Rubondo Island National Park
Visit Rubondo Island National Park
Rubondo Island National Park is one of two Tanzanian National Parks on an island in Lake Victoria. The other park is Saanane Island National Park.
Rubondo Island National Park attracts a small number of visitors each year. It is in the south-western corner of Lake Victoria, about 150 km (93 mi) west of Mwanza, Tanzania. The main island, Rubondo, is 237 km² in size. The park also protects 11 smaller islets, each less than 2 km².
The highest point on Rubondo Island is the Masa Hills in the far south, at an elevation of 1,486 m (350 m above the lake). The main island is 28 km long from north to south and 3–10 km wide. Rubondo Island lies on a rift in Lake Victoria and consists of four volcanic hills connected by three flatter isthmuses. The island has no rivers, and the soil is volcanic.
Highlights
- more than 400 bird species
- precious fish breeding grounds
- includes nine smaller islands
- Fantastic destination for bird watchers
- 90% of the island is forest
- Canoeing Trips
Located in the southwest of Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island is Africa’s largest island national park.
The park includes the main Rubondo Island and 11 smaller islands, covering a total of 457 square meters. The main island is 26 kilometers long, with 80% of its surface covered by untouched forest and soft sandy beaches. There are no villages on the island, so the only inhabitants are park rangers, researchers, and the staff and guests of Rubondo Island Camp.
Wildlife highlights on Rubondo Island include chimpanzees (which researchers are working to habituate, so sightings are rare and not guaranteed), various species of monkeys, the rare sitatunga antelope (which hides in the papyrus swamp), elephants, giraffes, and more than 200 bird species. This includes the largest known population of fish eagles in Africa. The waters around the island are rich with fish, including tilapia and Nile perch. Visitors can expect a truly remote, unique, and wild destination — perfect for travelers with a sense of adventure looking for their own slice of paradise.
The Rubondo National Park: A bird watcher’s paradise
Birds are everywhere on the island, making Rubondo National Park a special place for bird watchers. Over 400 species have been recorded over the years. Flocks of African gray parrots, once released on the island, fly around excitedly and chirp in different tones. Herons, storks, and spoonbills breed in large numbers in the swampy areas along the banks. Thousands of Eurasian migratory birds join them every year.
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