Created a national park in 1977 Rubondo Island is unique in being an island national park. It is situated in the south west corner of Lake Victoria, the second largest lake in the world, 260km (160 miles) west of Serengeti National Park and 130km (80 miles) west of Mwanza, Tanzania’s second largest city.
Rubondo Island National Park is made up of a number of small islets, a stretch of Lake Victoria and Rubondo Island. It is very small by Tanzanian standards being about 450 sq km (175 sq miles). Rubondo Island is 260 sq km (100 sq miles) which is about a quarter of the size of the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England.
Rubondo Island is atmospheric, especially the quite dense forest, which covers much of the island. The forest is interspersed with patches of savannah grassland and acacia woodland. Around Rubono Island’s coast there are numerous sandy, forest fringed beaches, rocky promontories and papyrus marshes. The national park’s rangers maintain a network of paths which crisscross the island and animal/bird viewing hides. The rangers also lead walking safaris.
The Island’s flora and fauna is varied with an array of forest flowers, including 40 varieties of ground and tree orchids and magnificent fireball lilies. There are large numbers of attractive Red Coral trees which blossom all the year round. The flower filled glades are also home to large numbers of colourful butterflies.
A number of animals were successfully introduced to the island in the 1970’s including elephant, giraffe, chimpanzees, black and white Colobus monkeys and suni antelopes. The indigenous mammals include large numbers of crocodiles and hippopotamus. Other indigenous animals are sitatunga (an amphibious antelope), bushbuck, vervet monkeys, genet, marsh mongoose and otters. The national park also has a very large bird population with close to 400 recorded species including fish eagles (reputedly the highest density of fish eagles in the world), storks, herons, egrets, ibis, cormorants, kingfishers, flycatchers, bee-eaters, hornbills, kestrels, weavers and the African Grey parrot.
The national park has less than 500 visitors a year and the only people living on the island are the national park and camp workers. There are no motor vehicles apart from two very aged Land Rovers and a tractor. With so few visitors it is possible to have the whole island to yourself, especially on week days.
Rubondo Island National Park is an excellent place for ‘getting away from it all’. It is not recommended for those guests who want to view a lot of animals, especially big game, and only have time to visit one national park. However, for guests visiting other national parks it is definitely worth considering, especially if you want to relax for a few days, with some game fishing, walking safaris, sea safaris, bird watching, swimming in the pool or sunbathing on the beach. Rubondo Island is idyllic for nature lovers wanting to explore a fascinating environment either on foot or by boat.
The camp we use in Rubondo Island National Park is Rubondo Island Tented Camp. |
