4 Day – Rubondo Island Tanzania Safari
Price Per Person (USD)
Overview
Rubondo Island Safari Extension
Rubondo Island, located in the remote southwest corner of Lake Victoria, is one of Tanzania’s most extraordinary and untouched wildlife destinations. Ideal as an add-on to any Serengeti safari, this forest-covered island offers rare wildlife encounters and a tranquil, off-the-beaten-path experience.
Approximately 80% of the island is dense tropical forest, creating rich habitats for indigenous species such as sitatunga, hippos, bushbuck, bush pigs, crocodiles, velvet monkeys, and genet cats. Rubondo also hosts thriving introduced populations of chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, black-and-white colobus monkeys, suni, and African grey parrots.
Guests can enjoy boat safaris on Lake Victoria, guided forest walks, short game drives, and the unique chimpanzee habituation experience—a rare opportunity to observe chimps in the wild. Rubondo Island offers a remarkable blend of aquatic wildlife, pristine forest, and true wilderness adventure.
Key Highlights
-
Optional extension to any Serengeti safari
-
80% forested island supporting diverse wildlife
-
Indigenous species: sitatunga, hippos, bushbuck, bush pigs, crocodiles, velvet monkeys, genet cats
-
Introduced and thriving populations of chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, colobus monkeys, suni, African grey parrots
-
Chimpanzee habituation experience (rare and exclusive)
-
Boat safaris on Lake Victoria for aquatic wildlife viewing
-
Guided forest walks and short game drives
-
Remote, peaceful, and ideal for nature enthusiasts and photographers
Included/Excluded
- All meals
- Park Fees
- Flying Doctors
- All beverages – alcoholic and soft drinks
- Game drives
- Boat Safaris
- Swamp Excursions
- Nature walks
- Chimpanzee experience
- Fishing & Fishing permits
- Transfer from Rubondo Airstrip
- Laundry Service
- Flights
- Guide Tips
- Items of a personal nature
- Additional Lunch
Tour Plan
Day 1
Day 1 – Arrival on Rubondo Island
On arrival at Rubondo Island, lodge staff offer a warm welcome and provide a transfer to Rubondo Island Camp, arriving in time for lunch. Set within the untouched forests of Lake Victoria, this remote island offers a truly unique safari experience far from traditional game-viewing circuits.
After lunch, choose from a variety of activities offered daily. Options include game viewing by vehicle, guided forest walks, or a boat safari along the shoreline—an excellent way to spot hippos, crocodiles, sitatunga antelope, and abundant birdlife.
Rubondo is also home to a population of unhabituated chimpanzees, currently in the process of being habituated for tourism. Guests may have the rare opportunity to join the ongoing chimpanzee habituation experience, offering a privileged glimpse into one of Africa’s most intriguing conservation projects.
The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at the camp, surrounded by the sounds of the island’s pristine wilderness.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Rubondo Island Camp
Travel Time: As per flight/boat transfer schedule
Day 2
Day 2 – Rubondo Island Activities
Enjoy a full day exploring the unique wilderness of Rubondo Island, one of Africa’s most remote and untouched wildlife sanctuaries. A variety of activities are available, allowing for a personalised and immersive experience of the island’s diverse habitats.
Head out on a boat safari to observe hippos, crocodiles, and an impressive array of aquatic birdlife along the shores of Lake Victoria. For those interested in forest adventures, walking safaris offer opportunities to search for elusive species such as sitatunga, forest elephants, and rich birdlife hidden within the dense tropical vegetation.
Short game drives are available to access different areas of the island, and for a truly rare experience, guests may join the ongoing chimpanzee habituation project—a remarkable chance to witness one of Africa’s most intriguing conservation efforts.
Return to camp for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay surrounded by the sounds of Rubondo’s pristine wilderness.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Rubondo Island Camp
Day 3
Day 3 – Rubondo Island (Activities or Relaxation)
This day offers complete flexibility on Rubondo Island. Continue exploring the island with any of the guided activities available—boat safaris, forest walks, short game drives, or participation in the chimpanzee habituation project. Each option provides a different perspective on the island’s extraordinary wildlife and lush landscapes.
For those seeking a slower pace, time can be spent relaxing at the camp, enjoying the tranquil lakeside setting, birdwatching from the deck, or simply unwinding among the sounds of the forest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Rubondo Island Camp
Day 4
Day 4 – Departure from Rubondo Island
After breakfast, transfer to the Rubondo Island airstrip for the connecting flight to the next destination. This marks the end of the itinerary, concluding a memorable stay on one of Africa’s most untouched and unique wilderness islands.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: End of itinerary
Travel Time: Transfer to airstrip as per flight schedule
