(The green pearl in blue waters).

It is an important breeding ground for both migratory bird and fish species especially Tilapia and Nile perch as for a long time it stood to be the only area in the waters of Lake Victoria which was well protected and preserved. About 80% of the park is covered by a dense forest thus providing a variety of habitats for indigenous wildlife such as Sitatunga, hippos, bush bucks, velvet monkeys, genet cats, crocodiles, bush pigs etc sharing the ecological niches with the introduced species such as chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, black and white colubous monkeys, suni and African grey parrots.

Attractions

The park is bestowed with magnificent attractions that tourist can enjoy these include diversity of wild life including elephants, giraffes, bushbucks, hippos, yellow-spotted otters, crocodiles, chimpanzee, sitatunga and offers best fish breeding sites. other attractions are birds diversity with more than 400 species of nesting birds resides the park. The grey parrot, introduced in 2000 when 34 birds were rescued from illegal trade, is a spectacular newcomer. Another noisy specimen is the African fish eagle.

Chimpanzees - currently being habituated - few Chimps are now used for tourism Habituation Experience (CHEX). One can travel by car to Chimps’ areas and joining chimps’ habituation crew and be a part of habituators.
Other mammals: Other mammals that are frequently seen are Giraffes, Hippopotamus, Sported necked Otter, Bushbucks and Velvet Monkeys. Colobous monkeys, Genet Cats, Marsh Mongoose, Suni and Elephants. Elephant also available at Rubondo.

Magnificent view of evergreen dense primary lowland Congolese forest-More than 80% of Rubondo Island National Park is covered by an intense primary lowland Congolese forest. Thus providing a variety of wildlife habitats sharing the similar ecological niches such as elephants, giraffes, chimpanzees, black & white colobous monkeys, Suni, African grey parrots etc.

Variety of water birds at Birds’ Island: RINP is one of the sites with highest density and concentration of Birds in Tanzania. Also RINP provides best habitat for birds migrating between southern and northern hemispheres.

Reptiles

Variety of Reptiles: Reptiles such as snakes (pythons), monitor lizards and crocodiles: These are reptiles that found in the park but some are rarely seen. Most reptiles maintain their body temperature by absorbing heat from their surrounding and have bodies that change accordingly to local atmosphere that means they cannot control their own body temperature.

Cultural sites

There are three main cultural sites Maji matakatifu, Ntungamirwe, and Alutare. Maji matakatifu

The famous Maji Matakatifu was historically used as ritual areas by Native Zinza who lived in Rubondo before the area was upgraded as a National Park. One example of rituals was to make women and men who did not have children to have children.

Sacred Site Ntungamirwe. Near Kageye area, just beneath Pongo Viewpoint along the tourist trail, there is still visible and intact a sacrificial site, one of the most popular sacred site use by Native Zinza tribe for traditional and spiritual beliefs. The rock can be delineated from the surrounding rocks due to its white coloration.
Alutare. This is an important historical site, used during wars with enemies of the Banyarubondo. Enemies included Baganda people from Uganda, who attacked them especially after the harvest season to steal cereals. The natives hid in karobhela caves at Alutare during the wars. The natives like to compare this entrance with an entrance into a cathedral. This is why the whole area was named “Alutare”, which means “altar”.

Forest and Beaches.Magnificent view of evergreen dense primary lowland Congolese forest-More than 80% of Rubondo Island National Park is covered by an intense primary lowland Congolese forest. Thus providing a variety of wildlife habitats sharing the similar ecological niches such as elephants, giraffes, chimpanzees, black & white colobous monkeys, Suni, African grey parrots etc.
Thick Tropical forest

Beautiful beaches such as Michungwani and Michikoko:The Island has every type of imaginable beaches; white sand, gravel and stones and shorelines popular for visitors watching wildlife and enjoying the Lake breeze. Also beaches are frequently visited and inhabited by wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles and elephants, white necked Otters etc.
Michungwani beach

Rocky beach on the eastern side of the island.
Irumo view

Other attractions includes a variety of colorful frogs and insects such as dragonfly and dung beetles.
Scenery

Rubondo island, is a place you can relax in two minutes. This is due to its natural beauty and calmness. Is a place you can enjoy colorful sunrise and sunset while listening to bird songs.