Rubondo Island (Chimpanzee & Lake Victoria)
Nestled in the southern part of Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island is Africa’s largest island national park – a hidden sanctuary surrounded by the world’s second-largest freshwater lake (68,870 km²), just after North America’s Lake Superior (82,100 km²). But Rubondo isn’t just about nature and wildlife – it holds powerful human stories too. Deep within the park lies a sacred cultural site known by many names: Ntungamirwe, Maji Matakatifu, or Altare – a place that carries the spiritual echoes of the native people who once lived on the island. Visiting Rubondo is more than a journey into the wild; it’s a walk through nature, memory, and meaning.
Activities to Do in Rubondo.
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Nature Walk
- Game drive
- Sport fishing
- Boat safari & Canoeing
- Bird watching
- Beach relaxation.
Climate.
Rubondo Island experiences a tropical climate, with two rainy seasons. The long rains typically occur from March to May, while the short rains are from November to December. During these months, rainfall is frequent, making the island lush and green but sometimes harder to explore due to wet conditions.
The temperature on Rubondo Island remains relatively mild throughout the year, ranging from 22°C (72°F) to 30°C (86°F). The cooler months from June to October offer the most comfortable temperatures, while the warmest months are from December to February, providing a pleasant tropical climate perfect for outdoor activities.
Best Time to Visit Rubondo Island National Park
The best time to visit Rubondo Island is during the dry season from June to October, when trails are clear and wildlife is easier to spot. This is perfect for chimpanzee tracking, nature walks, boat safaris, and bird watching, with great weather and active animals all around.
For sport fishing, canoeing, and beach relaxation, the short dry season from December to February offers calm waters and beautiful green landscapes. These months give you the ideal mix of adventure and tropical escape on one of Africa’s most hidden islands.
How to Get There
By Air: Scheduled and charter flights from Mwanza, Bukoba, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, and even Kigali (Rwanda). Flights land at Rubondo Airstrip, a well-maintained gravel airstrip on the island.
By Road: From Mwanza, approximately 270 km by road to Muganza/Kasenda village (about 5 hours). From there, a boat ride of about 20–25 minutes will take you to Rubondo Island.
Facts About Rubondo Island
- Area size of 456.8km2.
- 90% of the island is forest
- The largest island national park in Africa
- Home to more than 400 bird species
- Established as a game reserve in 1965, Rubondo became a national park in 1977.
- All chimpanzees on Rubondo Island were successfully rewilded after being rescued from European zoos.
Unknown Story of Rubondo
In the 1960s, Rubondo Island became the stage for one of the boldest wildlife experiments in Africa. Professor Bernhard Grzimek of the Frankfurt Zoological Society released a group of captive chimpanzees-rescued from European zoos and circuses-into the island’s untouched forests.
These chimps had never climbed a tree, foraged for food, or lived without human care. Left completely untrained, they were given nothing but freedom and a chance to rediscover their instincts. At first, they were confused and scared-even of the forest itself. But slowly, they adapted, formed social bonds, found food, and began raising young.
Today, their wild-born descendants roam Redondo’s lush interior, unseen by most visitors-living proof of nature’s power to heal, and one of Africa’s greatest untold conservation stories.
