Rubondo Island National Park
Rubondo Island National Park is off the Tourist Radar and Is definitely the best-kept secret – ideal for discerning travellers!
Located southwest of Lake Victoria lies Rubondo Island National Park, an extraordinary wildlife sanctuary. It’s Africa’s largest island national park at 26km long and up to 10 km wide. More than 75 per cent of the island is covered in pristine equatorial rainforest. Since the 1960s, the island has been a haven for wild chimpanzee, sitatunga antelope, elephant and giraffe. Rubondo Island National Park
Things to See & Do In Rubondo Island National Park
- The chimpanzee habituation programme
- Rubondo Island Forest walks
- Boating safaris
Read more about things to see & do on Rubondo Island.
Best time to visit Rubondo Island National Park
It is possible to the island all-year-round. However, the best time is in the dry season from June to September. This is also the best time for walking, as the trails are easier to navigate when they are dry.
The rainy season from November until December is relatively short, but there may still be the odd afternoon shower in January and February. Forest trails can be difficult to navigate when it’s been raining.
For birders, the best time to visit is between December and March, when the migrant flocks arrive.
Passport & Visa Requirements for entry into Tanzania
Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local Tanzania embassy to verify the information below is current.
Getting to Rubondo Island National Park
With its own airstrip, Rubondo can be accessed via Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Arusha and the Serengeti. Travellers can also fly directly from Kigali to easily combine this wild island escape with an epic gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Things to See & Do at Rubondo Island National Park
- The chimpanzee habituation programme
The chimpanzee habituation programme involves chimp treks, which are available for travellers aged 15 years and over. encounters with the chimpanzees of Rubondo Island cannot be guaranteed, due to their numbers relative to the size of the island, but every trek provides exciting opportunities to see lots of other wildlife that roams the Island.
- Rubondo Island Forest walks
Forest walks can consist of anything from an hour-long walk to a multi-day excursion. The multi-day excursions can be tailored to include staying in a well-equipped treehouse or in a lakeside fly camp – something worth experiencing while on your trip to Rubondo island.
- Boating safaris
Boat trips are possible too, and catch-and-release fishing can be enjoyed from a boat, from the shores of Lake Victoria, or from Rubondo Island Camp’s site.
- Birding Safaris
Both off-shore and on-shore birding are possible. There are up to 300 bird species including marabou stork, pied kingfisher, and impressive concentrations of fish eagles that can be sighted on these birding trips. The best time to go birding on Rubondo Island is during the months December to February.
- Children’s activities
The children’s activities are fabulous – they include animal tracking and guided nature walks.
The best time to visit Rubondo Island
It is possible to the island all-year-round. However, the best time is in the dry season from June to September. This is also the best time for walking, as the trails are easier to navigate when they are dry.
The rainy season from November until December is relatively short, but there may still be the odd afternoon shower in January and February. Forest trails can be difficult to navigate when it’s been raining.
For birders, the best time to visit is between December and March, when the migrant flocks arrive.
Passport & Visa Requirements for entry into Tanzania
Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local Tanzania embassy to verify the information below is current.
Getting to Rubondo Island
With its own airstrip, Rubondo can be accessed via Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Arusha and the Serengeti. Travellers can also fly directly from Kigali to easily combine this wild island escape with an epic gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
