RUBONDO ISLAND CAMP
RUBONDO ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, LAKE VICTORIA, TANZANIA
The only camp in the wild and virtually uninhabited Rubondo Island National Park, the largest island national park in Africa is Rubondo Island Camp. Overlooking the vast waters of Lake Victoria, it is a truly special place to experience.
The park is a haven for chimpanzees — introduced as part of groundbreaking rehabilitation project in the 1960s — as well as elephants, giraffes, hippos, shy sitatunga antelopes and 300 species of birds.
The pristine Rubondo Island is 75 percent forest, which guests can explore on drives and walks while learning about the animals and plants that make up this extraordinary protected ecosystem. Wake up to the serene lake views from your beachfront cottage and enjoy catch-andrelease-fishing the massive Nile perch and tilapia that dwell in the surrounding waters in the afternoon.
Meals at Rubondo Island Camp are served al fresco on the main deck overlooking the beach, where you can relax with your toes in the sand. Spend afternoons in a hammock, binoculars and bird guide in hand or cooling off in the pool. As the sun sets, watch hippos emerge from the water to graze on the grass around camp.
All of the food is homemade, including breads, cakes, biscuits and sorbets. Breakfast is served on the deck overlooking the lake. Lunch is a light buffet (if you are a keen cook, join the chef for a class that doubles as lunch prep). Sip sundowners around the campfire on the beach, after which guests can enjoy a communal dinner under the stars.
There are many things to do at Rubondo, with activities on both land and water, focused on learning about the remarkable ecosystem. Have a once-in-a-lifetime experience helping habituate the island’s chimpanzee population. As you walk through the forest tracking their progress with a knowledgeable guide, you will likely hear them calling to each other and they’ll hear you. The more they grow accustomed to the presence of humans, the easier it will be for researchers to spend time studying them.
Head out in an open vehicle to explore the forests of Rubondo, led by expert Asilia guides. You’ll learn about the flowers, shrubs and trees, and spot birds and animals that dwell in these forests. Embark on a forest walk
- there is so much to see in this unspoilt forest that the guided nature walks can last anywhere from one hour to a full day.
Explore Lake Victoria and the shores of Rubondo on a boat trip. Keep an eye out for hippos, elephants, crocodiles, otters and monitor lizards. December to March is the best time for birding, when the migrants stop on Rubondo on their way from Europe. At the peak of the season, there are more than 300 bird species. Assisting in safeguarding Rubondo Island is a guest conservation levy, ensuring a bright future for generations to come.