Key facts
| Area | 456.8 km² |
|---|---|
| Location and distance | South-west of Lake Victoria, 270 km from Mwanza |
| Getting there | Around 1.5 hours' flight from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, around 55 minutes from Kilimanjaro; onwards by light aircraft or by road and boat to the island |
| Park fee per person per day | 30 USD, children aged 5 to 15 years 10 USD, under 5 years free, plus 18% VAT. |
| Best months | January to February, June to October |
| Typical wildlife | Chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, sitatungas, hippos |
| Accommodation | Rubondo Island Camp (Asilia Africa) |
Highlights and wildlife
Large parts of the island are covered in dense, evergreen forest, and there are also wetlands and gentle shores along Lake Victoria. Instead of open savannah, here you explore a self-contained island ecosystem that is particularly rich in species. The best-known residents are the chimpanzees, which were brought to the island as part of a reintroduction project and now live freely in the forest. With a little patience, you can observe them on guided walks. Colobus monkeys and vervet monkeys are also common and easy to spot.
Elephants roam the island’s forests and occasionally appear in clearings or on the shore. Giraffes, sitatungas and bushbuck are also found in the park, and hippos live along the shoreline. Nile crocodiles occur in Lake Victoria but are sighted less often. The birdlife is particularly rich in species: more than 300 bird species have been recorded in the park, including waterbirds, forest birds and birds of prey. Your best chances of sightings are on walks in the forest and on boat trips along the shores.
Best time to visit
The dry seasons from January to February and from June to October are good times to visit. Then the paths are easier to walk, and hikes through the island forest take less effort. Wildlife viewing is also pleasant in these months. During the rainy seasons, the island appears especially green and lush. Thanks to its location on Lake Victoria, the climate is mild and even, and the park can essentially be visited all year round. You can find more on how the months compare in the overview of the best time to visit Tanzania.
| Month | Weather | Animals |
|---|---|---|
Dry season, more pleasant paths | ||
Dry season, more pleasant paths | ||
Green and lush |
Fees and rules
The park fee is 30 USD per person per day. Children aged 5 to 15 pay 10 USD; children under 5 are free. 18% VAT is added to all fees. The overview of Tanzania safari costs explains how park fees affect the total price of your trip.
Getting there and combinations
The park lies in the south-west of Lake Victoria, 270 km from Mwanza. The flight from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza takes around 1.5 hours; from Kilimanjaro it takes about 55 minutes. From Mwanza, you continue by light aircraft directly to an airstrip on the island, or by road and then by boat across the lake. Because of its secluded location, the park remains quiet and little visited. Rubondo Island combines well with the Serengeti if you want to pair island forest and classic savannah on one trip. Katavi National Park in western Tanzania also fits a route through the country’s more remote parks.
