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Scenes From Rubondo Island National Park
Extraordinary African Safaris
A forested island sanctuary on Lake Victoria — a place of introduced chimpanzees, shy sitatunga, world-class fishing, and deep, watery silence.
Rubondo is an island park — a 457-square-kilometre sanctuary of forest, grassland, and beaches set in the south-western corner of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. Roughly four-fifths forested, it is a green, watery world with a character entirely its own and very few visitors.
Its story is one of rewilding. From the 1960s the island became a refuge for relocated animals, including chimpanzees rescued from captivity in Europe; their descendants now live wild in the forest, and a long-term habituation programme is opening them gradually to visitors. Elephants, giraffes, and sitatunga — a secretive, semi-aquatic antelope Rubondo is famous for — were introduced or thrive here too.
Rubondo rewards travellers who want wilderness without crowds and a different rhythm. Days mix forest walks and chimp tracking with boat trips, birding among hundreds of species, and some of the finest Nile perch fishing in Africa. It is reached by light aircraft or boat from Mwanza, a natural extension to a Serengeti safari that exits through the Western Corridor.
Rubondo is reached by light aircraft to the island’s airstrip or by boat from Mwanza and the lakeshore. A small lodge and camp serve the park, and activities centre on forest walks, chimp tracking, boat safaris, birding, and fishing. It works beautifully as a wilderness extension to a northern Serengeti safari that ends in the Western Corridor.
Tracking chimps through island forest in the morning, fishing for Nile perch at sunset, and not another soul in sight. Rubondo is Tanzania’s best-kept secret. — Guest review, TripAdvisor
Firm forest trails, easier chimp tracking, and calm conditions for boating and fishing. The most reliable window.
Best overallWarm and clear between the rains, with excellent birding and good fishing. A fine second window.
Best for birdingBrief storms green the island and migrant birds arrive. Quiet and lush.
Best for solitudeHeavier rain makes forest trails muddy and the lake choppier. The greenest, quietest months.
Quietest months
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