Chimpanzee safaris in Rubondo Island National Park
Rubondo Island National Park is one of the two island national parks located in Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Rubondo Island was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1965, and in 1977, the reserve was upgraded to national park status. The Zinza tribe used to inhabit the island at its formation, but they were resettled to the mainland and other islands around Lake Victoria. Rubondo Island is Africa’s largest island national park, covering an area of 26 square kilometers long and up to 10 kilometers wide. Seventy-five percent of the island is covered in pristine tropical forest, making it a habitat for a variety of wildlife species including chimpanzees, other animals include as elephants, hippos, sitatunga antelopes, giraffes, crocodiles, black and white colobus monkeys, bushbucks, and many others. The park is also a birder’s paradise, supporting several species of birds.
Chimpanzees are among the most intelligent, social, and fascinating animals in the world. Known for their complex social hierarchies, sophisticated communication skills and tool-making abilities, chimpanzees are a species that have long captured the interest and curiosity of humans. A chimpanzee safari in Rubondo Island National Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to observe these remarkable creatures up close in their natural environments.
The park is home to a thriving population of chimpanzees, making it one of the best destinations in Tanzania to see these animals in the wild. The park is home to 2 habituated troops of chimpanzees as Bwana and Mazingira group where visitors can trek on Rubondo island, these groups have been habituated to human presence over time, allowing researchers and tourists to observe them closely in their natural habitat.
The bwana group is the largest of the two groups, currently consisting of approximately 40 individuals. This group is led by an alpha male and female, who are responsible for making decisions for the group and maintaining order within the hierarchy. The bwana group is known for its tight-knit social bond and intricate communication patterns.
The Mazingira group, on the other hand, is smaller and consists of around 25 individuals. This group is led by a different alpha male and female, who also play a crucial role in guiding the group and ensuring their survival in the wild. The Mazingira group is known for this playful and curious nature, often engaging in social interactions and grooming each other to strengthen their relationships.
While on a chimpanzee safari in Rubondo Island National Park, you will be led by an experienced guide into the lush Rubondo Island forests to search for these fascinating creatures in their habitat. During your guided chimpanzee trekking in the park, you’ll also have the chance to encounter other creatures such as primates like velvet monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, animals like elephants, otters, bushbucks, mongoose, suni antelopes, crocodiles, warthogs, large spotted genet, bush pig and more. Once these fascinating creatures are allocated, you will have the chance to spot them as they do with their daily activities such as grooming, breastfeeding, and playing. you will also have the chance to learn about their behaviors and conservation from your guide. A group of not more than 8 visitors is allowed to trek the primates per trek. Escorted by experienced ranger guides and trackers. Chimpanzee trekking in Rubondo is available to only visitors of 12 years and above.
Best time to go on chimpanzee safaris in Rubondo Island National Park
The best time to go for chimpanzee safaris in Rubondo Island National Park is during the dry season. It runs from June through to October. The temperatures are more moderate and there is less rainfall, making it easier to navigate the park and spot chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Chimpanzees are highly active during the dry seasons, making it the ideal time to observe their behaviors, interactions, and daily routines. The vegetation is also less dense, providing better visibility and making it easier to spot these elusive creatures.
Other tourist activities in Rubondo Island National Park
Game drives: One of the main highlights of any safari in Rubondo Island National Park is the opportunity to go for a guided game drive. the park is home to one of the most impressive wildlife species such as hippos, otters, bushbucks, mongoose, suni antelopes, crocodiles, warthogs, large spotted genet, bush pigs, hyrax, giraffes, primates such as chimpanzees, velvet monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys as well as colorful bird species such as grey parrots, osprey, cormorant and many more. During your game drive safari, you will have the chance to spot these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat up close.
Guided forest and nature walks: While on guided forest and nature walks one can enjoy viewing mammals like Sitatunga, bushbucks, Suni, Mongoose, bush pigs, genet cats, and primates like Black and white colobus monkey’s vervet monkeys; reptiles such as monitor lizards, snakes, tortoises and pythons. Also, one can see forest bird species, grey parrots and water birds; colorful butterflies, and viewing the lake and its shores.
Fishing: This is the main activity in the park done in specified areas. It is the most exciting recreational activity in which there is a great possibility of getting a big catch to make a wonderful and challenging record of catches among others. This activity is done throughout the year
Boat safaris and canoeing: One can view the spectacular beauty of the Island, beaches, terrestrial bird species, water birds/shore birds such as malachite kingfishers, paradise flycatchers, herons, storks, egrets’ spoonbills, fish eagles, and African Grey Parrots. You can visit the crocodile island, the deepest point in the lake “Irumo”, also while on the boat, you can see hippos, otters, and plant species along the shores as well as enjoy the cool lake breeze.
Bird watching: Rubondo Island National Park is a haven for bird watchers, hosting over 300 species of birds found in the park. while on your bird-watching safari in the park, you will have the chance to spot a variety of colorful birds including, African Palm Swift, Yellowbill, African Emerald Cuckoo, Allen’s Gallinule, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, African Openbill, Marabou, Hamerkop, Black-headed Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Purple Heron, Intermediate Egret, African Spoonbill, Hadada Ibis, African Spoonbill, Long-tailed Cormorant and Great Cormorant among others
