CSC Tanzania - Rubondo Island 3nts

Day notes

EXPERIENCE RUBONDO ISLAND

Rubondo Island offers superb rewards for the adventurous and active where days can be spent exploring the pristine forest and water around the island. With easy access to Rubondo’s unique island ecosystem, the selection of activities for camp guests is focused around discovering and enjoying the remarkable wilderness areas found across the island. Highly trained Asilia guides lead guests on forest walks and drives, with an astonishing array of birdlife waiting to be discovered.

Activities aren’t restricted to dry land either, with canoe excursions making for a magical way to discover and appreciate the island. The waters around Rubondo are also a haven for tilapia and the famous Nile perch, a sought-after game fish that attracts anglers from across the globe.

FISHING

Rubondo Island offers some of the best fishing in East Africa and is renowned worldwide amongst anglers who travel here for the opportunity to hook into one of Africa’s biggest and most sought after fresh water species – the Nile Perch, which can weigh in excess of 100kgs.

Rubondo Island Camp practices and supports a strict catch and release policy. We have 2 fishing boats which are professionally fitted and can either be shared by a group of guests or booked privately. Our boats are equipped with the latest in electronic and navigational gear and have all the necessary safety equipment on board. All rods, reels and lures are provided and our professionally trained guides and skippers cater for professionals and novices alike. Rubondo Island Camp makes use of a variety of fishing techniques including trolling, spinning live and dead bait and fly fishing. Additional charges and permits apply to the fishing – please speak to the managers and guides for more information.

SHORE FISHING

Fishing from shore is limited to the areas around the camp so as to limit encounters with dangerous animals. We offer a variety of spinning lures and soft plastic baits, matched with light spinning rods and reels. The main target species will be Nile Perch or you could try your hand at traditional Tilapia fishing using locally made fishing rods and algae from the rocks as bait!

FOREST DRIVE

A forest safari at Rubondo Island Camp is an exhilarating experience for nature and outdoors lovers. A 4x4 Vehicle ensures a comfortable drive that will enable you to experience all that the forest has to offer and bring you in close proximity with numerous species. Qualified and knowledgeable guides will take guests on an educational journey of breathtaking scenery, diverse vegetation and prolific bird and micro life. Rubondo Island Camp does not focus on big game viewing but rather on small forest game and bird life. A picnic breakfast or lunch can be incorporated into the forest drive and can be combined with a boat excursion and walk.

NATURE WALKS

The best time for walking is in the morning or afternoon when it is slightly cooler. Longer walks will be done in the mornings after breakfast on properly set trails through the forest, while shorter walks around camp can be done in the afternoons. All walks will be accompanied by an Asilia guide and park ranger, with a maximum of 6 guests, and will focus on the forest and its animal, bird, insect and plant life. The longer walks will last roughly 4 hours and will venture into areas of the park the chimps frequent, giving guests the opportunity to see their nests but not necessarily seeing the chimps. The shorter afternoon walks will incorporate a visit to bird hides. (Note: Once the chimp habituation process has progressed to a point where we can offer dedicated chimp tracking excursions, it will form an independent activity from the Nature Walk.)

Guided longer day hikes and multi-day hikes are available for keen hikers. Please note that all walks must be booked the day before in order for the camp Managers to book a Tanapa Park Ranger.

BOAT EXCURSIONS

Boat excursions can be enjoyed at any time of the day. The activity will focus on the various bird islands and the abundance of bird life in the area. Other wildlife likely to be seen includes crocodiles, monitor lizards, spotted necked otters and hippos. Boat excursions can be done from either side of the island which allows for the opportunity to combine with a forest drive and a picnic lunch.

SWAMP EXCURSIONS

A half day activity which, after an healthy breakfast, will have you driving through the awakening forest as you make your way to the Mlaga Ranger Post. Here you board your boat and cruise along the swampland which lines the western shore of the island. The vegetation here is so different that it attracts some birds which are only found in this area of the island. The elusive sitatunga hides amongst the papyrus while crocodiles lurk in the shallows. Enjoy a picnic lunch and the beautiful scenery before taking a slow drive back to camp.

BIRDING

Rubondo Island National Park is a bird watcher’s paradise with over 300 endemic and migratory species. December to February is the best time for spotting migratory birds. This fully protected Island National Park provides exceptional habitat variety ensuring there is always something new to experience or record; open grasslands on rocky ridges, giant old forest tree stands, dense woodland thickets, expanses of lakeshore papyrus and small breeding islands all help with the species count. Add in that large-lake evening light, the aqua acoustics and the drama of the skies and you have a sensuous recipe for any nature lover or photographer. The bird list we have provided you with is only a first draft so if you do see something that is not on the list please let the guides and managers know so that we can add to our records.

CANOEING

Guided canoe trips (self-paddle or assisted) allow you to explore quiet corners of the island and soak up the tranquility of Rubondo. The unique paddling excursion gives you a completely different perspective of the Island and also offers you the ability to view birds and aquatic life from the water. A paddle safari can be combined with a guided walk or a forest drive and can be rounded off with a picnic lunch on the beach.

DHOW SAFARIS

Take a ride on our dhow at any time, weather permitting. Sunset cruises and bird watching from this traditional mode of transport is a special way to experience this idyllic lake.

SPA TREATMENTS

Rubondo Island Camp hosts a wonderful masseuse, who is trained in a range of massage and wellness techniques. If you would like to spoil yourself please contact the Camp Managers who will assist you with a booking.