Take a 4-day safari to Rubondo Island National Park, Tanzania’s largest island park, located on Africa’s biggest lake, Lake Victoria. This trip offers a mix of adventure, relaxation, and close encounters with chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Rubondo Island & Lake Victoria 4-Day Chimpanzee Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Flight to Rubondo Island National Park
- Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking / Habituation in Rubondo Island National Park
- Day 3: Explore Rubondo Island National Park
- Day 4: Flight to Arusha / Dar es Salaam
Rubondo Island & Lake Victoria 4-Day Chimpanzee Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Flight to Rubondo Island National Park
Begin your safari with a domestic flight to Rubondo Island from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, or Serengeti.
Upon arrival at the airstrip, your island safari guide will welcome you and transfer you to Rubondo Island Camp, about 20 minutes away. This will be your base during your stay on the island.
After check-in, relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the island surrounded by the calm waters of Lake Victoria. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Rubondo Island Camp.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking / Habituation in Rubondo Island National Park
After breakfast, set out for an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience. The chimpanzees on Rubondo Island were introduced in the late 1960s after being rescued from European zoos and circuses.
In groups of up to eight people, you will be guided by experienced trackers through the forest in search of the island’s two chimpanzee communities. Along the way, enjoy the natural sounds of the forest, birds, and the rustling of leaves as you explore this untouched habitat.
Spend time observing the chimpanzees as they play, feed, and interact, offering a rewarding wildlife experience. Return to your camp for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 3: Explore Rubondo Island National Park
Spend the day exploring the natural beauty and wildlife of Rubondo Island National Park. Start with a morning game drive through the forest and open areas where you may spot giraffes, elephants, bushbucks, suni antelopes, vervet monkeys, warthogs, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
Return to your lodge for lunch, and later in the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Victoria. Look out for hippos, crocodiles, otters, and sitatunga antelopes in the marshes. You may also spot water birds such as kingfishers, herons, storks, and African fish eagles.
End the day with a relaxing evening at your safari camp, followed by dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Flight to Arusha / Dar es Salaam
After breakfast, take a guided nature walk around the island to experience its natural beauty up close. This walk offers the perfect opportunity to appreciate the peaceful environment and the sounds of nature.
Later, return to your camp to check out. Your safari guide will then drive you to the Rubondo airstrip for your flight back to Arusha, Dar es Salaam, or Mwanza. This marks the end of your 4-day Rubondo Island & Lake Victoria Chimpanzee Safari.
