Super User 12 August 2023

Best Travel Guide To Rubondo Island National Park Wildlife in Tanzania

Rubondo Island National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Lake Victoria, Tanzania and the larger of the two Island National parks in Tanzania, the second being Saanane Island National Park. The Island is covered with mixed evergreen and monsoon forests, a few open grasslands, rocky shores, swamps, and sandy beaches.

Rubondo Island National Park is 456,8 Kilometers Square – which is dry land and 220 Kilometers Square is water comprising 11 small islets. The park offers a vast variety of habitats for wildlife including; velvet monkeys, genet cats, spotted-necked otters, hippos, crocodiles, chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, and marshes bucks. The park is also home to a variety of bird species.

Location of Rubondo Island National Park in Tanzania:

The park is located in northwest Tanzania, 150km (About 95 miles) west of Mwanza at the entrance to Emini Pasha Gulf. Rubondo National Park is a haven for waterbirds as well as big animals like elephants. Visitors to these islands will have an opportunity to exercise fishing skills by doing spot fishing.

History and Background of Rubondo Island National Park:

Rubondo Island was made a game reserve in 1965, to provide a sanctuary for animals and later gazetted as a national park in 1977. The native Zinza tribe people who lived on the Island were resettled to neighboring Islands by the Tanzanian government in the 1960s.

Between 1966 and 1969 Professor Bernhard Grzimek from the Frankfurt Zoological Society introduced 16 captive-born chimpanzees to the island. Rescued from zoos and circuses across Europe, these animals were brought over in crates and relocated to Rubondo where they were given a new life in the wild. The chimpanzees clearly loved their freedom and quickly established a healthy breeding troop whose population today numbers over 40 animals.

Following this success, several other mammal species were introduced to the island, including elephants, giraffes, black rhinos, and the rare suni antelope. Unfortunately due to poaching rhinos are no longer found on the island. In 2000, 37 grey parrots that were victims of illegal trade were rescued and released on Rubondo. The parrots rapidly took to their island home and they can now be found all over Rubondo.

Wildlife in Rubondo Island National Park:

Given that it is a small island, Rubondo Island is home to a surprising number of large mammals. Of particular interest are the wild chimpanzees that were introduced in the 1960s. The chance of spotting these is, at present, relatively slim, although we’d expect better sightings as they become more habituated to humans. Researchers are currently in place trying to habituate them and visitors can also play their part in this by participating in what is called the 'Chimpanzee Habituation Experience'.

Other animals in Rubondo Island Park include Hippos, Nile crocodiles, Elephants, Antelopes, Black-and-White colobus monkeys, Vervet monkeys, Sitatunga, Genet, Bushbucks, Giraffe, Warthogs, and many others all perfect for game drives and viewing.

Birding in Rubondo Island National Park:

Rubondo Island is a habitat for large Flocks of African gray parrots, which were once, released on the island, flutter around excitedly and chirp in different tones, Herons, storks, and spoonbills that breed in large numbers on the swampy shores of the Lake, egrets, cormorants, kingfisher, fish eagles plus thousands of Eurasian migratory birds that flock the Island every year.

Fishing on Rubondo Island National Park:

The Island is also a habitat for various fish species such as the Nile perch, Tilapia, and others. Visitors get an opportunity to do spot fishing in the World’s second-largest freshwater Lake. The Island is characterized by various fishing techniques such as trolling, spinning live, fly-fishing, and dead bait all attracting fishing lovers from around the world especially catching one of Africa’s largest water fresh fish, the Nile perch weighing over 100kgs.

Tourist Activities in Rubondo Island National Park:

Rubondo Island National Park Fishing:

Rubondo Island National Park is equipped with a variety of fishing techniques – including; trolling, spinning live and dead bait as well as fly-fishing. Anglers from around the world travel to this Island for the opportunity to reel in a Nile perch, one of Africa’s biggest and most sought-after freshwater fish. However, Rubondo Island practices and supports a strict ‘catch and release policy’. Additional charges and permits may apply.

Rubondo Island National Park Game drives:

Rubondo Island boasts several Indigenous species such as hippo, bushbuck, vervet, sitatunga, crocodiles, elephants, chimpanzee, giraffes, black and white colobus monkeys, suni and grey parrots, buffalos, bushpig, hyrax, warthog, and large spotted genet cat. During your game drive – expect to spot this listed wildlife.

Rubondo Island National Park Bird watching:

East African birdlife is rich and diverse, with over 1,000 species in Tanzania and Kenya together. Approximately over 200 species of indigenous and migrant birds, can be observed either, breeding or passing through the National Park. The Island has an abundance of herons, storks, ibises, egrets, cormorants, kingfishers, and birds of prey. However, it is believed that the park has the highest density of fish eagles in the world.

Rubondo Island National Park Boating and Canoeing:

Guided canoe trips offer a different perspective of the Island and across the quiet inlets as well as cover places that can’t be reached on foot. Paddle yourself or be paddled by a guide as you trace the coast–spotted wildlife both aquatic and terrestrial. However, explore the different channels and lakes of the Rufiji River – surrounded by hippos.

Rubondo Island National Park Chimpanzee trek:

The chimpanzees were introduced as the first-ever attempt to rehabilitate captive chimpanzees back into a wild environment. Their survival to this day remains a testament to the early pioneers who introduced them here half a century ago. However, the chimpanzees are certainly one of the island’s most attractive draws to visitors.

Why visit Rubondo Island, National Park?

The lack of visitors makes Rubondo National Park a tranquil place to relax, with wildlife viewing guaranteed despite the heavy forest.

Visitors can explore the park in a myriad of ways: via boat or canoe, on foot when setting out on a walking safari across Rubondo’s beautiful landscape, or on a traditional game drive. Enjoying a gentle cruise up the channels of the Rufiji River is a highlight for many visitors.

The islands are dotted with dense equatorial forests, and smatterings of open grassland (favored by the area’s resident giraffes), that are surrounded by the papyrus swamps and waterways of Africa’s second-largest lake.

There are also huge swarms of fireflies by the lakeshore come evening time, making quite a spectacle. Visitors can also expect to see sitatungas (swamp-dwelling antelopes) and families of hippos in the bay in front of the Bandas.

How do you get to Rubondo Island?

Rubondo Island can be reached by park boat from two different locations. One option is the boat from Kasenda, a small village near Muganza in Chato District. The other option is the boat from Nkome in Geita District. By airplane, Rubondo Airstrip can be reached with Auric Air or Coastal Aviation.

Accommodation at Rubondo Island National Park:

There are a small number of accommodation options at Rubondo Island NP where visitors can stay during their trip.

Camps:

At Rubondo Island NP itself, there is just one option: Rubondo Island Camp. This eco-friendly boutique lodge has just eight rooms, one fly camp, and specialized stargazing tents offering prolific views of the twinkling night sky.

Bandas:

On the island, other accommodation is available including thatched roof huts (bandas). The cost of staying in these beautiful Bandas overlooking the waters of Lake Victoria starts from $45 per night for self-catering.

Best Time to Visit Rubondo Island, National Park:

The Park can be visited all year around though the best time to visit Rubondo is during the dry season, between June and October. December through to February sees a large number of migrant bird species visit the island so for keen birders this can also be a great time to visit.

Arrange with ULTIMATE WILD SAFARIS to have a memorable experience in the great Islands of Lake Victoria.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mobile: +256 705 087 906 / 760 282 342