Rubondo Island National Park

Rubondo Island National Park (1977), A Large Island Park In Lake Victoria With Papyrus Swamps, Rain Forest, Giraffes And Elephants Introduced In The 1960s, Sitatunga Antelope, Hippos And Habituated Chimpanzees. Known For Sport Fishing For Nile Perch And For Boat And Walking Safaris With Few Visitors. · Nkome, Geita

Rubondo Island National Park, set up in 1977, covers about 457 sq km of Lake Victoria, of which roughly 240 sq km is forested land, in the south-west corner of the lake in Geita region. The island is a gentle, quiet place of rain forest, papyrus swamp and empty beaches. In the 1960s and 70s the Frankfurt Zoological Society released chimpanzees here, along with giraffe, elephant and black-and-white colobus; some of the chimpanzees are now used to people. Sitatunga antelope, hippos, crocodiles and over 400 bird species live here too. The honest picture: it is remote, few people come, and wildlife viewing is a challenge, since the forest is thick and the animals are hard to find. The draw is a quiet island, a boat on a big lake and the chance of Nile perch on a line. It is a regional trip from Mwanza or Geita, and a long way to come for animals alone. Go for the calm, not a big list of sightings, and plan your own food, cash and boat well before you leave the mainland shore. Nights are very quiet.

Forested island of 457 sq km in the south-west of Lake Victoria, reached by boat from Nkome or Mwanza (about 2 hours) or by small plane, with the Kakuru and Rubondo rainforests, Nkome, Geita, Tanzania

The park is open every day of the year, and the gates take entries in daylight hours only. Boat trips, walks and fishing run by day with a ranger or guide. Some tracks and the boat crossing can be CLOSED in rough weather. Confirm crossing times and conditions with the park or camp.

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