Luxury holidays in Rubondo Island National Park

In the Sixties, German zoologist Bernhard Grzimek changed the course of Rubondo Island’s history, introducing chimpanzees to establish a colony that’s now around 60-strong, and leading to its recognition as a Tanzanian National Park. The apes’ canopy-shaded neighbours include forest elephants; giraffes prefer the island’s southern plains, and hippos patrol Lake Victoria’s shoreline. To visit Rubondo Island is to be cast away to an African ark.

When to go

Birders will want to target December to March, when migratory species bolster the island’s feathered population. The dry season from July to October brings the best chances of seeing chimpanzees.

Getting there

  • Planes

    The island’s airstrip welcomes direct small-plane flights from Kigali and the Serengeti. If your international carrier touches down at Arusha, you’ll need to fly to Rubondo via the Serengeti.

  • Automobiles

    You won’t need a set of wheels here: all the driving in Rubondo Island falls to trained staff and guides.