Lake Victoria Safari & Rubondo Island National Park

Tanzania

Not Rated

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Duration

3 Days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

English

Overview

Rubondo Island is the largest of one of only 2 island National Parks in Tanzania and is located on the south-west corner of Lake Victoria, 150 km (95 miles) from Geita Town. The 2nd island park is Saa Nane Island NP, which is nearby and which you will also visit during your stay. Lake Victoria is one of Africa’s Great Lakes and is the source of the River Nile (the world’s longest river), Africa’s largest lake and the second largest freshwater lake in the world. Rubondo national park is 456.8 km2 of which 236.8 km2 is dry land and 220 km2 is water comprising of 11 small islets. The park offers a vast variety of habitats for wildlife including: velvet monkeys, genet cats, spotted necked otters, hippopotamus, crocodiles, chimpanzees, elephants and giraffes. Only here can visitors to Tanzania be sure of seeing Sitatunga (marsh bucks). It is also a paradise for bird-lovers with nearly 400 species documented on the island. Fisherman also loves the challenge of coming face to face with the iconic Nile Perch!

Itinerary

Day 1 Walking Safari, Hippo pools & Campfires

Depart from Mwanza to start of this unique Lake Victoria Safari will drive direct to Kasenda to take a 30 minute boat ride across Lake Victoria to the magical Rubondo Island. On arrival you will take a 25 minute drive through the forest to your accommodation – you may spot your first game on route! You can then check in your room/banda while registration and confirming your activity plan is done by the park administration. After lunch, you will go on a 3 hour walking safari (guided) in the natural forest/along the beach. While hiking, you can enjoy viewing animals like sitatunga, bushbucks, suni, mongoose, bush pigs, genet cats and monkeys. There are many forest birds and butterflies on the lake and its shores. In the evening after dinner you can enjoy the quiet of the island around a campfire – a good time for a local beer or wine and reflect on an amazing day!

Day 2: Rubondo Island Lake Victoria Safari

After breakfast for boat riding in Lake Victoria (depending on weather you may opt to go in the morning or late afternoon). This is the best experience for game viewing in Lake Victoria as we will be able to reach very remote parts of Lake Victoria. Explore an uncountable number of Nile crocodiles, stopover at the breeding site for birds and observe schools of hippos. Rubondo Island offers an extraordinary experience you can't imagine. Rubondo is another destination in Tanzania where you can also track chimpanzee a part from Gombe and Mahale. We will walk back to the Bandas for our sumptuous meals while enjoying the cool breeze from the Great View of Lake Victoria as well sounds of hippos close to the Bandas. (We can also arrange for you to fish on the lake (Sport fishing-for an additional charge)

Day 3: Rubondo Island to Mwanza

After enjoying a buffet breakfast, collect your picnic lunch, check out and continue driving to Mwanza. On our way stop Geita town for Lunch. Later after having your lunch continue heading to Mwanza and drop at your hotel or else arrange a flight direct from the island to Mwanza.

Included/Excluded

The cost of all ground transportation and Fuel
Full time safari guide and his associated expenses
Park entrance fees
Accommodation and meals

Items of personal nature like Laundry, Beverages, Flights, Beers, Beverages
Tipping of staff.

Tour Categories

Tanzania Safaris

Durations

Multi day

Languages

English

Tour's Location

Tanzania

FAQs

This is your safari trip, your adventure! You decide how you want to spend your time on this vacation. If you would like to spend a full day on safari, you are definitely welcomed to do so. Visa Expeditions does not restrict your mileage, fuel or how much time you want to be on safari. While some days you may decide set out by sunrise, other days you can have a slower-paced breakfast before starting your daily exploration. Simply sit down with your guide to plan your day and meals the night before. Your guide will have plenty of suggestions, but of course, the decision is yours.

Safaris are casual vacations! Dress comfortably and pack lightly. As you will be spending most of your safari viewing in the vehicle, loose-fitting and light coloured clothing is recommended. Avoid dark colours (i.e. black, dark blue) as they tend to attract unwanted attention from insects such as the tsetse fly.

All park fees and conservation fees have a 24 hours limit. We plan your itinerary according to the park permits paid. Your safari driver guide will brief you the night before and provide suggestions regarding your schedule. Please note that any penalty fee resulting from the client’s wish to extend their stay will be at the guest’s expense.

It is recommended to stay inside your vehicles at all times when you are in the national parks unless your driver-guide find a safe area to stop for lunch or to stretch your legs. If you are keen on hiking, there are guided walks that are available in Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro. Within the Serengeti National Parks, long walks are not permitted during to conservation reasons, however, some lodgings will offer short walks near the lodge or camp.

It is important to never assume that any of the animals encountered on your game drive are tame. Though attacks by wild animals are unusual, nothing in the African wilderness is predictable. While you are staying in your safari lodges and camps, it is important to be especially cautious and aware of your surroundings as many of these areas are not fenced and contain wildlife roaming freely. If you have children with you, keep them in sight and do not let them wander alone. At smaller tented lodges, you will always be escorted to and from your tent for dinner or during the night. Should you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to raise them to the staff or your guide.

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