejeta’s Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary provides safety and solace to rescued and orphaned chimpanzees that cannot be reintroduced back into the wild.

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 360sqkm not-for-profit wildlife conservancy in Central Kenya's Laikipia County. 

Sweetwaters has been a chartered member of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) since 2002 and recently was awarded re-accreditation. PASA is an alliance of sanctuaries throughout Africa that serves as a united coalition fighting to protect and save humanity’s closest relatives from the brink of extinction.

“As part of the alliance, we are committed to ensuring the highest standards of animal care, safety and security, welfare, management, community engagement and conservation education,” Ol Pejeta Conservancy said in a press release.

Sweetwaters Sanctuary offers a platform for education for its local communities by helping to raise awareness of primate conservation and developing an appreciation for protecting the environment.

The sanctuary is also involved in chimpanzee conservation advocacy on a global scale and shares knowledge and expertise to chimpanzee sanctuaries throughout Africa.

Dr Florence Kang’ethe, who joined Sweetwaters Sanctuary last year, said: “When I first met the chimpanzees, I was fascinated by how each one was just like a person, full of personality and very communicative. They are truly intelligent, curious, and very observant animals.

“It is surreal to work with them, and emotional when you learn their background stories, keeping in mind that almost daily somewhere in Africa a chimpanzee is going through a life-changing event. This makes me strive to work hard and become an advocate for them and many other species through my career.

“I am honoured to be working in a sanctuary that gives chimpanzees a chance to start over and learn how to be a chimpanzee again. The love and care we give them goes a long way to giving them a comfortable forever home.”