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, can sometimes be viewed as escaping from the charging predators by hiding and camouflaging itself in the lakeshore marshes.

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 is a relaxation from the rigorous safari circuit and a relaxing place from which to explore 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 different animal species including Sitatunga, Elephants, Giraffes, Hippos, Bushbucks, Pythons, Crocodiles, Chimpanzees (not fully habituated), Bush pigs, and Suni 
  • Lake Victoria forms a spectacular sight for visitors with the deepest point in the lake (Irumo) forming part of the park 
  • Enjoy the magnificent view of one of the last remaining representatives of evergreen dense primary lowland Congolese forest with a unique habitat mosaic amid high biodiversity value 
  • Visitors enjoy the beautiful beaches such as Fly Catcher, Mchangani, and Michicoco 
  • Visitors can see the Important gulfs of Irumo and Kamea 
  • Expect clear 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 an amazing breeding site for waterbirds ● Visitors to Rubondo Island actually discover the Crocodile Island 


Facilities 

Bandas

Located about two kilometers from the Park headquarters with 1 unit of well-maintained uniport with triple beds inside/self-contained and 5 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 two kilometers from Park headquarters with 2 singles, 1 triple beds room, and 1 double bed sized room all being self-contained with a TV and hot shower. The maximum/full capacity is 7 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 4 teachers.)

Resting shelters

Four resting shelters are located at bandas facing a magnificent view of the lake where visitors rest while enjoying the lake breeze during the day.

Dining and Kitchen

A well-maintained and fully equipped facility consisting of a dining and kitchen owned by the park, all visitors are advised to bring in some foodstuffs while the park provides kitchen and dining facilities. Note that, the place is self-catering.

Campfire

The dining/kitchen facility faces a fireplace where the fire is normally lit for visitors to stay nearby during evening times while enjoying their barbecue and drinks. 

Shop

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

Tanzania Travel Tips

Our team carefully researched and focused on trips which attract people with the same interest 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 one of the hallmarks 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 type of tour you have chosen, pre-discussion with your tour planner is a win-win situation for an enjoyable diet. Other tours are accompanied by our cook and others are inclusive service from our accommodation partners include 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 places that are politically stable to assure 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 Cruiser and Land Rovers with a hutched roof to give maximum visibility of a game.

African safaris guarantee unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the core characters 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 one could ever imagine! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.

Tanzania destinations are accessible throughout the year but we advise you to take your tours during the dry session for the safari so as you can enjoy the best sightings at this time as the 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 coincides with 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 throughout Africa, this presents no problem as English is spoken throughout East and Southern Africa. Apart from English, all our professional guides are multilingual so we get you covered.

African safaris guarantee unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the core characters 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 one could ever imagine! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.