Rubundo Island National Park

Location and Size Rubundo Island National Park 

Thousands of visitors visit the Rubundo Island National Park in Tanzania every year – a well-known breeding site for a variety of migratory birds and fishes.  Victoria, the second world’s largest lake surrounds the Rubundo Island National Park. The longest river in the world, the river Nile, enriches the water resources of the Victoria Lake. The park lies at the southwestern end of the lake. It is about 95 miles (150km) from the Mwanza city in Geita region. Of the 456.8 sq. Km  area of the park, dry land is a sizeable 236.8 sq. Km and 11 small islets take up about 220 sq. Km of the area that is surrounded by water.

Special features  Rubundo Island National Park 

Most of the visitors are those who seek to spend a Tanzanian Holiday amidst wildlife. Rubundo Island National Park is where holidaymakers can experience and observe real wildlife away from their native lands. Having a holiday at this gorgeous natural park is just like letting Mother Nature embrace one’s soul entirely. The lovely and hospitable guidance available from the park through dense forest and on scenic waters is enchanting and exotic. Any holidaymaker who loves Mother Nature will dream of having a Tanzanian Holiday at Rubundo Island National Park. It is delightful just to think of the vast place surrounded by water and thick forest such as this fantastic wildlife park. Dense jungle covers more than two-thirds of the park where varied wild animals inhabit. Savannahs, papyrus swamps and woodlands provide wild creatures an exceptional habitat within the park.  Visitors have the rare opportunity frequently to view wild animals such as giraffes, elephants, chimpanzees, columus monkeys and grey parrots common to Africa, to name but a very few. Hundreds of migratory birds arrive in the park from all over the world, seeking suitable nesting grounds in the water and forests amidst native birds such as the African eagles and Emin Parsha Gulf.  

Visitors can reach Rubundo Island National Park via road or by charter flights.  They can connect with air tour operators to the park from Mwanza, Dar-es-Salaam or Bukoba. At present, the only airline that operates to the island via this route from Mwanza or Bukoboba is Auric Air. The fee for an air trip to  Rubundo Island does not cost very much.  If guests choose to go by road to reach Rubundo National Park, they will have to travel five hours’ of driving to the park. The tarmac road to the park is from Mwanza to Geita, but beyond it is a dirt road from Geita to Nkome. Visitors to the park will have to take a boat ride from Kkome,  which takes about 1 ½ hours to the main island called Kageye, which is the Head Quarters of the park. Some arrive at the park by taking the road from Mwanza/Bukoba to Muganza/Kasenda village. The journey by this route takes about five hours. Visitors who take the Bukoba –Muganza/Kasenda route have to spend only two hours to reach the park.

Accommodation wise, there is only one lodge in the park named Rubundo Island Camp. It can accommodate 20 persons. Asilia lodges and camps manage this lodge. The privately owned Asilia has their headquarters in Arusha.  One unit uni-port Bandas is two KMs away from the park. It can accommodate 13 pax for a night. There is also a restaurant that is owned by TANAPA. It is about two Km away from the park. Seven persons can find accommodation at this place. There is a youth hostel as well that can accommodate 36 students, 16 females and 16 males. Four teachers can spend the night in a youth hostel in two rooms.

Rubundo Island National Park is famous for Tanzania Budget safari arrangements, boat rides, wild camping and bird-watching. Visitors can have professional guides, and a wild Tanzania budget safari arranged on request. Holidaymakers have described they cannot compare Rubundo Island National park with any other holiday destination in the world. They feel that this park is entirely different and highly delightful. Anyone who expects to visit an exotic place for their next vacation, the Rubundo Island National Park is the best choice. If it is for bird and wildlife watching or wild safaris or boat rides in the pristine and scenic waters of the world’s largest lake, Rubundo Island National Park in Tanzania is the place.

Why to Go There Rubundo Island National Park 

The location is not so crowded such as other global holiday locations. The ambience it provides is not comparable and hardly gained from most other holiday destinations in the world. The boat tours on the waters of Late Victoria provide ample opportunities to witness a variety of wildlife arriving to drink water and feed on the waters of the lake. Even though the camps are rustic, they are comfortable. The grunts of wild boar, alligators, screeching of bats, trumpeting of wild elephants are the common cacophony of sounds in the night that serenade visitors who join a Tanzania Safari. The chatter of chimpanzees and the call of the eagles are ever present.

Visitors to Rubundo Island National Park will also enjoy the sight of the African fishing eagles. Visiting the Irumo that is the deepest centre of the Lake Victoria is an incredible experience that one will rarely have. The attractive beaches of Mchangani, Michicoco and Flycatcher, are rare sights in the world. The indigenous people who once dwelled in the park now live in cultural sites such as Maji Matakatifu, Altare, Solo and Ntungamirwe and visitors can reach them from the Rubundo Island National Park. There is also a crocodile island where visitors can see alligators, and the bird islands where Tanzanian holiday seekers can see a range of water birds.

When to Go and the Weather  Rubundo Island National Park 

The weather conditions of Tanzania are unpredictable.  For a vast country that is near the equator this situation is more so. However, the rainy season in Tanzania starts in March and prevails throughout April and May. The rain usually falls in the evenings, and it can be substantial. The daily temperature is about 30°s. The dry season starts from June and prevails until October. The sky is clear, and climate is friendly for visitors who come for a Tanzanian Holiday during this time of year. Another rainy season prevails during the months of November and December.

Extra Information  Rubundo Island National Park 

There is only one lodge in the park that is called Rubundo Island Camp. It can accommodate 20 persons. Asilia lodges and camps manage this lodge. The privately owned Asilia has their headquarters in Arusha. It is a globally known tour operator as well, and visitors can contact it by calling on +255 689 131 591. One unit uni-port Bandas is two KMs away from the park. It can accommodate 13 pax for a night. There is also a restaurant that is owned by TANAPA. It is about two Km away from the park. Seven persons can occupy this place. There is a youth hostel as well which can accommodate 36 students, 16 females, and 16 males. Four teachers can spend the night in the youth hostel in two rooms.

Robundo Island National Park is famous for Tanzania Budget safari arrangements, boat rides, wild camping, and bird watching. Visitors can have professional guides on request, and the wild Tanzania budget safari can be arranged on request. Holidaymakers describe that they cannot compare Rubundo Island National park with any other holiday destination in the world. They feel that this park is totally different and highly enjoyable. Anyone who expects to visit this exotic place, Rubundo Island National Park is the best choice. If it is for bird and wildlife watching or wild safaris or boat rides in the pristine and scenic waters of the world’s largest lake, Robundo Island National Park in Tanzania is the place.