Lying in the southwestern corner of Tanzania’s Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island is a small isle teeming with big surprises. There’s so much to explore here, from the sandy shores to the depths of the forests.
Pristine and untouched equatorial forest makes up over three-quarters of the island, serving as a habitat to wild chimpanzee, elephant, giraffe and more. Surrounding Rubondo on all sides are the waters of Lake Victoria, which are a vital breeding ground for wildlife such as the tilapia and the enormous Nile perch.
Top Reasons to Visit Rubondo Island
There are many hidden treasures to be found on Rubondo Island, from unique beach getaways to secret boating spots. Read our top picks and be sure to mention these spots to your guide the next time you visit Asilia’s Rubondo Island Camp.
(Please note that the camp is closed during the long rains in April and May.)
Here are a few amazing experiences you can enjoy during your Rubondo trip.
Stroll through Butterfly Glade
This is a dream come true if you’re a butterfly lover. Butterfly Glade is filled with a huge variety of butterflies showing off their many different colours and patterns. If you’re heading out on a famous Rubondo chimpanzee trek, you’ll come across this magical place.
About a 30-minute walk from the opening of the forest, you’ll step into the forest clearing, coming out into an open rocky and grassy glade. Here you will see thousands of butterflies, fireflies and bees, floating and fluttering around the foliage. A magical sight indeed.
Enjoy a Secret Boating Safari Few Have Been On
A Lake Victoria boat trip gives you the opportunity to spot hippo, elephant, crocodile, otter, monitor lizard and many water birds. And we know a secret spot that will make your boat safari that much more memorable.
Elephant Marsh Land is a special place – here you can enjoy spending time with foraging bush pig, scurrying marsh mongoose, and of course, herds of elephant who frequent the area. Speak to the camp manager on duty about taking a boat trip to experience this secret gem.
Catch Fish Weighing up to 70 kg
The waters around Rubondo are full of tilapia and massive Nile perch, one of the most sought-after freshwater fish which attracts anglers from around the globe. Catch-and-release fishing from Rubondo Island Camp can be done by boat or from the shore.
The area known as The Wall is the best place for fishing – all the biggest Nile perch tend to hang around here. We’re talking monsters weighing up to 70 kilograms! You may even be treated to a view of the resident giraffe coming to drink water close to The Wall while you wait for the fish to bite.
Rubondo is well-equipped for a variety of fishing techniques, including trolling, and spinning live and dead bait. The camp has two fishing boats which can be shared or privately hired.
See Natural Unhabituated Wildlife
The Rubondo Chimpanzee Troop
Rubondo Island is famous for its chimpanzee conservation efforts. It was here that Professor Bernhard Grzimek of the Frankfurt Zoological Society made the first-ever attempt to rehabilitate captive chimpanzee. The chimp population has since grown from 16 to around 60. Chimp trekking is a popular pastime on Rubondo Island, tracking these elusive primates through the forest with an experienced guide.
Giraffe
There are many giraffe roaming free on Rubondo as well. Giraffe Alley is made up of a mixture of open plains and thick bushes, so it is an entirely unique way of sighting giraffe in the wild. The Giraffe Alley area is undoubtedly the best place to watch unhabituated giraffe go about their business – ask your guide to show you the way to this spot.
Sitatunga and other Antelope
Have you heard of Africa’s amphibious antelope, the sitatunga? This unique swamp-dwelling buck can be spotted on Rubondo Island. Sitatunga Bend is the best place to watch these fascinating animals in their natural habitat, while allowing you to spend time with our resident bushbucks and suni antelope too.
The grassy savannah is also a great place to spot the sitatunga, bushbuck and the beautiful suni antelope. An ideal spot for guests to get an idea of the island’s biodiversity.
Contribute to Conservation While You Visit
Chimp trekking on Rubondo Island doesn’t just give you an amazing opportunity to spot the local chimpanzee troop – it also helps to habituate the chimps, making it easier for humans to study them in the future. This is a great way to contribute to the conservation efforts taking place on the island. All Asilia holidays help with local conservation projects, with guests contributing a donation of US$10 for each night that they stay with us.
Book your stay at Rubondo Island Camp and enjoy all the wonders this secret treasure has in store for you.
