Rubondo Island Camp

Rubondo Island Camp sits on the shore of Lake Victoria in northwest Tanzania — the sole lodge on a twenty-five thousand hectare island national park. Eight waterfront chalets stand on rolling lawns that open onto the lake shore. Each chalet has a king-sized bed under mosquito nets, an en-suite bathroom with hot running water, and a verandah looking out over the water and forest. A family chalet adds a second bedroom and connects easily to the main camp area and pool.

The island holds a resident group of wild chimpanzees, and the camp runs a habituation programme that takes guests out with guides to follow them through the forest. Sightings are not guaranteed — the chimps are still adjusting to human presence — but the tracking itself takes you deep into equatorial forest that also holds elephant, sitatunga, giraffe, hippo, crocodile, and over three hundred endemic and migratory bird species. December to March is when migratory birds arrive in the greatest numbers.

On the water, Nile perch fishing is catch-and-release from boats, the beach, or the rocky shore. Guided forest walks range from a one-hour route to multi-day hikes with a stay in a treehouse or a fly camp on the beach. Game drives run by boat or open vehicle. Meals are served outdoors at the main lodge; hippos emerge from the lake to graze at the camp's edge after dark.

Access to the island is by light aircraft or boat from Mwanza.