Welcome to Rubondo
1.
Rubondo Island National Park
Rubondo Island National Park is one of two
Tanzanian National Parks located on an island in Lake Victoria (the other being
Saanane Island National Park). The island attracts a small number of visitors
each year, mainly game fishermen and bird enthusiasts.
2.
Rubondo Geography
Rubondo Island is located in the
south-western corner of Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Rubondo Island is about 150 km
(93 mi) west of Mwanza. The main island, Rubondo (2o 18’ S, 31o 50’ E) is 237
km2 in size. The island protects another 11 islets, none much larger than 2
km2.
These 10 islands form the Rubondo Island
National Park covering an area of 456.8 km2 (176.4 sq mi). Lake Victoria is
1,134 metres above sea level. The highest point on Rubondo is the Masa Hills in
the far south, at an elevation of 1,486m (350m above the level of the lake).
The main island measures 28 km from north
to south and is 3–10 km wide. Rubondo Island is on a rift in the lake. Rubondo
essentially consists of a partially submerged rift of four volcanically formed
hills, linked by three flatter isthmuses.
The island has no rivers and the soil is
volcanic. The habitat is mixed evergreen and semi deciduous forest, which
covers about 80% of the island’s surface area with common species including
Croton sylvaticus, Drypetes gerrardii, and Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius, and
often with a dense understory of lianas, or woody vines.
The forest is interspersed with patches of
open grassland and, all but restricted to the Lukaya area, acacia woodland. The
eastern lakeshore is characterised by rocky areas and sandy beaches whilst the
western shore supports extensive papyrus swamps, lined with date palms.
3.
Rubondo Climate
There is a bimodal rainfall distribution,
with peaks in December and April–May during the October–May rainy season. The
annual temperature is 19–26 0C.
4.
Rubondo History
Rubondo Island became a game reserve in
1965, to provide a sanctuary for animals. Rubondo Island was gazetted as a
national park in 1977. Today Rubondo is uninhabited. Consequently, 80% of the
island remains forested today. The 400 “fisher folk” of the Zinza tribe, who
lived on the island and maintained banana plantations, were resettled on
neighbouring islands and onto the mainland by the government in the late 1960s.
As a rule the court passed sentences of six weeks imprisonment for unauthorised
landings on the island and six months for attempted poaching
5.
Chimpanzee research and Tourism
In 2012-2014 a research group from
University College London undertook a study of the Rubondo chimpanzees. Since
2015 Tanzania national park managers have been running a chimpanzee habituation
project. The hope is that one day it will be possible to reliably view the
Rubondo chimpanzees. As of 2016 it is still not possible to see the Rubondo
chimpanzees as a visitor.
Common native fauna includes the vervet
monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei), hippopotamus,
genet and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus).
6.
Park Attractions
- A
variety of water birds, Eurasian migrants and introduced African grey parrots
-
High density of African fish eagles distinctly seen
-
Animal species including Sitatunga, Elephants, Giraffes, Hippos,
Bushbucks, Pythons,
Crocodiles,
Chimpanzees (not fully habituated), Bush pigs and Suni
-
The Lake Victoria forming a spectacular sight for visitors with the
deepest point in the lake
(Irumo)
forming part of the park
-
Magnificent view of one of the last remaining representatives of
evergreen dense primary
lowland
Congolese forest with a unique habitat mosaic in the midst of high biodiversity
value
-
Beautiful and attracting beaches such as Fly catcher, Mchangani and
Michicoco
-
Important gulfs of Irumo and Kamea
-
Clear sighting of both sun rise and sun set
-
Cultural sites such as “Ntungamirwe”, “Maji Matakatifu”, “Altare” and
“Solo” which explain
the
life of natives who once stayed in the park
- “Birds Islands”, breeding sit for water
birds
-
Crocodile Island
7.
Park Activities
Game Drives, Bird
Watching, Walking Safaris, (Rangers required. Can be arranged in advance through
Park Office (See park fees), visitors are advised to carry some dry stuff while
going for long walks.
8.
Gallery
Bandas:
Located about two
kilometers from the Park headquarters with 1 unit of well maintained uniport
with triple beds inside/self contained and 5 double bed rooms all self
contained with hot shower service. Maximum capacity 13 pax per night.
Rest House:
Owned by TANAPA and
located about two kilometers from Park headquarters with 2 singles, 1 triple
beds room and 1 double bed sized room all being self contained with TV and hot
shower. Maximum/full capacity is 7 pax per night.
Youth hostel:
Located at park
headquarters. Capacity 36 persons (16 boys, 16 girls and two rooms with double
beds to accommodated 4 teachers.)
Resting shelters:
Four resting shelter
located at bandas facing a magnificent view of the lake where visitors rest
while enjoying the lake breeze during a day.
Dining and Kitchen:
A well maintained and
fully equipped facility comprising of dining and kitchen owned by the park, all
visitors are advised to bring in some foodstuffs while the park provides
kitchen and dining facilities. Note that, the place is self catering.
Campfire:
The dining/kitchen
facility faces a fireplace where fire is normally lit for visitors to stay
nearby during evening times while enjoying their barbecue and drinks.
Shop:
One shop owned by
TANAPA Rubondo staff located at Park headquarters which sells some household
items and beverages for both staff and visitor uses.
Public Campsites:
Mlaga campsite which
can accommodate up to 30 persons one per night. (Not operating currently)
Picnic Sites:
Four picnic sites two
of which being located at Maji matakatifu, one at Pongo view point and one at
Mamba trail, they all face a spectacular view of the lake at different sights
which together bring the aesthetic value of the park thus adding to visitors
satisfaction.
Video
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