- Iringa Tanzania
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Rubondo Island was gazetted officially as National Park in 1977. It is an important breeding ground for both migratory bird and fish species especially Tilapia and Nile perch as for a long time it stood to be the only area in the waters of Lake Victoria which was well protected and preserved.
About 80% of the park is covered by a dense forest thus providing a variety of habitats for indigenous wildlife such as Sitatunga, hippos, bush bucks, velvet monkeys, genet cats, crocodiles, bush pigs etc sharing the ecological niches with the introduced species such as chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, black and white colubous monkeys, suni and African grey parrots.
Rubondo Island can be reached by Air Chatters and Public transport & then boats to the park.
(A)By public transport leads you from Mwanza to Nkome via Geita town which is approximately 3-4 hours (164km) drive, 100km through a tarmac and 64 rough road. At Nkome Rangers post you can be picked by park boat and will take 1 hour to the park. Another route is Mwanza to Mganza through Bukoba road (270km – 5hrs), Biharamulo to Mganza through Chato – Bukoba road and from Bukoba to Mganza through Bukoba – Chato road. At Muganza you can take a taxi or motorcycle (5min) to Kasenda where Park boats are parking and there you will be picked-up by park boat and will take about 20-25 min to the park.
Rubondo Island can be reached both by charter/air. Visitors who prefer to travel by air should in advance check with the tour operators in Bukoba, Mwanza, Arusha and Dar es Salaam for flight schedules.
The best time is from June through September and wet season from November to March when wild flowers are flourishing and plentiful of butterflies
For bird watchers is from December to February when most migratory birds are nesting
where wild dreams turn into unforgettable journeys!
The park is bestowed with magnificent attractions that tourist can enjoy these include diversity of wild life including elephants, giraffes, bushbucks, hippos, yellow-spotted otters, crocodiles, chimpanzee, sitatunga and offers best fish breeding sites. other attractions are birds diversity with more than 400 species of nesting birds resides the park. The grey parrot, introduced in 2000 when 34 birds were rescued from illegal trade, is a spectacular newcomer. Another noisy specimen is the African fish eagle.
Chimpanzees – currently being habituated – few Chimps are now used for tourism Habituation Experience (CHEX). One can travel by car to Chimps’ areas and joining chimps’ habituation crew and be a part of habituators.
Other mammals that are frequently seen are Giraffes, Hippopotamus, Sported necked Otter, Bushbucks and Velvet Monkeys. Colobous monkeys, Genet Cats, Marsh Mongoose, Suni and Elephants.
More than 80% of Rubondo Island National Park is covered by an intense primary lowland Congolese forest. Thus providing a variety of wildlife habitats sharing the similar ecological niches such as elephants, giraffes, chimpanzees, black & white colobous monkeys, Suni, African grey parrots etc.
RINP is one of the sites with highest density and concentration of Birds in Tanzania. Also RINP provides best habitat for birds migrating between southern and northern hemispheres.
The famous Maji Matakatifu was historically used as ritual areas by Native Zinza who lived in Rubondo before the area was upgraded as a National Park. One example of rituals was to make women and men who did not have children to have children.
Near Kageye area, just beneath Pongo Viewpoint along the tourist trail, there is still visible and intact a sacrificial site, one of the most popular sacred site use by Native Zinza tribe for traditional and spiritual beliefs. The rock can be delineated from the surrounding rocks due to its white coloration.
This is an important historical site, used during wars with enemies of the Banyarubondo. Enemies included Baganda people from Uganda, who attacked them especially after the harvest season to steal cereals. The natives hid in karobhela caves at Alutare during the wars. The natives like to compare this entrance with an entrance into a cathedral. This is why the whole area was named “Alutare”, which means “altar”.
Magnificent view of evergreen dense primary lowland Congolese forest-More than 80% of Rubondo Island National Park is covered by an intense primary lowland Congolese forest. Thus providing a variety of wildlife habitats sharing the similar ecological niches such as elephants, giraffes, chimpanzees, black & white colobous monkeys, Suni, African grey parrots etc.
The Island has every type of imaginable beaches; white sand, gravel and stones and shorelines popular for visitors watching wildlife and enjoying the Lake breeze. Also beaches are frequently visited and inhabited by wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles and elephants, white necked Otters etc
Rubondo island, is a place you can relax in two minutes. This is due to its natural beauty and calmness. Is a place you can enjoy colorful sunrise and sunset while listening to bird songs.
Rubondo Island National Park offers a truly immersive wilderness experience unlike any other. Nestled in Lake Victoria, the park blends forest, water, and wildlife into one breathtaking adventure. Visitors can explore lush trails teeming with birdlife, quietly observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat, or glide across the lake’s surface during serene boat rides. The park’s rich biodiversity also invites thrilling encounters with elephants, hippos, and monitor lizards, while fishing enthusiasts can cast lines for the legendary Nile perch. Whether you’re trekking through the forest, soaking in panoramic views, or simply enjoying the peaceful isolation, Rubondo is a hidden gem for nature lovers seeking a quiet but adventurous escape.
It is the most exciting recreational activity in which there is great possibility of getting a big catch to make a wonderful and challenging record of catches among others.
one can view a spectacular beauty of the island, beaches, variety of water birds, crocodiles, amongst the deepest point in the Lake Victoria “Irumo”, hippos, otters, plants species along the shores as well as enjoying the cool lake breeze.
(Short and long) up to 4 hrs and above depending on the requests – One can enjoy seeing animals such as suni, mongoose, genet cats, monkeys, bush pigs, sitatunga, bush bucks etc. Also, reptiles, orest birds, viewing the lake & shores etc.
There is a possibility of watching big game such as elephants, giraffes and other mammals, reptiles, amphibious and variety of forest birds.
One can join Chimps habituation crew to experience how chimps are habituated in their nature state without using any artificial means of attracting them to humans (e.g. feeding, playbacks, etc.)
The park owns self catering and self contained visitor 5 bandas and a rest house but not exclusive for families, while at times providing camping site for visitors with tents or offering tents.
where wild dreams turn into unforgettable journeys!
