Chimpanzee Habituation
A long-running habituation project with a community of reintroduced chimps forest walks with researchers tracking their progress, an intimate and rarely-visited alternative to Kibale.
Rubondo Island National Park
An island wilderness on Lake Victoria chimp habituation, forest walks, fishing, and a cast of reintroduced species in one of Africa's most unusual and uncrowded national parks.
Overview
Rubondo Island is one of Africa's best-kept secrets an island park on Lake Victoria where chimps were reintroduced and are now partially habituated, where sitatunga and grey-cheeked mangabey move through riverine forest, and where Nile perch fishing from the lake shore can be world class. With just one camp on the island, this is genuinely off-the-beaten-track East Africa best woven into an itinerary as a remarkable four-night detour from the northern Tanzania circuit.
Rubondo at a Glance
- Location
- Northwestern Tanzania, Lake Victoria
- Size
- 457 km²
- Altitude
- 1,130 1,480 m
- Best Time to Visit
- June–February
Why Visit
A
rare island wilderness on Lake Victoria, with just one camp and almost no other visitors.
A
long-running chimpanzee habituation project an intimate, rarely visited alternative to Kibale.
World-class
Nile perch fishing alongside forest walks and canoe safaris.
Reintroduced
species sitatunga, giraffe and grey-cheeked mangabey moving through pristine island forest.
Key Attractions
Birdlife of Lake Victoria
Over 300 bird species recorded African fish eagle, pied kingfisher, goliath heron, and the rare shoebill in the papyrus fringe of the lake.
Pristine Forest Walks
A dense tropical forest of ebony, wild mango and giant ficus walked with specialist naturalist guides, tracking chimp signs and the island's unique community of reintroduced mammals.
Top Activities
Forest Walk with Chimp Team
Early morning walk with the habituation team tracking chimp nests, calls and movement, with close encounters increasingly possible as the project matures.
Nile Perch Fishing
Lake Victoria is one of the great sport-fishing destinations in Africa Nile perch in the hundreds of kilos, plus tilapia and catfish on a catch-and-release basis from the camp launch.
Canoe Safari
A slow, silent exploration of the island's shoreline by dugout canoe hippos, crocodiles, sitatunga and a gallery of waterbirds at a pace that no motor safari can match.
Getting There
Rubondo Island is reached by charter flight from the Serengeti or Mwanza approximately 1–1.5 hours landing on the island's grass airstrip, followed by a short boat transfer to camp. There is no road access; every visitor arrives by air and water.
Plan Your Journey
Our team handles all logistics airport transfers, cross-border road trips, and charter flights. Reach out and we'll design the smoothest route to suit your itinerary.
ENQUIRE NOWWhere to Stay
LuxuryRubondo Island Camp
The only camp on the island forest-facing suites run by Asilia, positioned for chimp forest walks, canoe safaris and lakeshore fishing.
Practical Information & Travel Tips
- Recommended Stay
- Three to four nights, ideally as a detour from a northern Tanzania circuit enough time for forest walks, fishing, and a canoe safari without feeling rushed.
- Access
- The only way in is by charter flight followed by a short boat transfer there is no road access to the island.
- What to Pack
- Closed walking shoes for forest trails, insect repellent, and swimwear for the lake plus fishing gear if you plan to fish, though camp equipment can usually be arranged.
- Combine With
- Best woven into a northern Tanzania circuit as a 3–4 night detour from the Serengeti.
Frequently Asked Questions
A charter flight from the Serengeti or Mwanza (1–1.5 hours) lands on the island's grass airstrip, followed by a short boat transfer to camp. We include the full routing in our itineraries.