RUBONDO ISLAND NATIONAL PARK & UKEREWE…
RUBONDO ISLAND NATIONAL PARK & UKEREWE…
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) west of Mwanza city. The 2nd island park is Saa Nane Island NP, which is near by 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. This national park is 456.8 km2 of which approx 50% is dry land and 50% 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 love the challenge of coming face to face with the
iconic Nile Perch! A stay on Rubonda Island and a Lake Victoria Safari is a unique way of experiencing Tanzania and its African wildlife. It’s remoteness and lack of human influence ensures you will have very special memories that few will ever have, and you will have played your part
in conserving this extraordinary wildlife refuge for generations to come. Rubondo Island can be reached by park boat from two different locations.
One option is the boat from Kasenda, a small village near Muganza in Chato District. The other option is the boat from Nkome in Geita District. By airplane, Rubondo Airstrip can be reached with Auric Air or Coastal Aviation.
PACKAGE DETAILS:
DAY 1 – Transport, Crocodiles & Campfires! At the start of this unique Lake Victoria Safari we will meet and greet you from your flight or bus. We will drive you to Muganza to take a 20 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. In the afternoon 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 – Lake Safari
After an early coffee, you will go on a game drive to try and spot big game like elephant, giraffe and other small animals, reptiles and birds. You will come back to base for a hearty brunch. In the afternoon you will then take an exciting Lake Safari to enjoy the spectacular beauty of the Island. You will head to bird Island to enjoy more of the lakes birds life, the secretive sitatunga’s and the breath taking hippo and crocodiles in the water. (We can also arrange for you to fish on
the lake (Sport fishing- for an additional charge)
DAY 3 – Island Discovery & Transfer
Island discovery & Transfer Today you will have a free morning on Rubondo Island to feel its tranquility and to relax. You will leave the Island after an early Brunch. We will take you back to the mainland and on to the town of Bukoba, or else arrange a flight direct from the island to Mwanza, the Serengeti or back home!
RECOMMENDED EXTRA: Chimpanzee habituation
experience Rubondo Island offers a unique opportunity for you
to spend time with habitutators in the field observing these extraordinary monkeys. Please request additional price at time of booking.
UKEREWE ISLAND :
Ukerewe is the largest island in Lake Victoria and the largest inland island in Africa, with an area of
approximately 530 km2. Ukerewe Island is situated in the Ukerewe District of
Tanzania, 45 km (25 nautical miles / 31⁄2 hours) north of Mwanza to which it is linked by ferry,but a shorter vehicle ferry crossing of only 3.8 km also links the island across the Rugezi Channel to a dirt road on the eastern lake shore, which runs to Kibara and Musoma. The shoreline of Ukerewe Island is carved into numerous bays and it is surrounded by at least a
dozen smaller islands. Its largest community is Nansio. Ukerewe is known for having a large population of Africans with albinism.
Many of the first of them to live there were taken to and abandoned on the island by their families as children.
Despite comprising an exceptionally high percentage of the island’s population, they are still, as throughout Tanzania, an oppressed minority although on Ukerewe safer than elsewhere in Africa.
PACKAGE DETAILS
DAY 1 – Mwanza to Ukerewe Island You will leave Mwanza after breakfast to board the
boat to Ukerewe island, a 2 hour journey. On arrival you will be welcomed by an experienced local guide who will show you around the island and entertain you with fascinating stories of its residents and famous chiefs.
DAY 2 – Ukerewe Island
After breakfast you will visit the islands most historical and scenic sites by bicycle including Ahandbezo, the beach based coconut farm and the burial place of Ukerewe’s great writers. Ukerewe is famed throughout history for its intellectuals. Overnight at lodge.
DAYS 3 to 5 – Ukara Island discovery & Transfer
You will take a boat to another island of the Ukerewe archipelago – Ukara island. Here you will discover its rural lifestyle and enjoy a relaxing 1 night stay before returning to the main island of Nansio-Ukerewe for your final night. On the morning of the 5th day you will board the boat back to Mwanza.
These prices include:
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Moshi (before & after climb)
- Group transport to and from Moshi to the trail head
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, rescue fees and Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only
- Private toilet
- Four season, 3 person mountain tents, double occupancy
- Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thick
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
- Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
- Breakfast at hotel
Not included in price:
- Airfare
- Lunch or dinner at hotel
- Beverages at hotel
- Personal gear and equipment
- Tips
