ABOUT RUBONDO ISLAND CAMP | RUBONDO NATIONAL PARK | RUBONDO ISLAND CAMPS | ACTIVITIES | SAFARI SURVIVAL GUIDE

The plane soars over Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest lake, its shore stretching across Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. Beneath you, crocodiles swarm over a pebbled island, hundreds of birds squabble and squawk, jostling for food and space on Bird Island. On the horizon, Rubondo comes into view, a vast uninhabited green jewel, home to an incredible ecosystem and astounding diverse wildlife.

Hippos play in the bay, submerging themselves in the cool lake, taking refuge from the sun. A fish eagle glides effortlessly over the sandy beach, swooping down over the water to catch its prey. You stare down into the dense leafy forest canopy, hoping to catch a glimpse of the island’s giraffe, stately elephants and elusive chimpanzees. Ahead, the swamp glistens like an emerald. Your plane circles, approaching the grassy runway for a smooth landing. You’ve arrived.

Welcome to Rubondo Island, Tanzania’s undiscovered treasure. Home to nature, beauty and wonder.

About ARybondo Island Camp
Rubondo Island lies north of Mwanza, close to the Tanzanian border. Charter flights leave Mwanza, Arusha, Nairobi and the Serengeti or alternatively, private boats run from Nkome and Muganza.

The island offers a host of attractions. Between November to March, the forest blooms with beautiful wild flowers. December to November see it play host to migratory birds. The climate is most pleasant from June to August. November sees the start of the short rainy season, stopping in December in time for a Christmas break. From March to April, the long rains begin, renewing life on the island.

Whatever time of year you visit Rubondo, it’s best to pack some insect repellent to keep away the mosquitos and other insects that make their home on the island.

RUBONDO NATIONAL PARK

Rubondo Island was given national park status in 1977. It stretches over 457 square kilometers of diverse environments, dense forest canopies, plains, woodland, papyrus swamps and coastline, home to a staggering array of wildlife. The island hosts over 200 species of bird, both native and passing through as part of their migration routes, nearly 70 different species of butterfly and massively diverse selection of plants and trees, including 40 different species of orchid and wild jasmine.


The park’s game life is no less astonishing. Native species to the island include the rare sitatunga, a species of antelope adapted to marsh and swampy land, which makes it home in relatively few parts of the world, hippos, bushbuck, vervet monkeys, genet cats and crocodiles.

A number of species have been introduced to Rubondo and thrived within the safety of the park. African Grey parrots screech in flocks through the trees, released on the island after their confiscation from poachers. A troop of chimpanzees were released from captivity 50 years ago and have successfully adapted to island life, weaving their nests from grass and wood to sleep in the treetops and roam through the forest. Both the elephants and giraffe population have flourished since their introduction, along with the endangered White Colombus Monkey, with their panda like faces and suni.

Lake Victoria has its own attractions with spotted neck otters and of course, the birdlife and fish. Rubondo Park protects fish breeding grounds, the national park status not only protects Rubondo, but 9 smaller islands near by. World record breaking catches of Nile Perch and Tilapia can be found.

Park Regulations

Do not:
• Disturb animals or birds
• Cause any noise or create a disturbance likely to annoy or offend other visitors
• Pick any flower, cut or destroy any vegetation.
• Discard any litter, burning cigarettes or matches.
• Bring a pet into the park.

Never
• Feed animals

Firearms are not allowed inside the park

RUBONDO ISLAND CAMP



Nestled by the shore of Lake Victoria, complete with the lapping of waves against the sand, Rubondo Island Camp is a short drive from the island’s landing strip, the only camp on the island. Unwind and sink into the tranquility that Rubondo provides.

The camp has ten luxury tented rooms with ensuite bathrooms, hot running water, electricity and a laundry service, despite the remote location. Each room has a private verandah where you can read or relax in peace and watch the bushbuck roam, delicate and graceful through the camp grounds. The camp also has a swimming pool, perfect for a swim during the midday heat.

The restaurant provides good simple food, including fresh fish. Supplies are shipped from Mwanza as food cannot be grown on the island due to its national park status. Eat breakfast in the restaurant and you’re treated to the sight of vervet monkeys scrambling up trees in search of fruit for their own breakfast. Special dietary needs can be easily accommodated, although advance notice is appreciated. A selection of books are available for guests to borrow as well as copies of the studies on the island’s chimpanzees.

The bar is well stocked with a selection of wine, spirits, soft drinks and sodas. Sit out on the wooden deck by the shore and enjoy a sundowner, watch the sunset over the lake, turning the sky into burnished golds and orange, reflected in the waters of Lake Victoria. White egret sit and chatter on the rocks, Egyptian geese paddle serenely and tiny jeweled kingfishers, all glowing blue and orange, flit from rock to rock. Occasionally, hippos swim in the bay, coming up to the shore for a leafy midnight snack, leaving pad prints across the golden sandy beach.

ACTIVITIES

Rubondo offers a host of activities to keep guests entertained.



• Walking Safaris
Take a nature walk in the forest with one of our experienced guides. Creepers and vines twist up the trees and the air is fragrant with the smell of wild jasmine. The forest is alive with antelope, birds, snakes and insects. Learn to identify species of bird, elephant and chimpanzee tracks. Be amazed at Rubondo’s unspoilt idyllic wilderness. The island’s wild flowers are at their best between November and March.


• Boating Safaris
Boating trips are an ideal way to see the best of the island and its water based attractions. Hippo, crocodiles, otters, fish and birds all thrive along the coastline and you can even see elephants walking across the beaches. A packed lunch can be arranged for those who want to spend the day on the boat.

• Game Drives
Explore the island by landrover, trekking through the forest, to the open hill land. The panoramic scenery is breathtaking and provides the chance to catch a glimpse of the park’s elephant and giraffe.

• Fishing
Rubondo is a fishing paradise. Sit on the rocks next to camp’s shoreside deck, and watch the fish jump onto your line, whether you’re a novice or experienced angler. Boat fishing and fly fishing are also available, to catch fish as large as a man and there’s always the chance of a record breaking catch on full or half day fishing excursions.

• Birding
Birding is one of the main attractions to the island for many. Trips to Bird Island can easily be arranged, a once in a lifetime experience for those with a passion for birds. Alternatively, sit at the lookout point and watch the sea eagles glide over thermals in search of food. December to February is the best time of year to see the migratory birds.

SAFARI SIRVIVAL GUIDE

When choosing a company to go on safari, do your research. Ask for references from other guests; look for companies that have bush trained guides and a good reputation. It’s the responsibility of the guide and driver to keep you safe and take you to the best areas to see wildlife.

Nothing is guaranteed when it comes to safari, you may have three days of seeing nothing but on the fourth day, you see something amazing that makes your trip worthwhile. Be patient, follow the instructions of your guide and wait for that magical moment.

The best times of day to see wildlife are early in the morning and in the late afternoon. During the midday heat, animals, like people, take refuge from the sun and tend to retreat to somewhere cool for an afternoon nap.

Safari trails and roads can be dusty and bumpy, be prepared for the road massage, bouncing around in your seat. A scarf can help protect you against the dust and some wipes are useful to keep you feeling fresh.

Take sunglasses, suncream and a hat, wildlife watching in the heat quickly becomes frustrating if you start to get sunburn. Drink water to keep yourself hydrated.

Dress sensibly! If you’re going on a walking safari, wear strong walking shoes, rather than sandals. The bush is full of rocks, thorn trees and animals creeping at ankle level. Long trousers and a long sleeved shirt will help to keep the bug bites away andit’s advisable to bring insect repellant and take anti malarial tablets.

In the evenings, when the sun goes down, Tanzania can get cold. Pack a fleece or sweater to wrap up in the evening, especially if you’re going out on a night drive.

Don’t forget your camera, with extra batteries and film. You never know what you might see, a hippo submerged in the bay, an elephant strolling along the beach, accompanied by its calf, egrets swooping down into the lake to grab a fish or even chimpanzees swinging from tree to tree, using creepers and vines.