Rubondo National Park
Rubondo National Park is one of the two national parks situated on an island in Lake Victoria, the other being Saanane Island National Park. Rubondo Island National Park is situated in the southwestern quadrant of Lake Victoria in Tanzania, within the Geita region, approximately 150 km (95 miles) west of Mwanza, with an area of 456.8 km². Rubondo Island National Park was founded in 1965. Rubondo Island National Park is predominantly forested, with 80% of its area covered by woodlands, making it one of the most adventurous parks to explore in Tanzania. Rubondo Island National Park comprises four volcanic hills adorned with semi-deciduous woods.
Tourist Attractions in Rubondo Island National Park.
Bird species.
Rubondo Island National Park is home to over 300 bird species and 40 orchid species that attract vibrant butterflies. The park is celebrated for its migratory birds, with notable species including the African fishing eagle, kingfishers, egrets, ibises, herons, storks, and numerous other water birds.
Wildlife.
Rubondo National Park is home to various indigenous species, including hippopotamuses, bushbucks, vervet monkeys, sitatungas, crocodiles, elephants, chimpanzees, giraffes, black and white colobus monkeys, sunis, grey parrots, buffaloes, bush pigs, hyraxes, warthogs, and giant spotted genet cats.
Cultural sites.
Rubondo Island National area features significant cultural sites that attract tourists, such Ntungamirwe, Maji Matakatifu, Altare, and Solo, which collectively illustrate the lives of the indigenous inhabitants of the area.
Activities conducted in Rubondo National Park.
Habituation of chimpanzees.
Rubondo Island National Park is home to a unique group of chimpanzees, whose ancestors were introduced in the 1960s. In the park, if you like to engage in this conservation initiative as a distinguished member of the habituation team, you will facilitate the acclimatization of chimpanzees to human presence, enabling them to see humans closely in their natural habitat.
Guided walking safari.
Rubondo Island National Park provides guided treks through unspoiled rainforests, customized for each visitor. These excursions vary from one-hour strolls to full-day or multi-day hikes, which may include accommodations in an exclusive treehouse or a fly camp on the beach. This is undoubtedly the most effective method to enjoy the marvels of Rubondo Island National Park.
Expedition in the jungle.
Rubondo Island National Park offers jungle safaris, conducted by skilled wilderness rangers via boat and open jeeps. Visitors can appreciate the stunning landscapes, diverse vegetation, and abundant avian and microfauna within the park.
Canoe expedition.
The canoe safari is an activity conducted in the park to explore the serene and uncharted regions of Rubondo Island National Park, allowing participants to experience this extraordinary nature from the water.
Fishing Safaris
Rubondo Island National Park offers diverse fishing techniques, including trolling, spinning with live and dead bait, and fly-fishing. Anglers globally visit this island to catch the Nile perch, one of Africa’s largest and most coveted freshwater fish; however, the park enforces a stringent catch-and-release policy.
Bird sight.
Rubondo Island National Park offers the premier birding safari destination in Tanzania, featuring over 300 avian species, including numerous migratory birds. The most prominent species include egrets, African fishing eagles, kingfishers, ibises, herons, storks, and various other waterfowl that inhabit the island’s shores. The tourists can identify several species while birdwatching in the park.
Game Drive
Rubondo Island National Park is home to a diverse array of animal species, including hippopotamuses, bushbucks, vervet monkeys, sitatungas, crocodiles, elephants, chimpanzees, giraffes, black and white colobus monkeys, sunis, grey parrots, buffaloes, and bush pigs. During game drives, guests have the opportunity to observe these species up close, creating memorable experiences in Rubondo.
Accommodation options on Rubondo Island National Park.
Rubondo Island Camp is the sole appropriate tourist lodging in Rubondo Island National Park. This exceptionally comfortable deluxe safari tier 2 camp has eight lakeside cottages and a tree house, providing tourists with significant seclusion, as the cottages are situated between 30 and 65 feet apart.
Best time to visit Rubondo Island National Park.
Rubondo Island National Park features an average temperature range of 66 to 80°F (19 to 27°C), providing a pleasant climate year-round. Humidity is predominantly found in the forests that encompass most of the park, with the most favorable months for visitation being June through September.
Entrance fees of Rubondo Island national park.
| Category | JULY-JUNE | ||
| EA (Tshs) | Non EA Citizen (USD) | Expatriate/Residents (USD) | |
| Of above the age of 16 years | 5000 | 30 | 15 |
| Between the age of 5 to 15 years | 2000 | 10 | 5 |
| Children below the age of 5 years. | Free | Free | Free |
Directions to Rubondo Island National Park.
Rubondo National Park is accessible by air and car from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, or Zanzibar.
By Flight means.
Air travel is the most expedient mode of transportation to access Rubondo Island National Park, with a direct trip from Kilimanjaro Airport to Mwanza Airport taking 55 minutes to get at the park.
Definition of “By Road.”
The distance from Arusha to Rubondo Island National Park is 552 km, and the journey takes roughly 4 hours and 10 minutes.
Rubondo Island National Park is the largest island national park, measuring 26 kilometers in length and up to 10 kilometers in width, with over 75 percent of the island enveloped in unspoiled equatorial rainforest. Since the 1960s, the island has served as a sanctuary for wild chimpanzees, sitatunga antelopes, elephants, giraffes, and numerous other species.
