Rubondo Island Camp

Hidden on the forested shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania, Rubondo Island Camp offers one of Africa’s most unusual safari experiences – a retreat where rainforest meets freshwater. The boutique camp is the only property within Rubondo Island National Park, giving you exclusive access to an untouched ecosystem, alive with mystery. This is where elephants wander beneath strangler figs, Colobus monkeys leap through the canopy and the calls of African grey parrots echo across the water.

Set out on guided game drives through the island’s open southern plains and forest clearings, where sitatunga, bushbuck and forest elephant move quietly through the undergrowth. Walk beneath towering trees in search of the island’s resident chimpanzees or take to the water for a boating safari along Lake Victoria’s shoreline, where hippos and crocodiles share the shallows. Keen anglers can enjoy catch-and-release fishing for Nile perch, while birdwatchers will be captivated by over 300 recorded species. As the day fades, return for a sundowner on the beach, followed by lantern-lit dining under a sky full of stars.

The camp blends into its surroundings, with its cottages tucked beneath the trees, each with a view of the lake. One of the cottages is a roomy family unit where families with children five years old and older are accommodated. Built from local materials, the interiors feel both earthy and elegant, with en-suite bathrooms, hot showers and private verandas that are perfect for enjoying sunrise coffee or sunset reflections. Between activities, relax by the pool or sink into a hammock as the lake breeze moves through the forest.