Rubondo Island
Rubondo Island National Park is situated in East Africa’s Lake Victoria. Surrounded by beaches and rocky coves the island offers some of the most untouched wilderness in Africa. The pristine forest is the habitat of wild chimpanzee, introduced in the 1960′s to benefit from it’s remote, protected habitat. The island features elephant and giraffe, dwarfed by ancient trees in the shadow of which lurk bushbuck and genet. Vervet monkey cavort amid the leaves and toward the lakeshore, the elusive sitatunga antelope hides in papyrus swamp; crocodile lie in wait along the shore and hippo crash through the shallows. The birdlife alone, comprising over 200 species, will appeal to the most discerning birder. The waters around the island are rich with fish including Tilapia and the sizeable Nile Perch. This is tropical paradise; uninhabited for decades.
Activities
Rubondo Island is for adventurous and active travelers, where days can be spent exploring the pristine forest and water around the island. A unique chimpanzee habituation experience offers the opportunity to be part of the habituation and conservation of the island’s special group of chimpanzees. There is the option to include a night of fly-camping in the forest as part of the habituation experience for a real adventure in the wild. There are guided forest walks, excellent bird viewing and forest drives. The lake offers fishing opportunities and superb boat-based game viewing and birding possibilities. There are two fishing boats available for half day hire – “Sato”, a 6 person Tom Cat for $250, and “Sangara”, a smaller 4 person boat for $200.
