Rubondo Island Camp

About RUBONDO ISLAND CAMP

Rubondo Island Camp overlooks the vast waters of Lake Victoria. As the only camp in the wild and virtually uninhabited Rubondo Island National Park, it is a truly special place to experience. 

accommodation

Rooms

Our eight waterfront, thatched-roofed cottages (including one larger family cottage) have been hand-built using traditional methods and local materials. The cottages have high ceilings and are decked out in natural colours that mirror the lake and forest. En suite bathrooms all have hot running water and flushing toilets. In front of each cottage, a terrace overlooking the lake is the perfect spot from which to watch the island life pass by. 

Experiences

Pristine island paradise

The park is a haven for chimpanzees — introduced as part of a groundbreaking rehabilitation project in the 1960s — as well as elephants, giraffes, hippos and shy sitatunga antelopes.  

The pristine Rubondo Island is 75 percent forest, which guests can explore on drives and walkswhile learning about the animals and plants that make up this extraordinary protected ecosystem. Wake up to the serene lake views from your beachfront cottage and enjoy catch-and-release-fishing the massive Nile perch and tilapia that dwell in the surrounding waters in the afternoon. 

Experiences

A typical day on safari at Rubondo Island Camp

We like to get an early start to the day, while it is still pleasantly cool and animals are most active. Wake up with a cup of tea or coffee, followed by breakfast. It’s sure to be a busy morning, with so many experiences at your fingertips. Take part in chimpanzee habituation or depart on a forest walk, boat tour, fishing trip or game drive.  

If you’ve been on a morning outing, you’ll be back at camp in time to relax and freshen up before sitting down to enjoy lunch. Alternatively, you can devote the day to tracking chimpanzees in the dense forest. 

The afternoon is time to take a siesta, read a book or cool off in the pool. After you’ve rested and refueled with afternoon tea and freshly baked cakes, opt to head out on a guided forest walk or a sundowner boat cruise. Round off a special day with drinks around the campfire on the beach and dinner under the stars. 

Experiences

Chimpanzee habituation experience

Have a once-in-a-lifetime experience helping habituate the island’s chimpanzee population. As you walk through the forest tracking their progress with a knowledgeable guide, you’ll likely hear them calling to each other and they’ll hear you. The more they grow accustomed to the presence of humans, the easier it will be for researchers to spend time studying them. 

Read more about this unique experience here.

Experiences

Forest drives

Head out on in an open vehicle to explore the forests of Rubondo, led by expert Asilia guides. You’ll learn about the flowers, shrubs and trees, and spot birds and animals that dwell in these forests. 

Experiences

Forest walks

There is so much to see in this unspoilt forest that our guided nature walks can last anywhere from one hour to a full day. Guests can even opt to spend several days amid nature with an overnight stop at our treehouse or fly camp. 

Experiences

Boat trips

Explore Lake Victoria and the shores of Rubondo on a boat trip. Keep an eye out for hippos, elephants, crocodiles, otters and monitor lizards.

Experiences

Fishing

The waters around Rubondo are full of tilapia and huge Nile perch, one of the most sought-after freshwater fish. Take a boat excursion or cast a line from shore to catch and release them. 

Experience

Birding

December to March is the best time for birding, when the migrants stop on Rubondo on their way from Europe. At the peak of the season, there are more than 300 bird species. 

Experiences

Family safaris

Rubondo is a great choice for families with children over the age of 5. We have a larger family cottage and offer special activities for kids, including identifying animal tracks, learning about local cultures, taking guided nature or butterfly walks and learning bush skills. 

Experience

Meals and refreshments

All of our food is homemade, including breads, cakes, biscuits and sorbets. Breakfast is served on the deck overlooking the lake. Lunch is a light buffet (if you’re a keen cook, join our chef for a class that doubles as lunch prep). Sip sundowners around the campfire on the beach, after which we’ll serve a communal dinner under the stars.