Rubondo Island
Rubondo Island is Tanzania’s answer to The Garden of Eden and a truly special place to explore and experience. Located far from anywhere, on the banks of Lake Victoria, this isn’t the easiest place to get to but there are direct flights from the Serengeti which works particularly well and offers an alternative to the traditional safari and Zanzibar beach combination. The island, which is 26km long by around 10km wide is more than 75% lush forest and is practically uninhabited. This has been part of a ground-breaking chimpanzee rehabilitation programme since the 1960’s. Helping to continue the chimpanzee habituation programme will no doubt be a highlight and a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you explore the forest, with your knowledgeable guide, following the chimps calls until you come face to face with these magnificent animals. The more they grow accustomed to the presence of humans, the easier it will be for researchers to spend time studying them.
Where Rubondo is different from many places is, as well as the chimps, you will also find elephants, giraffes, hippos and the shy sitatunga antelopes and you can enjoy game drives into the forest in four-wheel drive vehicles to go in search of these.
You can also enjoy some catch-and-release fishing with the massive Nile perch and tilapia that frequent the waters around the island. Guided nature walks are also possible and can last anywhere between one hour and a full day or you could combine a walk with an overnight stay at the treehouse, or fly-camping, which is an incredible experience, well and truly immersed with nature. As you can imagine, being located on a lake, there are also boat trips to enjoy where you can keep a watchful eye out for hippos, crocodile, otters and monitor lizards. Birdlife here is also fantastic, at its best between December and March when the migrants stop on the island on their way from Europe.
There is only once accommodation option on the whole island but do not fret this is exceptional in every way with a seasoned team and well-established operator, you will want for nothing here other than to stay for longer! In short this is an incredibly unique place with equally unique wildlife and a host of fantastic activities, very highly recommended!
Accommodation
Rubondo Island Lodge
5 Star. Rubondo Island Lodge is the only accommodation option on this beautiful island but luckily it is exceptional in every way, we can’t recommend it enough!
