The park is lies on Lake Victoria in the southwest. It’s one of Tanzania’s parks that lie on this Lake. The park is situated in the western side of Mwanza at 150km. It covers 237skms but it has more 11 islets and these cover 456.8skms. The lake is elevated at 1134m and on Rubondo Island, Masa Hills lie on a raised ground at 350m from the water level in the south, and 3-10km wide. The park is composed evergreen and semi deciduous forest, with various tree and plant species. This forest is composed of woodlands, grassland, and acacia trees. There rocky areas and beautiful sandy beaches, with papyrus swamps and date palms at the eastern part of the lake shore. The once game reserve since 1965 was gazetted as a National park in 1977 is uninhabited. There various bird species, wildlife inclusive of primates, among other features. The Park is frequently visited for the flora and fauna it possesses. Await to have a safari of a lifetime.
How to access the Rubondo Island National Park
You can reach the park by water and air transport.
Water Transport– you can board a boat from two locations that is: Kasenda, a small village in Chato District and Nkome in Geita District, in Tanzania. You can board a bus from Mwanza to Geita or Nkome.
Air Transport– You can take a flight in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Arusha, Serengeti or Kigali to Rubondo Airstrip. It can be reached with Auric or Coastal Aviation. Alternatively, entrust us to handle everything for you.
What to Carry for a Safari to Rubondo Island National Park, Tanzania
On your visit to the park, you will be required to carry these items: a good camera with spare batteries, a hat, drinking water, sunscreen, snacks, sun glasses, warm clothes, light pants and shirts, a guide book, a pair of binoculars, a mosquito net, gloves, a note book, hiking boots or shoes, a back pack, (needs to be waterproof), insect repellent, sportswear, among other things you might need. In case there some items you forgot to carry, worry not for they can be hired at an affordable fee.
What things to do in the Rubondo Island National Park
Game viewing
The park has other wild animals that is: elephants, hippos, giraffes, sitatunga antelopes, among others. These will be seen during a game drive or nature walk or canoeing. The park is an island that will expose to nature of all kinds and total relaxation.
Primate Trekking
The park has enough primate creatures even though they haven’t been fully habituated. These include wild chimpanzee, vervet monkeys, white and black colobus monkeys, among others. The introduction of these creatures has attracted many tourist to the park.
Fishing
This is what of the highlight of the park. Most of the visitors don’t miss this activity. Some carry out sport fishing, or catch and release fishing. One this activity a fishing tour guide will lead you. This activity is carried out in designated places, with the recommended fishing gears you will need to have permits to enjoy it. The activity is enjoyable for you will see the success of your efforts. The lake is endowed with fish and we are sure your efforts won’t be in vain.
Canoeing and boat rides
These will be enjoyed on Lake Victoria. These rides will expose you to the breathtaking ends of this beautiful lake and the tropical dense forest, which lie on the beautiful hills of the island that are perfect grounds for a wilderness experience. These are arranged in the mornings and afternoons. You will also see birds and wildlife along the way. You ill paddle yourself or be paddled by the guide and sit back and enjoy.
Guided nature walks
The park is better explored on foot. 80% of the Park’s land is composed of a tropical dense forest. In this you will enjoy the pleasant sights and sounds of birds, wildlife and primates which have a home in this park. You will be exposed to the vegetation of the park, and more that the park harbors. You guide will tag along with you to give you protection. Await to have a glimpse of sunbirds, fish eagles, elephants, giraffes, hippos, reptiles, among other creatures.
Bird watching
If you’re a bird lover and haven’t visited this park, you’re missing a lot. The park is known for having huge numbers of bird species. You will be able to see a lot of water birds that have a home in the park and also migrants that visit the park. Target the peak season of this activity and you will be rewarded with clear views of the most unique creatures on Africa and European continent. Await to see grey parrots, African fish eagles, ibises, egrets, herons, Kingfishers, flamingoes, sun birds, and vultures, open billed, marabou storks, among others.
When to visit the Park on Tour
At any time in the year one can visit the park. But some months are better than others. The park is most enjoyed during the dry season between June and October.
Dry Season (June to October)
During this season, rains are rare and the sun dominates most of the days. The grasslands in the park are short and trees aren’t so thick. The period from June to August registers a lot of animals that can be seen.
The trails in the park are passable during this season, also water activities are enjoyed too since the sun is out. It should be noted however that, weather can change any time. So visitors are advised to be equipped with rain coats.
Wet Season (November to May)
The season is composed of short, long and sometimes heavy rains. The best scenery in the park is during this time. There many butterflies, flowers and a lot of green vegetation. You will have an opportunity of seeing the 40 species of orchids on the island.
Primates and wildlife can also be seen when it’s not raining. Fishing and other activities can also be enjoyed during this time after the rains.
The season registers the peak season of bird watching when migratory birds from Europe visit the park in December and January. This is the low season of the park, prices for tickets and accommodation are discounted. From March, it’s very wet in the park, and trails can be hard to penetrate.
Attractions or What to see on Rubondo Island National Park Holiday
Wildlife
The park is a home for wildlife especially elephants, Roan antelopes, rhinoceros, suni antelopes, giraffes, sitatunga, hippopotamus, bushbuck, genet, pythons, bush pigs, among others. The park is one of the few places in Africa to see the rare sitatunga antelopes. You will enjoy sights of these and more in the dense forest or along the shores of the lake taking water. You will take videos and photos of them as they graze.
Primates
Although the park is small, it surprisingly has a number of these beautiful creatures. The wild chimpanzees were introduced by Germans in the 1960s and since then their numbers have increased, though not full habituated. The park has ongoing programs of habituating these creatures so that visitors can spend some time with them, as it’s the case in other parks. The park also has black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys among other species. These will be enjoyed on a guided safari in the forest.
Birds
The park has 300 bird species which can be seen once you visit the park. There a number of them which have a home in the park and also more birds that visit the park in the early wet season. Among the many you will see, you won’t miss the likes of grey parrots, African fish eagles, spoonbills, paradise flycatcher, ibises, egrets, herons, Kingfishers, flamingoes, sun birds, vultures, open billed, marabou storks, among others. Carry your binoculars to enjoy these creatures and the guide will direct you.
Lake Victoria
Await too have a wonderful time on this fresh water lake. The park is bordered by this lake, which is a must-see. You will enjoy activities like fishing, canoeing, boat rides, and the sunset in the evening while on the lake it’s a beautiful thing to see.
Scenery
Since the park is an island you will be amazed with what you will see during your hike. You will enjoy the views of the second largest fresh water lake, the park’s land is adventurous to explore and you will be exposed to unique plantations and trees, birds and wildlife too.
Accommodation on a Safari to Tanzania
Within the park there’s a youth hostel and bandas a few meters from the park, but, you will have a variety of accommodation in categories of luxury, midrange and budget in the neighboring towns. Whichever category you choose, you will have wonderful service and comfortable stay.
Luxury
- Rubondo Island Lodge
- Rubondo Island Camp, located close to the Park, south of Lake Victoria.
Midrange
- Lenny Hotel
- Gombo Palace, all located in Geita
Budget
- Nevana Lodge
- Joy star Hotel
- New KM Hotel
- Mpiga Executive Lodge. All these are located in Geita
In conclusion, contact us for a memorable safari in this park.