Rubondo Island National Park

It is located on the southwest shores of Lake Victoria. Rubondo Island National Park includes Rubondo Island and several other small islands of Lake Victoria.

Rubondo is the best place to see a variety of butterflies and birdlife easily from the lakeshore.

The rare Sitatunga, an extremely endangered amphibious antelope, sometimes hides and camouflages itself in the lakeshore marshes to escape predators.

Chimpanzees can also be seen in this beautiful National Park.

A visit to Rubondo Island National Park offers visitors a break from game viewing in the tranquil peace of a lakeshore setting.

Exploring the islands within the park creates excitement for day trips.

Fishing expeditions into Lake Victoria are easily arranged through the major lodges.

Rubondo Island National Park offers a break from the rigorous safari circuit and a tranquil base for exploring Lake Victoria.

Attractions in Rubondo Park 

  • Witness Chimpanzees closely in the wild.
  • This park has a variety of water birds, Eurasian migrants, and introduced African grey parrots.
  • The high density of African fish eagles is distinctly seen in Rubondo National Park.
  • Expect to see a variety of animal species, including Sitatunga, Elephants, Giraffes, Hippos, Bushbucks, Pythons, Crocodiles, Chimpanzees (not fully habituated), Bush pigs, and Suni. 
  • Lake Victoria is a spectacular sight for visitors, with the lake’s deepest point (Irumo) within the park. 
  • Enjoy the magnificent view of one of the last remaining representatives of the dense, evergreen primary lowland Congolese forest, with a unique habitat mosaic and high biodiversity. 
  • Visitors enjoy the beautiful beaches such as Fly Catcher, Mchangani, and Michicoco. 
  • Visitors can see the Important gulfs of Irumo and Kamea 
  • Expect apparent sightings of both sunrise and sunset 
  • Maasai, such as “Ntungamirwe”, “Maji Matakatifu”, “Altare”, and “Solo”, explain the life of natives who once stayed in the park 
  • Experience “Birds Islands,” which is a fantastic breeding site for waterbirds 
  • Visitors to Rubondo Island actually discover the Crocodile Island. 

Facilities 

Bandas

Located about two kilometers from the Park headquarters, with one well-maintained unit with triple beds inside/self-contained and five double bedrooms, all self-contained with hot shower service. Maximum capacity 13 pax per night.

Rest House

The rest house is owned by TANAPA and is located about 2 kilometers from the Park headquarters. It has two single rooms, one triple room, and one double room, all self-contained with a TV and hot showers. The maximum/full capacity is seven pax per night.

Youth hostel

Located at the park headquarters. Capacity 36 persons (16 boys, 16 girls, and two rooms with double beds to accommodate four teachers)

Resting shelters

Four resting shelters are located at bandas overlooking the lake, where visitors can relax and enjoy the breeze during the day.

Dining and Kitchen

A well-maintained, fully equipped facility with a park-owned kitchen and dining area. All visitors are advised to bring their own food, as the park provides a kitchen and dining facilities. Note that the place is self-catering.

Campfire

The dining/kitchen facility faces a fireplace, which is typically lit for visitors to stay nearby in the evening while enjoying their barbecue and drinks. 

Shop

One shop, owned by TANAPA Rubondo staff and located at the Park headquarters, sells household items and beverages for staff and visitor use.

Tanzania Travel Tips

Our team carefully researched and focused on trips that attract people with the same interests and naturally get on well with each other through their shared interests.

Once you confirm your booking on a tour you will be sent further practical information – packing tips, detailed itineraries, including advice on health, passport and visa requirements, and minimum and maximum numbers of guests on tours.

Memorable meals are a hallmark of an excellent holiday. With the support of the best cooks, the quality of food and drink service is guaranteed.

Depending on the service level or tour type you have chosen, a pre-discussion with your tour planner is a win-win for an enjoyable trip.

Our cook accompanies other tours, and other services are included with our accommodation partners, including hotels, private camps, and luxury lodges.

The answer is absolute yes! The areas where safaris are organized are safe and free of political chaos.

We conduct safaris in politically stable regions to ensure our clients’ safety and enjoyment.

Our Professional Safari Guides are well-trained about wild animal behaviors, and they have enough experience to lead our clients in the wilderness.

Our vehicles are 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers and Land Rovers with a hatched roof to give maximum visibility of the game.

African safaris offer unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the defining features of the African savanna. You roam across the countryside in search of Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Cape buffalo, and Leopards (the so-called “Big Five”).

On any given day, you will encounter Blue Wildebeests, Zebras, a large variety of antelope species, Gazelles, Giraffes, Baboons, and Hippos. The birdlife is fantastic – in some areas, up to 400 bird species have been identified!

Think of the majestic Baobab tree (some tribes believe that the tree was indeed planted upside-down!), and there are hundreds of varieties of thorn trees! You will also see the acacia-dotted landscape, endless plains, majestic mountains, and the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises imaginable! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.

Tanzania’s destinations are accessible year-round, but we recommend scheduling your safari during the dry season for the best sightings, as grasses and bush are at their least dense—July to October and December through February. The green session includes March through June. Discuss with us for the best option if you have also a plan to coincide with the Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park.

(We suggest you remember) insect repellent (the best way to prevent malaria and other insect-borne diseases), sunscreen, cap or hat, sunglasses, binoculars, detergent powder if you want to wash some clothes yourself, hand-wipes small flashlight, aspirin, diarrhea medicine, rain jacket, poncho, or collapsible umbrella, plastic bags (for wet clothes, swimsuit and for keeping dust away from camera equipment), Kleenex/toilet tissue a neck chain for eyeglasses if you take them off to use binoculars and cameras, any medical prescription you need, masking tape or labels for marking exposed films cans, film, extra camera batteries.

Although more than 200 languages and dialects are spoken across Africa, this is not a problem, as English is widely spoken in East and Southern Africa. In addition to English, all our professional guides are multilingual, so we have you covered.

African safaris offer unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the defining features of the African savanna. You roam across the countryside in search of Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Cape buffalo, and Leopards (the so-called “Big Five”).

On any given day, you will encounter Blue Wildebeests, Zebras, a large variety of antelope species, Gazelles, Giraffes, Baboons, and Hippos. The birdlife is fantastic – in some areas, up to 400 bird species have been identified!

Think of the majestic Baobab tree (some tribes believe that the tree was indeed planted upside-down!), and there are hundreds of varieties of thorn trees! You will also see the acacia-dotted landscape, endless plains, majestic mountains, and the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises imaginable! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are committed to ensuring you experience the luxury of genuinely memorable travel. On every trip, we aim to create a ‘charmed space’ within which you can relax, absorb fresh insights, be stimulated and charmed by new encounters – and have fun!

Whether traveling alone or with friends, Blessing Safaris guests often mention how particularly agreeable they find their traveling companions. Our groups are deliberately small, comprising 2 to 7 guests, especially for safari.

Our team carefully researched and focused on trips that attract people with the same interests and naturally get on well with each other through their shared interests.

Once you confirm your booking on a tour, you will be sent further practical information – packing tips, detailed itineraries, including advice on health, passport, and visa requirements, and minimum and maximum numbers of guests on tours.

Memorable meals are a hallmark of an excellent holiday. With the support of the best cooks, the quality of food and drink service is guaranteed. Depending on the service level or tour type you have chosen, a pre-discussion with your tour planner is a win-win for an enjoyable trip. Other tours are accompanied by our cook, and others are inclusive service from our accommodation partners, including hotels, private camps, and luxury lodges

Please help us help you by organizing even better tours and saving money. If you contact us in advance, you will save significantly on price, as you have the best time to negotiate and customize the tour with a safari planner.

Why not? We offer private tours for individuals, families, and groups. Whether you’re celebrating a special anniversary or planning a family reunion, we can discuss your needs. We can create a bespoke itinerary away from traffic, tailored to your requirements, and travel in style.

The answer is absolutely yes! The areas where safaris are organized are safe and free of political chaos. We conduct safaris in politically stable regions to ensure our clients’ safety and enjoyment.

Our Professional Safari Guides are well trained about wild animal behaviors and they have enough experience to lead our clients in the wilderness. Our vehicles are 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers and Land Rovers with a hatched roof to give maximum visibility of the game.

African safaris offer unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the defining features of the African savanna. You roam across the countryside in search of Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Cape buffalo, and Leopards (the so-called “Big Five”).

On any given day, you will encounter Blue Wildebeests, Zebras, a large variety of antelope species, Gazelles, Giraffes, Baboons, and Hippos. The birdlife is fantastic – in some areas, up to 400 bird species have been identified!

Think of the majestic Baobab tree (some tribes believe that the tree was indeed planted upside-down!), and there are hundreds of varieties of thorn trees! You will also see the acacia-dotted landscape, endless plains, majestic mountains, and the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises imaginable! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.

This aspect is much overstated. You will rarely see a snake, but if you do, it will most likely be from the safety of your safari vehicle. Tents and lodges all have bug screens fitted to windows and doors. In most areas where bugs or mosquitoes are prevalent, rooms and tents are also equipped with mosquito nets, adding to the idealistic ambiance. Bear in mind that malaria is a threat in most wildlife areas, and it is necessary to consult your doctor for advice before embarking on your safari.

Tanzania destinations are accessible year-round, but we recommend scheduling your safari during the dry season (July to October and December through February) for the best sightings, as grasses and bush are at their least dense. The green session includes March through June. Discuss with us the best option if you also plan to coincide with the Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park.

Note: the migration is a natural process, and timing varies month by month andyear by year. Fortunately, it won’t happen in one day; it takes time to complete. We update most of our clients once the migration begins, so if your primary goal is to witness the migration, please contact us in advance so we can do our best to accommodate you. Please note that most travelers do not see the wildebeest crossing in the Mara, as the timing and duration vary widely each year. The best probable months are July, August, and September

Around the turn of the century (until the ’30s and ’40s), mobile tenting was the only option, and “camp as you go” was the standard practice. Over the years, the luxury associated with traditional mobile tenting safaris has increased.

By the same token, one can understand that the cost of having a “luxury hotel” following one around in Africa is expensive. However, most people settle for permanent tented camps.

Because they are “permanent,” they can be equipped with flush toilets and traditional bathroom fixtures and conveniences. Don’t be misled by the terminology – a permanent tented camp offers the comfort of a 5-star hotel, with the romance and adventure of being surrounded by the sights and sounds of Africa.

(We suggest you remember) insect repellent (the best way to prevent malaria and other insect-borne diseases), sunscreen, cap or hat, sunglasses, binoculars, detergent powder if you want to wash some clothes yourself, hand-wipes small flashlight, aspirin, diarrhea medicine, rain jacket, poncho or collapsible umbrella, plastic bags (for wet clothes, swimsuit and for keeping dust away from camera equipment), Kleenex/toilet tissue a neck chain for eyeglasses if you take them off to use binoculars and cameras, any medical prescription you need, masking tape or labels for marking exposed films cans, film, extra camera batteries.

Although more than 200 languages and dialects are spoken across Africa, this is not a problem, as English is widely spoken in East and Southern Africa. Apart from English, all our professional guides are multilingual, so we get you covered

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