Rubondo Island National park is tucked in the southwest corner of Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest lake, an inland sea sprawling between Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, with nine smaller islands under its wing.  Rubondo protects precious fish breeding grounds.

Tasty tilapia form the staple diet of the yellow spotted otters that frolic in the islands rocky coves, Nile perch some weighing over 100 kg, tempt the game fishermen seeking world record catches.  This is more than a water wonderland, deserted sandy beaches, against a cloak of virgin forest, will bushbucks move fleet yet silent through the maze of tamarinds, wild palms and sycamore figs.

Flocks of African grey parrots, released onto the island after they were confiscated from illegal exporters, screech in comic discord as they flap between the trees.

Wild jasmine, 40 different orchids and a smorgasbord of sweet smells emanate from the forest.

A number of mammal species, the hippo, vervet monkey, genet and mongoose, share their protected habitat with introduced species such as chimpanzees, black and white Colobus, elephant and giraffe, all benefit from Rubondo inaccessibility.

The park is 176 square miles in size; the location is Northwest Tanzania, 95 miles from Mwanza.

To get there scheduled or charter flights from Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Mwanza in peak season, charter flight only in low season.  By road from Mwanza and then boat transfer, contact the park for details.

What to do fishing, walking, and hiking.  Best time to go dry season is June to August, wildflowers and butterflies are the thing you will see. The Wet season which is November to March, December to February best for migratory birds.

Accommodations are slim, they have one luxury tented camp, there are park bandas and campsites and hostels for school groups.