Rubondo Island National Park

A forested island national park in Lake Victoria, with sitatunga, chimpanzees and abundant fish eagles.

Rubondo Island National Park protects a large forested island and several smaller islets in the south-west of Lake Victoria. There are no roads to speak of and very few visitors, so the birding is quiet and unhurried.

The shoreline and papyrus fringes are excellent for waterbirds, and the island has one of the highest densities of African Fish Eagles anywhere. Inside, moist forest holds a different set of species.

Rubondo is best known for its shy sitatunga antelope and a population of chimpanzees introduced in the 1960s. We explore on foot and by boat, and it works well as an extension to a northern birding tour.

Getting there

The easiest way in is a charter flight to the island’s airstrip, often combined with the Serengeti. The alternative is a drive to the lake shore followed by a boat transfer to the island.

Where to stay

One small lodge on the island, plus simple national park bandas.

Our guides’ tips

Plan at least two nights. Getting there takes time, and the island rewards a slow pace.
Take a boat trip along the shore for fish eagles, herons and kingfishers.
Walk the forest trails with a park ranger for forest birds and sitatunga tracks.
Chimpanzee viewing is possible but not as reliable as at Gombe or Mahale.

Common questions

How do I get to Rubondo Island?

By charter flight to the island airstrip, or by road to the lake shore and then a boat.

Will I see chimpanzees?

Possibly. The chimps are less habituated than at Gombe or Mahale, so sightings are not guaranteed.

What makes the birding special?

Abundant waterbirds, very high numbers of fish eagles, and forest birds with almost no other visitors.

Safaris that visit Rubondo Island National Park

No set itinerary here yet. Ask us for a custom trip and we’ll plan one around your dates.

Wildlife

Iconic wildlife of Rubondo Island National Park

The animals, trees and reptiles our guides look for here, with the best season and where to find them. See the full wildlife guide.

Mammal

African elephant

Loxodonta africana

Tarangire’s big herds are the classic sight: families drifting between baobabs to the river in the dry season.

Seen in

Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park, Ruaha National Park, Arusha National Park, Rubondo Island National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro

Mammal

Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus amphibius

Noisy, territorial and surprisingly fast. The Serengeti’s hippo pools hold hundreds in a single bend of river.

Seen in

Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park, Ruaha National Park, Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island National Park

Primate

Chimpanzee

Pan troglodytes

Our closest living relatives, habituated over sixty years of research at Gombe and Mahale.

Seen in

Gombe & Mahale Mountains, Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Tanganyika

Primate

Black-and-white colobus

Colobus guereza

Long white capes and a leap that seems to hang in the air. Arusha National Park’s forest is full of them.

Seen in

Arusha National Park, Usambara Mountains, Mount Kilimanjaro, Rubondo Island National Park

Reptile

Nile crocodile

Crocodylus niloticus

Ancient, patient and enormous. The Grumeti River’s crocodiles wait all year for the migration to cross.

Seen in

Serengeti National Park, Ruaha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island National Park

Mammal

Sitatunga

Tragelaphus spekii

A shy, swamp-living antelope with long, splayed hooves that let it walk on soft mud and floating vegetation.

Seen in

Rubondo Island National Park

Mammal

Spotted-necked otter

Hydrictis maculicollis

A sleek otter with a creamy, spotted throat that needs clear, fish-rich water.

Seen in

Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Victoria

Birding

Birds to look for in Rubondo Island National Park

Specialities, endemics and the birds that make this place different, chosen by our birding guides. Browse all birds.

Resident

Intermediate Egret

Ardea intermedia

A quiet white egret of marshes and lake edges, between the Great and Little Egrets in size and easy to overlook.

Seen in

Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Arusha National Park, Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island National Park

Resident

African Fish Eagle

Icthyophaga vocifer

The voice of Africa. A white-headed eagle whose ringing call carries across every lake and river.

Seen in

Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ruaha National Park, Gombe & Mahale Mountains, Arusha National Park, Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Eyasi

Resident

Grey Parrot

Psittacus erithacus

Grey parrots on Rubondo descend from birds confiscated from the illegal pet trade and released on the island.

Seen in

Rubondo Island National Park

Resident

Pied Kingfisher

Ceryle rudis

A black-and-white kingfisher that hovers over open water before plunging in after fish.

Seen in

Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Tanganyika

Resident

Goliath Heron

Ardea goliath

The world’s largest heron, standing motionless in the shallows for long periods before striking at big fish.

Seen in

Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Victoria

Activities

Things to do in Rubondo Island National Park

How a day here is spent, from game drives to walks and boat trips. All safari activities.

Hartlaub’s Turaco in Arusha National Park

Any length, from a morning walk to a 27-day expedition

Birdwatching

More than 1,100 species, dozens of endemics, and guides who find most birds by ear. Our speciality.

Waterfall in the montane forest of Arusha National Park

One to four hours

Walking safaris and nature walks

Leave the vehicle behind. Walk with a ranger to a waterfall, across the plains, or into Eastern Arc forest.

Two to six hours of walking

Chimpanzee trekking

Follow trackers into the forest above Lake Tanganyika and spend an hour with wild chimpanzees.

Guests watching wildlife with binoculars from a Charles Tours safari vehicle

Any safari

Wildlife and bird photography

Vehicles positioned for the light, beanbags on the window, and a guide who understands what you are trying to capture.

Two to three hours

Boat trips on Lake Victoria

Papyrus edges, rocky islands and fish eagles from the water on Africa’s largest lake.

Explore other Tanzania destinations

More parks, plains and forests our safaris visit, each with its own wildlife, birds and best season.

Start planning your safari

Tell us your dates and the birds or animals you most want to see. We’ll reply within 24 hours with a route and a full quote.

Send an enquiry WhatsApp +255 627 415 415