What You Need to Know: Rubondo Island National Park is reached from Mwanza by light aircraft or by road and boat. It is known for sitatunga antelopes, birds, walks and sport fishing; its chimpanzees, released in the 1960s, are only partly habituated and not reliably seen. Entry costs about US$35.40 per adult per day. Saanane Island is a short boat ride from Mwanza. Trips are quoted for your dates.
Rubondo Island National Park at a Glance
Rubondo covers about 457 km² of island and water. Its forests and papyrus swamps hold sitatunga, a shy swamp antelope, along with bushbucks, hippos and crocodiles. Elephants and giraffes were introduced decades ago. Chimpanzees released on the island in the 1960s are being habituated, but sightings are not guaranteed.
- Forest walks with a ranger
- Boat trips along the shore for birds, hippos and crocodiles
- Sport fishing for Nile perch and tilapia (catch and release)
- Birdwatching: fish eagles, kingfishers and many water birds
Rubondo is for travelers who want something completely different from the busy northern parks: a forested island with no cars, very few visitors and the sound of water everywhere. You walk with a ranger through forest and along beaches, take boats among papyrus channels and fish for Nile perch, and watch fish eagles and kingfishers along the shore.
Wildlife here is about quiet encounters: a sitatunga in the reeds, a family of hippos in the shallows, monkeys in the trees. It pairs well with a Serengeti safari, as a peaceful finish after the game drives.
See our western Tanzania safaris.
Saanane Island
Saanane, a small island park a few minutes by boat from Mwanza, has rocky hills, impalas, rock hyraxes and good lake views: an easy half-day outing if you are in Mwanza.
Getting to Rubondo Island
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam or Arusha | Flight to Mwanza | About 1.5–2 hours |
| Mwanza | Light aircraft to Rubondo | About 30–45 minutes |
| Mwanza | By road and boat | Several hours |
| Serengeti (western) | By road to Mwanza | About 3–4 hours |
We book flights with Auric Air, Coastal Aviation, ZanAir and Rainbow Air Charter.
Suggested Rubondo Itineraries
| Length | Plan |
|---|---|
| 2–3 nights | Rubondo only, walks, boats and fishing |
| After the Serengeti | Drive from the western Serengeti to Mwanza and fly to Rubondo |
| Half day | Saanane Island from Mwanza |
Rubondo Park Fees
| Fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Rubondo and Saanane conservation fee | About US$35.40 per adult per 24 hours (incl. 18% VAT); children 5–15 about US$11.80 |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Rubondo?
June to August and December to February are the driest months. Fishing is good much of the year.
How We Run a Rubondo Trip
We run our southern and western safaris ourselves, with our own team, and book the light-aircraft flights for you. Jaynevy Tours is a licensed Tanzanian tour operator (TALA licence 014271), based in Moshi.
A 30% deposit confirms your safari and the balance is paid on arrival. Refunds: 100% if you cancel 60 days or more before arrival, 90% at 30–59 days, 60% at 15–29 days, 25% at 10–14 days, and nothing under 10 days.
Practical Tips for Rubondo Island
- Pack light: light aircraft to Rubondo allow about 15–20 kg of soft luggage
- Bring insect repellent and long sleeves for forest walks
- If you fish, ask us in advance so the camp can arrange the boat and gear
- Allow a night in Mwanza if your flights don't connect on the same day
Rubondo has very few places to stay, so book early. Bring light clothes, a rain jacket, insect repellent and sturdy shoes for forest walks. Mobile signal is limited, and the island's peace is part of the experience. Allow extra time for flights from Mwanza, which may run only on certain days.
The Sitatunga of Rubondo
Rubondo is one of the best places in East Africa to see the sitatunga, a shy, water-loving antelope with long, splayed hooves for walking on papyrus swamps. They are most often seen early in the morning from boats along the shore.
Fishing on Lake Victoria
Rubondo's waters are known for Nile perch, which can grow very large, and tilapia. Fishing is catch and release in the park, from boats run by the lodge; ask us in advance so the gear and boat can be arranged.
Rubondo's History
Rubondo was declared a national park in 1977, but its unusual mix of wildlife dates from the 1960s, when animals including chimpanzees, elephants and giraffes were released on the island to create a refuge. The chimpanzees, rescued from captivity in Europe, have since formed their own wild communities.
The island's isolation means its forests and swamps are well preserved, and its waters are a breeding ground for fish that support fishing communities around the lake.
Combining Rubondo with the Serengeti
Rubondo makes a peaceful ending to a Serengeti safari. From the western Serengeti, drive to Mwanza in about three to four hours, then fly or go by road and boat to the island. Two or three nights of walks, boat trips and fishing provide a quiet contrast to the game drives, before flying home from Mwanza.
Common Questions About Rubondo
Can you see chimpanzees on Rubondo?
Sometimes, but they are only partly habituated, so sightings are not guaranteed. For reliable chimp trekking, choose Mahale or Gombe.
How do I get to Rubondo?
Fly to Mwanza, then take a light aircraft to the island, or go by road and boat.
What is Saanane Island?
A small island national park a few minutes by boat from Mwanza, good for a half-day visit.
Is Rubondo good for birdwatching?
Yes: fish eagles, kingfishers, herons and many other water birds live along the shores.
How many days should I spend on Rubondo?
Two or three nights for walks, boat trips and fishing.
Is Rubondo good for families?
Yes, for families who enjoy walking, boats and quiet nature.
Is there mobile signal on Rubondo?
Limited; expect to be mostly offline.
The Bottom Line
Rubondo is a peaceful island escape on Lake Victoria for walkers, birders and anglers. Add it after a Serengeti safari.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and the parks you are interested in through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our team will reply with a written quotation.