Tanzania safari in Rubondo Island National Park
Rubondo Island National Park is located in the south-west of Lake Victoria corner; therefore, this park is the largest island National Park on the continent It’s made up of 11 islands and covers approximately 250 square kilometers overall, with a length of 26 km and a width that varies from 3 to 10 km from Mwanza town of Tanzania. Rubondo Island became a game reserve in 1965 which its main function was to provide a sanctuary for wild animals. It is later gazetted as a national park in 1977 and covers an area of 456.8km2 and also established by a fishing community until 1965, when 400 islanders were resettled on the mainland and other islets, and their former home was named a game reserve.
Walking through the dense forest, the park offers you a chance to see a lot of butterflies, orchids that grow on the island and bird species. The park also has variety of habitats inhabited with wildlife including Velvet monkeys, Genet cats, Spotted necked Otters, Hippos, Crocodiles, Chimpanzees, Elephants and Giraffes. The park has a great variety of tourism products to choose ranging from walking safari, game drive, bird watching
Getting to Rubondo Island National Park is quite straightforward.
By Boat: You can take a park boat to the island from two main spots. One option is to catch a boat from Kasenda, a small village close to Muganza in the Chato District. Alternatively, you can take a boat from Mwanza that goes to Kageye Park Headquarters or from Nkome in the Geita District.
By Airplane: There are scheduled and charter flights available from various cities such as Arusha, Bukoba, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, and Mwanza. You can easily book a flight with Auric Air or Coastal to reach the Rubondo Airstrip.
By Road: If you prefer to drive, you can make your way from Mwanza to Muganza, which is roughly 270 kilometers away.
Climate
Rubondo Island has a pleasant, relatively cloudless Dry season (June to October) and a humid Wet season (November to May). Temperatures are quite consistent throughout the year. Daytime temperatures are around 26°C/79°F, and it cools down at night to around 18°C/64°F.
Tourist attractions in Rubondo Island National Park
Wildlife
Rubondo Island National Park is known as the jewel of Victoria, the park houses attractive flora and fauna including the endemic sitatunga and elephant. Other animals you might spot in this stunning national park includes, hippos, otters, bushbucks, mongoose, suni antelopes, civet, genet, lions, leopards, giraffe and black rhino. The park is also home to primate species such as primates such as chimpanzees, velvet monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys among others and an amazing range of butterflies.
Birdlife
Rubondo National Park habours different bird species most especially the migratory birds such as White-faced Whistling Duck, Spur-winged Goose, Ring-necked Dove, Freckled Nightjar, African Palm Swift, Yellowbill, African Emerald Cuckoo, Allen’s Gallinule, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, African Openbill, Marabou, Hamerkop, Black-headed Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Purple Heron, Intermediate Egret, African Spoonbill, Hadada Ibis, African Spoonbill, Long-tailed Cormorant, Great Cormorant, African Darter and among others these have attracted many visitors to Rubondo Island national park
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is a standout feature of Rubondo Island National Park. It’s the biggest tropical lake in the world and plays a key role in the environment and culture of the area. Its wide waters are full of life and surrounded by beautiful islands. The lake is crucial for the local people, offering fish and other resources, and it also supports various wildlife, including many types of birds. Additionally, the lake creates a stunning view for visitors, with its deepest spot, the Irumo Gulf, located within the park.
Cultural sites
Rubondo National Park is home to several cultural sites that draw many visitors, such as Maji Matakatifu, Altera, Solo, and Ntungamirwe. These locations preserve remnants of the Zinza tribe in Tanzania. They are important for their spiritual significance and showcase traditional lifestyles and beliefs. When visitors explore these areas, they have the opportunity to engage with local tribes, who share a deep connection with the land. This interaction provides insightful perspectives on the customs, arts, and stories that have shaped their culture over the years.
Attractive beaches
Rubondo Island National Park is known for its stunning scenery and a variety of wildlife, but it also boasts some breathtaking beaches along the sparkling shores of Lake Victoria. Among these are the lovely Fly Catcher, Mchangani, and Michicoco beaches, which give visitors a unique view of this freshwater lake. The soft, sandy shores create a peaceful space perfect for unwinding and reflecting, making it an ideal getaway for those looking for calm and serenity
Tourism activities
Game viewing
Game viewing at Rubondo Island National Park are a highlight for visitors on a Tanzania safari. This park is teeming with amazing wildlife, providing a fantastic opportunity to see animals up close. As you drive through the thick forests and open areas, you might spot a variety of creatures that live there, including elephants, hippos, and sitatunga. During your game-viewing safari, you’ll also encounter bushbuck, civet, genet, spot-necked otter, Nile crocodile, giraffe, black rhino, black-and-white colobus monkey, roan and suni antelopes, serrated hinged terrapin, an amazing range of butterflies, and over 300 types of bird including marabou stork, pied kingfisher, and impressive concentrations of fish eagles. Sadly, the black rhinos have been poached to extinction, and the roan antelopes haven’t thrived for reasons that remain unclear. This experience is sure to create lasting memories of your time in the park.
Nature walk
Visitors to Rubondo Island National Park have the opportunity to enjoy nature walks through the forest along various trails. Some popular routes include Mamba Point to Mlaga Kageye Road, Maji Mtakatifu to Mchangani, as well as paths around Pongo Camp and the airstrip. These walks allow tourists to encounter a variety of wildlife, such as zebras and elephants, as well as an array of plant life.
These forest walks can range from a quick hour-long stroll to longer adventures lasting several days. For those opting for the multi-day experience, accommodation can include cozy tree houses or camps by the lakeside.
Chimpanzee habituation
Chimpanzee habituation at Rubondo Island National Park provides a wonderful chance to get up close with one of our closest relatives in the animal world. This park hosts a unique group of chimpanzees, whose ancestors were brought to the island in the 1960s. The habituation process helps these wild chimpanzees get used to the presence of humans, allowing both researchers and visitors to observe their interesting behaviors in a natural environment. During a chimpanzee habituation safari, you’ll trek through the island’s diverse forests and might also spot other wildlife, such as velvet monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, as well as fascinating creatures like large spotted genets, bush pigs, hyraxes, giraffes, bushbucks, mongooses, and a variety of colorful birds. When you finally encounter these smart primates, you will witness them engaging in their everyday activities like grooming, playing, nursing, socializing, and communicating with one another.
Boat cruise
A boat cruise safari in Rubondo Island National Park is a peaceful and engaging way to see the stunning sights of Lake Victoria. This guided canoe trip offers a different perspective of the island and across the quite unlet as well as covers places that can’t be reached on foot. Visitors can cruise along the lake, spotting bird species such as herons, stork, ibises, egrets, cormorant, kingfishers and birds of prey. Visitors can cruise along the lake, spotting animals such a hippos, crocodiles and birds, while taking in the peaceful and serene atmosphere of the park.
Bird watching
Rubondo Island National Park is a paradise for bird lovers, featuring more than 300 different bird species. During your birdwatching adventure in the park, you’ll have the opportunity to see a wide range of vibrant and colorful birds, including, Yellowbill, African Emerald Cuckoo, Allen’s Gallinule, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, African Openbill, Marabou, Hamerkop, Black-headed Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Purple Heron, Intermediate Egret, African Spoonbill, Hadada Ibis, African Spoonbill, Long-tailed Cormorant, Great Cormorant, African Darter, Long-toed Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing, African Jacana, Common Sandpiper, Osprey and more
Sport fishing
The park sits on the shores of Lake Victoria, a great spot for fishing. Rubondo Island is equipped with a variety of fishing techniques including trolling, spinning live, dead bait and fly fishing. While you’re on your fishing adventure in the park, you’ll get to experience catching different types of fish by hand, such as Nile perch, tilapia, and catfish, all while taking in the beautiful sights of the lake and the nearby islands.
Best time to visit Rubondo Island National Park
There is a bimodal rainfall with short rains from October to December and long rains from March to May. The average temperatures is 22C all year around (25-32C day time, 15-20C Night time. The bet time to visit Rubondo Island National Park is during the dry season, which typically falls between June to September. During these months, the weather is pleasant with clear skies and little to no rain, making it easier to explore the island and enjoy outdoor activities such as game drives, bird-watching and boat safari.
Visiting Rubondo Island National Park during the dry season also offers the opportunity to witness the diverse wildlife that inhabits the island. From African elephants and giraffes to crocodiles and hippos, there is so shortage of unique and fascination creatures to encounter during thus time of the year.
Where to stay in Rubondo Island National Park
The park has variety of accommodation facilities including lodges, cottages, public and special campsites. Some of these accommodation options includes as Rubondo Island Camp and Rubondo Island lodge.
