Rubondo Island Camp, Tanzania

Tucked along the forested shores of Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island Camp is Asilia’s exclusive gateway to Africa’s largest island national park.

This intimate camp features eight waterfront cottages, hand-built using local materials. Each cottage includes an en-suite bathroom, hot showers, and a private veranda overlooking the lake, offering a peaceful blend of comfort and immersion in nature.

Rubondo’s remote setting, surrounded by ancient sub-tropical forest, creates a haven for wildlife and guests alike. Elephants, giraffes, sitatungas, hippos, and, crocodiles roam freely, while over 300 species of birds make the island a birder’s paradise.

As the only lodge on the island, the camp promises unmatched privacy and quiet. A signature experience is the chimpanzee habituation trek, where guests can track and observe wild chimpanzees as part of a pioneering conservation initiative.

Other activities include guided forest walks, boat excursions, catch and release fishing for Nile perch, and birdwatching. For moments of rest, guests can enjoy the natural pool, or gather by the lakeside fire pit.

Whether exploring thick forest trails, cruising the lake, or simply unwinding by the water’s edge, Rubondo Island Camp offers a safari that is wild, restorative and deeply connected to nature.

What is special about Rubondo Island Camp?

Rubondo Island Camp is one of the most unique safari destinations in Africa. Located on a remote island in Lake Victoria, it is the only lodge within Rubondo Island National Park, offering total seclusion, in a setting that feels completely wild and untouched. The island is covered in ancient forest and fringed with sandy beaches, creating a rare mix of lush greenery, water, and abundant wildlife.

One of the camp’s most extraordinary features is its access to a pioneering chimpanzee habituation project. Guests can trek through dense forest to observe these fascinating primates as they gradually grow accustomed to human presence. This is one of the only places in East Africa, where such an experience is possible.

Beyond chimp trekking, Rubondo offers a wide range of activities, including boat safaris, guided forest walks, birding, and catch and release fishing for Nile perch. Elephants, giraffes, sitatungas, bushbuck, and hippos roam freely, while over 300 bird species thrive across the island’s varied habitats.

With just eight lakeside cottages, the camp promises an intimate experience, supported by warm hospitality and a commitment to conservation. Rubondo Island Camp is perfect for travellers seeking a quiet, meaningful escape that combines adventure, wildlife, and genuine connection with nature.

Reconnect with wild nature in Rubondo!

What unique features are incorporated in Rubondo Island Camp?

Isolation, wildness and purpose are defining attributes of the Rubondo Island Camp. As the only lodge in Rubondo Island National Park, it offers true exclusivity on a pristine island where ancient forest meets the largest lake in Africa. This setting alone makes it unlike any other safari destination, but it is the deeper impact of the experience that makes it ideal for the Conscious Explorer.

One of the camp’s most unique features is its partnership in the long-term chimpanzee habituation project. Guests can actively support conservation by joining low-impact treks to observe these rare primates in their natural habitat. The experience is scientific, respectful, and profoundly moving.

All eight lakeside cottages are built using local materials and designed to blend into the forest environment. The camp is powered by solar energy, employs people from neighbouring communities, and uses locally sourced produce wherever possible.

Activities such as catch and release fishing, birding, forest walks, and boat excursions are guided with care, ensuring a light footprint and meaningful engagement. Rubondo Island Camp encourages a slower, more mindful way to travel that connects guests with nature, conservation and local culture in a way that feels both personal and purposeful.

What activities are being offered at Rubondo Island Camp?

The Rubondo Island Camp offers a diverse range of activities that immerse guests in the wild beauty of this remote island. The highlight for many is the chimpanzee habituation experience, where guests trek through dense forest to observe wild chimps as they grow accustomed to human presence. This rare opportunity combines adventure with a real contribution to long-term conservation.

Boat safaris on Lake Victoria reveal hippos, crocodiles and water birds, while guided forest walks allow guests to explore the island’s interior and encounter giraffes, sitatungas, bushbuck and elephants on foot. Birdwatchers are well rewarded, with over 300 species recorded across the island’s varied habitats.

Catch and release fishing for Nile perch is a popular option, offering both challenge and relaxation in one of Africa’s great freshwater lakes. Guests can also enjoy peaceful time at the lodge, whether lounging by the natural pool, soaking in lake views from their cottage veranda, or sharing stories around the fire pit on the beach.

With all activities led by expert guides and tailored to individual interests and comfort, Rubondo is well suited to those who seek meaningful, nature-rich experiences, far from the ordinary.

Five distinctive highlights of Rubondo Island Camp

• A one-of-a-kind island safari: Rubondo Island is among the few places in Africa where a full safari experience takes place entirely on an island. Its blend of forest, shoreline, and freshwater habitats creates a rare and richly diverse setting for wildlife encounters — all surrounded by the vast waters of Lake Victoria.
  
• A living legacy of chimpanzee conservation: In the 1960s and 70s, Rubondo became a sanctuary for chimpanzees rescued from captivity. Today, that legacy continues through a pioneering habituation project, allowing guests to support and observe one of the continent’s most unique conservation efforts.
  
• A wild, roadless wilderness: With no public roads and no internal vehicle traffic, Rubondo offers a quieter, slower way to explore. Most activities unfold on foot or by boat, creating a more intimate and sustainable connection with the landscape.
  
• Rooted in local culture: Rubondo’s story is closely tied to the lakeshore communities of northwestern Tanzania. Many of the camp’s staff come from these villages, bringing local knowledge, hospitality, and a sense of shared purpose to every guest experience.
  
• A natural space to disconnect: With limited connectivity and an immersive natural setting, Rubondo invites guests to step away from screens and schedules. It’s a place to unplug, breathe deeply, and move at the rhythm of the wild.

Visit Tanzania’s hidden gem!