Tanzania · Safari

4-Day Rubondo Island Safari with Lake Victoria Boat Trips

4 Days Round trip from Mwanza Region Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Track wild chimpanzees on Rubondo Island in their natural habitat
02 Explore Lake Victoria by boat and discover the smaller islands around Rubondo
03 Observe rich wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, otters, and abundant birdlife
04 Visit Kasenda village and get to know the local way of life
05 Relax in waterfront chalets with breathtaking sunsets over Lake Victoria

Embark on a 4-day adventure to serene Rubondo Island National Park, set in the heart of Lake Victoria. Stay at Rubondo Island Camp in waterfront chalets with sweeping lake views, breathtaking sunsets, and moonlit dinners by the shore. Explore the island on guided walks and boat trips, spot rich birdlife and wildlife including hippos and crocodiles, and visit Kasenda village for a glimpse of local life. Your journey ends with free time in Mwanza before departure.

Embark on a 4-day adventure to serene Rubondo Island National Park, set in the heart of Lake Victoria.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Mwanza, Zanzibar, Rubondo Island National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival at Rubondo Island National Park

Rubondo Island Camp creates an atmosphere of serene tranquillity.
Set on an island in the middle of the world's second-largest freshwater lake, its manicured velvet lawns stretch to the water's edge, and its exotic trees are a haven for birds - 369 species of them, including the African Fish Eagle. With renowned hospitality, delightful hosts, and indulgent accommodations, Rubondo is divine.
Romance resides in breathtaking sunsets over the lake, moonlit dinners on the jetty, and candlelight champagne along the shore of Lake Victoria. Get settled in your waterfront chalet; beds beautifully draped in sheer white netting offer splendid views from verandas facing the sweep of the lawn to the lake beyond.

Overnight stay at Rubondo Island Camp

Day 02

Bird Island Excursion and Kasenda Village Walk

A boat trip to Bird Island reveals thousands of roosting water birds, giant monitor lizards, spotted-necked otters on the rocks, and you can easily spot Rubondo's giant crocodiles, monitor lizards, and hippos.
Take a guided walk to the lakeside village of Kasenda, and get to know the friendly people of Kasenda village and their way of life. Back at the camp, keep your eyes open for sitatunga, otters, bushbuck, and vervet monkeys.
Rare sightings include black and white colobus monkeys, genet, marsh mongoose, and elephants.
Our friendly guide is always happy to share stories with you about the behind-the-scenes perspectives of this beautiful island and much more.

Day 03

Full-Day Boat Safari Around Rubondo

Today is your last day at Rubondo Island National Park. As a final highlight of your stay, we will go on a boat safari to see the smaller surrounding islands and observe the animals from another perspective.
Along the shores of Lake Victoria, you will see a colorful variety of birdlife, and bigger animals can also be spotted.
This is a full-day boat trip that will end around 4 pm. You will be back at your accommodation around 5 pm to relax and enjoy the sunset.

Day 04

Departure and Free Time in Mwanza

The day is left free to wind down after your safari and before your flight back home.
Depending on flight times, you could explore Mwanza town, have a good cup of coffee, or buy some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

Safari, Zanzibar, and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.

Meals: Breakfast Included

Where this trip takes you

Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Victoria, Bird Island, Kasenda village

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Mwanza Region 3 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Safari according to the itinerary
Transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle
Professional, English-speaking guide
Professional, English-speaking safari cook
Overnight stays in safari tents
Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables, etc.)
Meals according to the itinerary
Mineral water
All mentioned activities
All national park fees

What's Not Included

Sleeping bag
Flights
Optional activities
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Visa fees
Tips
Personal spending money for souvenirs, etc.
Travel insurance

Know before you go

This tour takes you from Mwanza to spend 4 wonderful days on Rubondo Island.

Enjoy the beauty of the island while a friendly local guide shares entertaining stories of Lake Victoria's checkered history and its legendary characters as you explore the park on foot and by fiber boat.

Over a four-year period (1966-1969), Professor Bernhard Grzimek of the Frankfurt Zoological Society released 17 chimpanzees in four cohorts onto Rubondo Island. The chimpanzees were all wild-born and purportedly of West African descent, although there are no records of specific country of origin for the majority of released individuals. The founder chimpanzees had spent varying periods, from 3.5 months to 9 years, in captivity in European zoos or circuses before their release.

After one year, the chimpanzees were able to find and eat wild foods and construct nests for sleeping, and have now reverted to an unhabituated state characteristic of wild chimpanzees. From 16 founders, the population has now grown to around 40 individuals that can be observed on walking safari.

The best time to visit is during the cooler, dry season from June to October. As a tropical island, it may rain on Rubondo on any given day. Note that Rubondo Island Camp is closed throughout the long rains in April and May.

Logistics