Rubondo Island
Discover the hidden gem of Rubondo, nestled in the southwest corner of Lake Victoria. This sanctuary of natural beauty spans over 240 square km, offering a remarkable experience to all who seek it. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking forest and find peace and serenity along the sandy lakeshore beaches.
Rubondo is a one-of-a-kind safari destination that provides shelter to small groups of chimpanzees. Visitors can also spot other animals such as elephants, hippos, giraffes, crocodiles, marshbucks, bushbucks, black and white colobus monkeys, Vervet monkeys, and otters. Occasionally, you may also come across Dikdiks, marsh mongoose, genet, and colobus monkeys in the park.
For bird enthusiasts, Rubondo is a paradise with almost 430 bird species. You can spot various bird species such as bee-eaters, storks, egrets, cormorants, kingfishers, hornbills, flycatchers, ibises, herons, and fish eagles.
Features & Wildlife Species
AREA ACTIVITIES
- Chimp trekking and primate safaris
- Game viewing
- Bird watching
- Fishing
- Boat tours
- Forest walks
- Relaxing on sandy lakeshore beaches
WHEN TO VISIT
- The best time to visit Rubondo Island is between Junes to October, Mid December to February. Mid November to early December can also be good time depending on the rain season.
WHAT TO SEE
- Small groups of chimpanzees
- Different species of monkeys
- Giraffes, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, bushbucks and otters, Dikdiks, marsh mongoose among others
- Timeless forest, open woodland to papyrus marshlands
- Lake Victoria with sandy lakeshore beaches.
HOW TO GET THERE
- By flight: The easiest way to reach Rubondo is flying directly from the Serengeti to the island, which takes about 40min. Rubondo can also be accessed by taking a scheduled flight from Mwanza.
