The chimp conservation island in Lake Victoria has won the prestigious Virgin Holidays Award for Responsible Tourism after being nominated for and competing against another 140 contestants over who and which is the best in their efforts to promote conservation and protection of wildlife and the environment.

Sanctuary director Lilly Ajarova was denied a visa by hapless British consular officials denying her timely travel to London’s World Travel Market last month, and although the British High Commission staff then fell all over themselves, with much proverbial egg on their faces, to rectify the mishandling of her application, it was then too late for her to travel.

The EU head of mission to Uganda, in the presence of other diplomats and invited guests, honored last week the handing over the award to the sanctuary’s director on the island in recognition of the work done since the Ngamba sanctuary was formed 11 years ago.