Island Chimpanzees
Track chimpanzees introduced to the island decades ago, now living wild in the forest.
Tanzania National Parks
Rubondo Island National Park
An evergreen island of rainforest, sandy beaches and quiet bays in Lake Victoria, home to chimpanzees, sitatunga antelope and countless fish eagles.
- Location
- 150 km west of Mwanza
- Known For
- Island chimpanzees & birds
- Size
- 457 km²
- Experience
- Island safari
Discover Rubondo
An island sanctuary in Lake Victoria.
Rubondo Island National Park was established in 1977 and covers 457 km², of which the main island makes up 240 km². It also protects 11 smaller islets, none much larger than 2 km². The island lies about 150 km west of Mwanza in the southwestern corner of Lake Victoria.
The main island measures 28 km from north to south and 10 km wide. Closed-canopy lowland forest covers about 80% of the island, with acacia woodland, grassland, rocky areas and sandy beaches creating a pleasant climate, with temperatures rarely falling outside 20 to 25°C.
Why Rubondo
Africa's largest island national park.
Rubondo offers a rare combination of forest, lake and wildlife, far from the usual safari routes.
Fish Eagles
The African fish eagle is the park's emblem and is seen perching and calling around every bay.
Sitatunga
A shy, water-loving antelope often seen in the swamps and along the shore.
Lake Activities
Fishing, boat trips and swimming at the beaches in front of the lodge and camp.
Location
Where is Rubondo Island National Park?
Rubondo lies in the southwestern part of Lake Victoria, about 150 km west of Mwanza. It can be reached by boat from the mainland or by charter flight to the island's airstrip.
Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa by area, surrounds the island. Swimming is reputedly safe at the beaches in front of the lodge and camp, as the area is free of bilharzia, but crocodiles occasionally pass, so care is always needed.
When to visit
Every season tells a different Rubondo story.
The park is worth visiting all year round, with the driest months the most comfortable.
Dry Season
Pleasant weather, easier forest walks and good chimpanzee tracking.
Short Dry Spell
Warm, dry weather and excellent birdlife.
Short Rains
Occasional showers and lush forest; good birding.
Long Rains
The wettest period; some camps close.
What is the best month to visit Rubondo?
The driest months are January to February, June and September.
Dry and warm, with excellent birdlife.
One of the driest months, ideal for forest walks.
Rains begin; the forest is lush.
Wet season; some accommodation may close.
Rains ease towards the end of the month.
Dry season begins, with pleasant weather.
Good conditions for chimpanzee tracking and fishing.
Dry and pleasant, with calm lake water.
One of the driest months, ideal for all activities.
Short rains begin; good birdwatching.
Occasional showers and lush forest.
Green and pleasant, with migratory birds present.
Explore the area
Discover the different faces of Rubondo.
Forest, swamps, bays and beaches make up the island.
InteriorLowland ForestClosed-canopy forest covering most of the island, home to chimpanzees and forest birds.
ShorelineBays & BeachesSandy beaches and quiet bays where fish eagles perch and boats depart.
SwampsPapyrus SwampsWetlands where sitatunga antelope hide among the reeds.
IsletsThe 11 IsletsSmall surrounding islands that are important breeding sites for waterbirds.
Wildlife
An island of forest and water life.
The park is rich in both plants and animals, and its emblem, the African fish eagle, is commonly seen perched around the bays. Sitatunga, bushbuck, hippos, vervet monkeys and introduced species such as chimpanzees, giraffes and elephants live on the island.
Birdlife is exceptional, with herons, kingfishers, cormorants and migratory birds gathering along the shoreline and on the islets.
8 animals to look for
Chimpanzee
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Forest interior
Introduced in the 1960s, the island's chimpanzees now live wild in the forest.
1 / 8
African fish eagle
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Bays and shoreline
The park emblem, seen and heard around every bay.
2 / 8
Sitatunga
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Papyrus swamps and the shoreline
A shy, water-loving antelope with splayed hooves.
3 / 8
Hippo
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Lake shallows
Seen along the shoreline and in quiet bays.
4 / 8
Nile crocodile
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Shoreline
Occasionally seen basking along the shore.
5 / 8
Bushbuck
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Forest edges
A shy antelope of the forest.
6 / 8
Vervet monkey
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Forest edges and shoreline
Common around the beaches.
7 / 8
Giraffe
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Grassland areas
Introduced to the island and occasionally seen.
8 / 8
An Island Safari
Explore by foot and by boat.
Rubondo is best explored slowly: walk forest trails in search of chimpanzees, glide around the shoreline by boat watching fish eagles and hippos, or try catch-and-release fishing for the legendary Nile perch.
With so few visitors, the island feels like a private sanctuary in the middle of Africa's largest lake.
Safaris to 中文
Rubondo & Lake Victoria safaris
Itineraries that include Rubondo Island, often combined with the Serengeti or Mwanza.
Tanzania · 8 days
8-Day Western Circuit: Saanane Island, Rubondo & Serengeti
Rubondo Island · Serengeti
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 12 days
12-Day Western Circuit: Saanane, Rubondo, Gombe & Mahale
Rubondo Island · Kigoma · Gombe · Mahale Mountains
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 8 days
8-Day Western Circuit: Saanane, Rubondo & Gombe Stream
Rubondo Island · Gombe
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 10 days
10-Day Western Circuit: Rubondo, Gombe & Mahale
Rubondo Island · Mahale Mountains · Gombe
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Stay in 中文
Where to stay on Rubondo
From simple park bandas to a luxury lakeside camp.
Silver tier
Rubondo Island, TanzaniaRubondo Island BandasSimple self-catering bandas just two kilometres from the park headquarters, the most affordable way to experience RubondBudget park bandasView lodge
Gold tier
Rubondo Island, TanzaniaRubondo Island Tree HouseA magical sleep-out high in the forest canopy, with the sounds of the island all around you.Canopy sleep-outView lodge
Platinum tier
Rubondo Island, TanzaniaRubondo Island CampThe island's only luxury camp: eight lakeside chalets in a private corner of Africa's largest island national park.Luxury island campView lodge
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Usually replies within minutesHeritage
The story behind Rubondo.
Rubondo was established as a game reserve in 1965 to provide a sanctuary for animals, and several species, including chimpanzees rescued from zoos in Europe, were introduced to the island in the 1960s.
It became a national park in 1977, protecting the island's forests, swamps and wildlife. Today it remains one of Tanzania's most peaceful and least visited parks.
Is Rubondo worth visiting?
Yes. It offers chimpanzee tracking, superb birdlife, fishing and an island atmosphere far from the crowds.
How do I get to Rubondo?
By boat from the mainland near Mwanza, or by charter flight to the island airstrip.
Can I swim on Rubondo?
Swimming is reputedly safe at the beaches near the lodge and camp, but crocodiles occasionally pass by, so take care.
When is the best time to visit?
The park can be visited year-round; the driest months are January to February, June and September.
What can I do on Rubondo?
Chimpanzee tracking, birdwatching, forest walks, boat trips, fishing and swimming.
Can Rubondo be combined with the Serengeti?
Yes. Rubondo is a short flight from the Serengeti and pairs well with a northern circuit safari.
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