Rubondo Island is tucked into the corner of Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest lake. With nine smaller islands under her wing, Rubondo Island protects precious fish breeding grounds. Tilapia and the rapacious Nile perch grow here. Deserted sandy beaches nestle against a cloak of virgin forest. Ninety percent of the island is covered with humid forest. Papyrus swamps host the secretive sitatunga, a shaggy aquatic antelope , and the dappled bushbuck. A number of indigenous mammal species - hippo, genet and mongoose - share their protected habitat with introduced species such as chimpanzee, elephant and giraffe. Rubondo is a birder’s paradise with the malachite kingfisher’s azure brilliance competing with the paradise flycatcher’s glamorous flowing tail. Home to fish eagles and a global stopover for hundreds of migratory birds as well as a sanctuary for sweet smelling wild jasmine and 40 different species of orchid.

Leopard

Lesser Kundu

The wide variety of invertebrates and diversity of plants species makes Rubondo a fascinating place for naturalists. Fabulous butterflies create a kalei-doscope of colour in the forest together with the spectacular seasonal displays of orchids, fireball lilies and red coral trees.The eastern shore of Lake Victoria is only a few kilometers from the Serengeti. The best way to get to this island is by charter plane and is a thirty minute flight from Mwanza. This island is a real paradise with the African adventure starting as the light aircraft lands on the grass airstrip, sometimes animals will have to be cleared off the runway. The island is striking in its greenness and the whistles of the African Grey parrot echoing in the forest, truly you have landed in an African paradise. There are only two vehicles on the island and one tented camp. A trip to Bird Island is a must. There are thousands upon thousands of birds here; among the numbers are cormorants and egrets that return to island daily from their feeding grounds. The sky at times almost turning back with the vast numbers seek their roots high above the Nile crocodiles that bask bellow.

Rubondo Island Camp
The camp operates 10 bandas (luxury tents). Each of the ten units overlooks the lake, a view which may be enjoyed from the seclusion of a private terrace and just a few yards from the sandy lakeshore. The comfortable large tents have windows on all sides and, instead of the common zips, an entrance door. A spacious en suite bath- and dressing room has been constructed for each banda. Great care has been taken to use local natural building materials.An outcrop of rocks amidst scattered trees provides the perfect setting for the restaurant and bar, offering a splendid view of the lake and bay. A swimming pool is located conveniently close to the bar, among the palm trees. During the day the lake is usually calm, but when the wind picks up in the late afternoon the waves roll in, carrying in the singing sounds of the sea. Rubondo’s climate is comfortably warm all the year round and never gets as hot as on the coast. Enjoy it’s clean air –there is no traffic on the island.

Rubondo Safari Information
It has got a size of 240 square kilometres equated to 93 square miles. It is situated in Northwest Tanzania, a150 kilometres or 95 miles west of Mwanza.
Rubondo Island Camp Tour Travel Safari Information
How to get there.
There are time tabled flights from Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Mwanza in peak season, the charter flights only in low season. If you travel by road, travel from Mwanza, then get a transfer by boat. For details about transport, contact the park.
What to do.
There are walking safaris, boat short journeys, fishing sport, chimpanzee trekking, plans for canoe trips.
When to go.
During June to August, when the season is dry. Wild flowers and butterflies are there during this time. Also from November to March when the season is wet.
And for bird lovers, it is better to go between December to February because that is the best time for migratory birds. Rubondo Island National park for walking, short journeys by boat, watching birds, fishing, relaxing and many others.

Rubondo is a paradise for those who love birds, having a bout 430 species recorded on the island. The variety of homes, from open woodland to papyrus swamps and evergreen forest, together with its geographical location in the centre of Africa, draws closer big numbers of resident and migrant species. The Island possesses plenty of herons, storks, egrets, ibises, cormorants, kingfishers, flycatchers, bee-eaters, hornbills and birds of prey, involving the highest density of fish eagles all over the globe.
Rubondo is a great place for hiking (accompanied by an armed guard). Rubondo Island consists of dense forest and extensive wetlands, home to sitatunga, chimpanzees, elephant, incredible birdlife, hippos, crocs, giraffe, black and white colobus monkeys, roan antelope and a variety of small predators and other mammals. Take all your own supplies.