Rubondo Island NP

-2.30855 , 31.85481

Tanzania

Rubondo Np is an island in the South western part of lake Victoria.covering an area of 456.8 sq km with a length of 26km and a width which varies from 3km to 10km,is one of the largest island national park in africa.Best known as the green pearl in the blue waters,the vegetation here is  evergreen a characteristic of tropical rainforest.This untouched willderness looks as if it has never been inhabited by man giving you a vivid picture of a jurasic park.The park is home to over 400 species of nesting birds,mainly waterbirds and forest species which i can term them as "birds of the West" which can only be found here in this magnificent part of Tanzania.

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The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Site name was changed by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) into "Rubondo Island NP" (2021-02-17 20:39:39 )

Coordinates were changed by Isaac Kilusu : -2.3085/31.8548 (2021-02-17 09:41:03 )

Site name was changed by Isaac Kilusu into "Rubondo Island NP" (2021-02-17 09:41:03 )

Site name was changed by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) into "Rubondo NP" (2021-02-15 21:27:36 )

Coordinates were set by Isaac Kilusu : -2.3085/31.8548 (2021-02-06 08:13:01 )

Site name was set by Isaac Kilusu as "Rubondo National Park" (2021-02-06 08:13:01 )

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-15 06:31:02
Rubondo Np is an island in the South western part of lake Victoria.covering an area of 456.8 sq km with a length of 26km and a width which varies from 3km to 10km,is one of the largest island national park in africa.Best known as the green pearl in the blue waters,the vegetation here is  evergreen a characteristic of tropical rainforest.This untouched willderness looks as if it has never been inhabited by man giving you a vivid picture of a jurasic park.The park is home to over 400 species of nesting birds,mainly waterbirds and forest species which i can term them as "birds of the West" which can only be found here in this magnificent part of Tanzania.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Blue-spotted Wood-Dove (Turtur afer)
Eastern Plantain-eater (Crinifer zonurus)
Blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monachus)
Black Coucal (Centropus grillii)
Blue Malkoha (Ceuthmochares aereus)
Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis)
Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath)
Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis)
Banded Snake-Eagle (Circaetus cinerascens)
Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus)
Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill (Bycanistes subcylindricus)
Blue-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon malimbica)
Blue-breasted Bee-eater (Merops variegatus)
Madagascar Bee-eater (Merops superciliosus)
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus bilineatus)
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus chrysoconus)
Double-toothed Barbet (Pogonornis bidentatus)
Green-backed Woodpecker (Campethera maculosa)
Red-headed Lovebird (Agapornis pullarius)
Gray Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)
Brown-throated Wattle-eye (Platysteira cyanea)
Black-headed Gonolek (Laniarius erythrogaster)
Papyrus Gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri)
Gray-capped Warbler (Eminia lepida)
Carruthers's Cisticola (Cisticola carruthersi)
Greater Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus rufescens)
White-headed Sawwing (Psalidoprocne albiceps)
Angola Swallow (Hirundo angolensis)
Swamp Flycatcher (Muscicapa aquatica)
Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat (Cossypha niveicapilla)
Olive-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris chloropygius)
Red-chested Sunbird (Cinnyris erythrocercus)
Slender-billed Weaver (Ploceus pelzelni)
Northern Brown-throated Weaver (Ploceus castanops)
Vieillot's Black Weaver (Ploceus nigerrimus)
Compact Weaver (Pachyphantes superciliosus)
Red-headed Quelea (Quelea erythrops)
Fan-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes axillaris)
Black-and-white Mannikin (Spermestes bicolor)
Green-backed Twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula)
Fawn-breasted Waxbill (Estrilda paludicola)
Western Citril (Crithagra frontalis)
Papyrus Canary (Crithagra koliensis)

Fan-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes axillaris) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:48:51)

Black-and-white Mannikin (Spermestes bicolor) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:47:20)

Green-backed Woodpecker (Campethera maculosa) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:45:28)

White-headed Sawwing (Psalidoprocne albiceps) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:44:24)

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus chrysoconus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:44:05)

Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:42:25)

Northern Brown-throated Weaver (Ploceus castanops) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:42:05)

Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:41:25)

Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:40:44)

Eastern Plantain-eater (Crinifer zonurus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:39:27)

Angola Swallow (Hirundo angolensis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:38:20)

Slender-billed Weaver (Ploceus pelzelni) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:37:58)

Vieillot's Black Weaver (Ploceus nigerrimus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:37:29)

Swamp Flycatcher (Muscicapa aquatica) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:37:09)

Brown-throated Wattle-eye (Platysteira cyanea) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:36:36)

Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill (Bycanistes subcylindricus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:36:09)

Gray-capped Warbler (Eminia lepida) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:35:02)

Blue-spotted Wood-Dove (Turtur afer) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:32:58)

Black Coucal (Centropus grillii) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:32:09)

Blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monachus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:31:43)

Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:30:36)

Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:30:23)

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus bilineatus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:30:00)

Double-toothed Barbet (Pogonornis bidentatus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:29:39)

Blue Malkoha (Ceuthmochares aereus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:29:10)

Green-backed Twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:28:31)

Fawn-breasted Waxbill (Estrilda paludicola) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:28:12)

Olive-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris chloropygius) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:27:28)

Red-chested Sunbird (Cinnyris erythrocercus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:27:08)

Red-headed Quelea (Quelea erythrops) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:26:53)

Banded Snake-Eagle (Circaetus cinerascens) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:26:30)

Compact Weaver (Pachyphantes superciliosus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:26:09)

Western Citril (Crithagra frontalis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:25:51)

Papyrus Canary (Crithagra koliensis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:25:34)

Greater Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus rufescens) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:25:16)

Madagascar Bee-eater (Merops superciliosus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:25:01)

Blue-breasted Bee-eater (Merops variegatus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:24:45)

Blue-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon malimbica) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:24:19)

Black-headed Gonolek (Laniarius erythrogaster) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:23:57)

Papyrus Gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:23:36)

Carruthers's Cisticola (Cisticola carruthersi) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:23:18)

Red-headed Lovebird (Agapornis pullarius) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:23:01)

Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat (Cossypha niveicapilla) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:22:38)

Gray Parrot (Psittacus erithacus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-15 08:21:04)

  • Timing and strategy

The best time of the year to visit rubondo is from june to late November then from January to mid march before the long rains of april and may.A 3 night stay in asilia rubondo island camp or the tanzania national park self catering bandas will give you one of the best chances to enjoy the whole park bird wise.if you are coming by boat from kasenda port to mlaga point at the park near the mlaga rangers post start your birding expedition from here.The reeds on the shoreline host carruther's cisticola (best play-back the sound for it to show off)papyrus canaries,papyrus and black headed gonoleks.The nearby tall trees there are resident pairs of blue-breasted kingfishers which can be heard depending on the time of the day.At mlaga picnic site there are blue-breasted beeeaters,red headed queleas,red-chested sunbird,northern brown throated and slender billed weavers.From here you can drive through the thick woodlands,there is a chance of seeing blue-spotted wooddove,western banded snake eagle,african pygmy kingfishers and many other forest specialist

Take a stop at the short grassy plain at the airport for fawn breasted waxbil, Madagascar and white throated beeeaters,plain backed pipit,olive bellied sunbird,blacksmith and spurwinged lapwings,several species of butterflies can also be seen.Drive towards asilia camp on the 6km sign post for cinnamon chested and little beeeaters,peters and green twinspot,just on fig trees near the camp if they are fruiting there is a chance of seeing your first African grey parrot.The thick bushes host resident snowly crowned robinchats and green white eyes are almost everywhere

On the second day you can choose to explore the northern part of the park by foot,you will be picked by your driver guide upto a drop off point with a ranger with you.There are sereval species of sunbirds,robinchats ,hornbills and raptors in this side,there is also a big chance of seeing your first black shouldered nightjar,several cuckoo species and flycatchers are resident here.in the evening take a boat ride to maji matakatifu("holly waters" in Swahili)for Goliath, blackheaded,purple and squacco herons,several ducks and weavers are also abound.From here head towads the south exploring the shoreline for angolan swallows,white-headed sawing,vieillot's black weavers,striated heron,african fish eagle,palmnut vulture,malachite,giant,pied and kingfishers,Finally arrive at a small islet known as the bird island where you can add several water birds to your list that you may have missed.From here you can choose to move further south or go back to camp

On the 3rd day get a packed lunch and drive towards the south on the tip of the island past Lukukuru rangers post,which is a more open rocky grassland,reeds and thick woodlands in some parts, for several species of waxbills,red headed love birds,black coucal,golden backed,compact weaver,magpie mannikin++.there is a chance of seeing your first girrafe or elephants here.After lunch headed back  then turn right on the sign post towards Lukaga rangers post which is an open hilly grassland for common quil,flappet lark and desert cisticolas,several species of whydahs can be spotted as well here,in the evening head back to camp still keeping your eyes peeled in the thick woodlands you might tick a specie or two.Rubondo island camp which is part of great asilia property offers great bird guides as well  you can as well come with your guide if you wish because birds guides here are not always ready available

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-15 07:28
The best time of the year to visit rubondo is from june to late November then from January to mid march before the long rains of april and may.A 3 night stay in asilia rubondo island camp or the tanzania national park self catering bandas will give you one of the best chances to enjoy the whole park bird wise.if you are coming by boat from kasenda port to mlaga point at the park near the mlaga rangers post start your birding expedition from here.The reeds on the shoreline host carruther's cisticola (best play-back the sound for it to show off)papyrus canaries,papyrus and black headed gonoleks.The nearby tall trees there are resident pairs of blue-breasted kingfishers which can be heard depending on the time of the day.At mlaga picnic site there are blue-breasted beeeaters,red headed queleas,red-chested sunbird,northern brown throated and slender billed weavers.From here you can drive through the thick woodlands,there is a chance of seeing blue-spotted wooddove,western banded snake eagle,african pygmy kingfishers and many other forest specialist Take a stop at the short grassy plain at the airport for fawn breasted waxbil, Madagascar and white throated beeeaters,plain backed pipit,olive bellied sunbird,blacksmith and spurwinged lapwings,several species of butterflies can also be seen.Drive towards asilia camp on the 6km sign post for cinnamon chested and little beeeaters,peters and green twinspot,just on fig trees near the camp if they are fruiting there is a chance of seeing your first African grey parrot.The thick bushes host resident snowly crowned robinchats and green white eyes are almost everywhere On the second day you can choose to explore the northern part of the park by foot,you will be picked by your driver guide upto a drop off point with a ranger with you.There are sereval species of sunbirds,robinchats ,hornbills and raptors in this side,there is also a big chance of seeing your first black shouldered nightjar,several cuckoo species and flycatchers are resident here.in the evening take a boat ride to maji matakatifu("holly waters" in Swahili)for Goliath, blackheaded,purple and squacco herons,several ducks and weavers are also abound.From here head towads the south exploring the shoreline for angolan swallows,white-headed sawing,vieillot's black weavers,striated heron,african fish eagle,palmnut vulture,malachite,giant,pied and kingfishers,Finally arrive at a small islet known as the bird island where you can add several water birds to your list that you may have missed.From here you can choose to move further south or go back to camp On the 3rd day get a packed lunch and drive towards the south on the tip of the island past Lukukuru rangers post,which is a more open rocky grassland,reeds and thick woodlands in some parts, for several species of waxbills,red headed love birds,black coucal,golden backed,compact weaver,magpie mannikin++.there is a chance of seeing your first girrafe or elephants here.After lunch headed back  then turn right on the sign post towards Lukaga rangers post which is an open hilly grassland for common quil,flappet lark and desert cisticolas,several species of whydahs can be spotted as well here,in the evening head back to camp still keeping your eyes peeled in the thick woodlands you might tick a specie or two.Rubondo island camp which is part of great asilia property offers great bird guides as well bird well  you can as well come with your guide depending on your tasteif you wish because birds guides here are not always ready available
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-15 07:25
The best time of the year to visit rubondo is from june to late November then from January to mid march before the long rains of april and may.A 3 night stay in asilia rubondo island camp or the tanzania national park self catering bandas will give you one of the best chances to enjoy the whole park bird wise.if you are coming by boat from kasenda port to mlaga point at the park near the mlaga rangers post start your birding expedition from here.The reeds on the shoreline host carruther's cisticola (best play-back the sound for it to show off)papyrus canaries,papyrus and black headed gonoleks.The nearby tall trees there are resident pairs of blue-breasted kingfishers which can be heard depending on the time of the day.At mlaga picnic site there are blue-breasted beeeaters,red headed queleas,red-chested sunbird,northern brown throated and slender billed weavers.From here you can drive through the thick woodlands,there is a chance of seeing blue-spotted wooddove,western banded snake eagle,african pygmy kingfishers and many other forest specialist Take a stop at the short grassy plain at the airport for fawn breasted waxbil, Madagascar and white throated beeeaters,plain backed pipit,olive bellied sunbird,blacksmith and spurwinged lapwings,several species of butterflies can also be seen.Drive towards asilia camp on the 6km sign post for cinnamon chested and little beeeaters,peters and green twinspot,just on fig trees near the camp if they are fruiting there is a chance of seeing your first African grey parrot.The thick bushes host resident snowly crowned robinchats and green white eyes are almost everywhere On the second day you can choose to explore the northern part of the park by foot,you will be picked by your driver guide upto a drop off point with a ranger with you.There are sereval species of sunbirds,robinchats ,hornbills and raptors in this side,there is also a big chance of seeing your first black shouldered nightjar,several cuckoo species and flycatchers are resident here.in the evening take a boat ride to maji matakatifu("holly waters" in Swahili)for Goliath, blackheaded,purple and squacco herons,several ducks and weavers are also abound.From here head towads the south exploring the shoreline for angolan swallows,white-headed sawing,vieillot's black weavers,striated heron,african fish eagle,palmnut vulture,malachite,giant,pied and kingfishers,Finally arrive at a small islet known as the bird island where you can add several water birds to your list that you may have missed.From here you can choose to move further south or go back to camp On the 3rd day get a packed lunch and drive towards the south on the tip of the island past Lukukuru rangers post,which is a more open rocky grassland,reeds and thick woodlands in some parts, for several species of waxbills,red headed love birds,black coucal,golden backed,compact weaver,magpie mannikin++.there is a chance of seeing your first girrafe or elephants here.After lunch headed back  then turn right on the sign post towards Lukaga rangers post which is an open hilly grassland for common quil,flappet lark and desert cisticolas,several species of whydahs can be spotted as well here,in the evening head back to camp still keeping your eyes peeled in the thick woodlands you might tick a specie or two.Rubondo island camp which is part of great asilia property offers great bird guides as well bird you can as well come with your guide depending on your taste
  • How to get there

Rubondo can be reached by air (there is an airstrip from the park near kageye )either from Rwanda via bukoba or from arusha and serengeti areas,ask auric or coastal air for more expertise.

By boat rubondo can be reached by two sites,one is from the unpopular nkome port which will take 2+hours depending on the condition of the lake and the other site is Kasenda port which is the most famous one for people coming from either bukoba or mwanza via chato to mganza.take a taxi from mganza or motorbike which can cost afew tanzanian coins to kasenda port from here your host will pick you up(asilia camp boat captain or Tanzania national park authority)you can take a 15mins boat ride to Mlaga rangers post where you will be driven to your camp with a 4×4 open vehicle which is excellent for birding.You can also be picked by boat from kasenda towards the northern part of the park then to the eastern sides where the camps are located and will take aproximately 1hour.

If you are coming to arusha by public transport overnight in mwanza then the next day take a bus ,8hours drive to mganza buststop from here pick a taxi or motorbike to kasenda port

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-15 07:46
Rubondo can be reached by air (there is an airstrip from the park near kageye )either from Rwanda via bukoba or from arusha and serengeti areas,ask auric or coastal air for more expertise. By boat rubondo can be reached by two sites,one is from the unpopular nkome port which will take 2+hours depending on the condition of the lake and the other site is Kasenda port which is the most famous one for people coming from either bukoba or mwanza via chato to mganza.take a taxi from mganza or motorbike which can cost afew tanzanian coins to kasenda port from here your host will pick you up(asilia camp boat captain or Tanzania national park authority)you can take a 15mins boat ride to Mlaga rangers post where you will be driven to your camp with a 4×4 open vehicle which is excellent for birding.You can also be picked by boat from kasenda towards the northern part of the park then to the eastern sides where the camps are located and will take aproximately 1hour. If you are coming to arusha by public transport overnight in mwanza then the next day take a bus ,8hours drive to mganza buststop from here pick a taxi or motorbike to kasenda port

entry points are as explained on where to get there context,park fees here are always subjected to change so for more information check www.rubondoislandnationalpark.com or get intouch with www.rubondoislandcamp.com

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-15 07:49
entry points are as explained on where to get there context,park fees here are always subjected to change so for more information check www.rubondoislandnationalpark.com or get intouch with www.rubondoislandcamp.com
  • Other attractions

Other attractions include chimpanzee tracking(which you will pay 90usd tracking fee per head)Sport fishing,Guided forest walks.big game viewing,big crocodiles,water monitors,vervet monkeys,sitatunga antelopes,suni,bushbucks,hippos,black and white colobus monkeys,girrafes and elephants

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-15 07:53
Other attractions include chimpanzee tracking(which you will pay 90usd tracking fee per head)Sport fishing,Guided forest walks.big game viewing,big crocodiles,water monitors,vervet monkeys,sitatunga antelopes,suni,bushbucks,hippos,black and white colobus monkeys,girrafes and elephants

The only facilities here are Tanapa bandas which you will pay 45usd on a self catering basis,and the other is Rubondo island camp which is a small luxury camp that offers first class accomodation and the cuisine is excellent

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-15 07:55
The only facilities here are Tanapa bandas which you will pay 45usd on a self catering basis,and the other is Rubondo island camp which is a small luxury camp that offers first class accomodation and the cuisine is excellent

Rubondo is one of the safest National park all over tanzania but keep an eye on a marauding crocodile whenever you are walking near the beach or the shore like,this is a crocodile island.Mosquitoes are also here so dont forget to carry your mosquito repellant

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-15 07:58
Rubondo is one of the safest National park all over tanzania but keep an eye on a marauding crocodile whenever you are walking near the beach or the shore like,this is a crocodile island.Mosquitoes are also here so dont forget to carry your mosquito repellant
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