Rubondo Island
National Park (in
Lake
Victoria) lies 300 kilometers on the south west corner of
Mwanza Town near
Biharamulo Game Reserve. The park is one
of the best places for bird watching. It harbors a
variety of rare marine life, and various wildlife species. It
was gazetted as a national park in 1977 after the introduction of several
animal species onto the Island.
Humid forest covers
90% of the park, the rest is coastal grassland and papyrus beds, which
make it rich in variety of plant species including savannah, open
woodland, papyrus swamps, dense forest and the wonderful
red-coral trees. The forest here is evergreen because of the
abundant water supply from the lake. Many tree roots reach the shallow
ground water table. The rock outcrops in the forest increase the
attractiveness of this wild Island. The combination of flowers and red
coral trees adds magnificence to the wilderness of Rubondo.
The forests in
Rubondo is almost undisturbed, enabling it to harbor a variety of
mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. Sitatunga (an amphibious antelope
that likes to hide among the marshes and reeds along the shoreline),
small bands of chimpanzees and black and white Colobus monkeys,
which have been introduced several years ago, occupy the central parts of
the park.
Crocodile and
hippopotamus dominate the water on the boundaries of the park. You
can easily observe hippo at close range during the night.
Elephants, and giraffes can also be seen in this park. Most
frequently seen animals are bushbucks, velvet monkeys, suni antelope,
otters , genet, marsh mongoose, and and rarer species of black and white
Colobus. For other botanical and bird watching attractions.
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Rubondo Island
(Mwanza Safari)
offers many activities of different tastes. Botanists, florist, insect
and bird lovers have the same opportunity to enjoy the island, just
as game viewers. Beautiful flowers such as ground and tree orchids, gloriaosa and fireball lilies can be seen during the short rainy
season of October and December. Owing to diversified vegetations and its
geographical position, Rubondo is a beautiful place for naturalists who like
to watch or collect butterflies.
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Other
Attractions
The varied nature of
its vegetation has enabled Rubondo Island
to attract both water and forest dwelling bird species. The frequently
seen species are fish and martial eagle, goliath heron, sacred ibis,
saddle-billed stork, parrots, kingfishers, cuckoos, bee-eaters, sunbirds,
and other water fowl.
The strategic position
of the park that has been a major influence for migrant birds from Europe
and South America who makes Rubondo its stop over place, during winter
seasons, that makes
Rubondo National Park
an excellent Bird watching place in the lake Victoria.
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When
to go
Dry season,
June -
August for
Wildflowers
and
butterflies
Wet season
November-March.
December-
February
best for
migratory
birds |
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