10 Days

Rubondo Island National Park • Zanzibar | Wildlife, Chimpanzees & Beach

10 Days Rubondo Island National Park & Zanzibar – Luxury Flying Safari

Escape into the heart of Tanzania on an exceptional 10-day luxury flying safari combining the untouched wilderness of Rubondo Island National Park with the idyllic beaches of Zanzibar. Discover a remarkable island ecosystem through game drives, chimpanzee tracking, forest exploration, and Lake Victoria boat safaris, encountering diverse wildlife in a peaceful, remote setting. Then, fly to Zanzibar for five nights of refined beachfront relaxation, creating the perfect balance of wildlife adventure, tropical luxury, and authentic African experiences.

Experience Rubondo Island wildlife, chimpanzee tracking, Lake Victoria adventures, and a luxurious Zanzibar beach holiday in one unforgettable Tanzania escape.

Duration

10 Days

Starting Price

On Request

Country

Tanzania

Destination

Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Victoria and Zanzibar

Trip Highlights

Explore remote Rubondo Island National Park with exceptional wildlife and pristine wilderness experiences.
Track chimpanzees through lush forests and discover their fascinating natural island habitat.
Cruise Lake Victoria on a scenic boat safari adventure.
Discover elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffalo, and rare sitatunga.
Relax at The Palms Zanzibar, surrounded by tropical beauty.
Experience pristine beaches, optional water activities, and unforgettable island relaxation.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Mwanza – Transfer & Boat to Rubondo Island

Mwanza – Transfer & Boat to Rubondo Island

Your adventure begins with a scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, located on the shores of Lake Victoria in northern Tanzania.

Upon arrival at Mwanza Airport, you will be met by your representative for a warm meet-and-greet before beginning the journey towards Kasenda Port.

From the port, board a boat for the scenic journey across Lake Victoria towards Rubondo Island National Park.

The boat journey provides a wonderful introduction to the destination, with expansive views across Africa’s largest lake and the forested island appearing on the horizon.

Upon arrival on Rubondo Island, continue to Rubondo Island Camp, your home for the safari portion of the itinerary.

Check in and enjoy a relaxed afternoon after your journey. Take time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings, the natural beauty of the island and the spectacular lakeside environment.

Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Overnight: Rubondo Island Camp
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Activities: Flight, meet and greet, road transfer, boat transfer and relaxation

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Rubondo Island National Park

Game Drive in Rubondo Island National Park

Wake early and enjoy breakfast before setting out on a full-day game drive through Rubondo Island National Park.

Rubondo offers a distinctive safari environment where forest, woodland, grassland and lakeshore habitats come together.

Explore the island with your experienced safari guide, looking for wildlife including elephant, giraffe, hippo, sitatunga, buffalo, bushbuck and other species that inhabit the island.

Rubondo is particularly interesting because of its forested environment and relatively secluded location. Wildlife viewing can feel very intimate, with far fewer visitors than the more famous safari parks of northern Tanzania.

Enjoy a picnic lunch during the day’s exploration before continuing your game drive.

As afternoon approaches, return towards camp, enjoying the changing light over the island.

Dinner and overnight at Rubondo Island Camp.

Overnight: Rubondo Island Camp
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Activities: Full-day game drive

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Rubondo

Chimpanzee Tracking in Rubondo

Today is dedicated to one of Rubondo’s most fascinating experiences: chimpanzee tracking.

After breakfast, meet your specialist guide and trackers before heading into the forest in search of Rubondo’s chimpanzees.

The island’s chimpanzee population is part of an important conservation programme, and tracking them through their natural forest environment provides an exceptional opportunity to learn about these intelligent primates.

Your trackers will look for signs of recent chimpanzee activity, including vocalisations, nests, feeding remains and footprints.

Once chimpanzees are located, you may have the opportunity to observe their natural behaviour from a respectful distance. Sightings are never guaranteed because they are wild animals moving freely through the forest.

The forest itself is an important part of the experience, with opportunities to encounter monkeys, colourful birds, butterflies and other forest species.

Return to camp after the tracking experience for lunch and time to relax.

Enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Rubondo during your final evening on the island.

Overnight: Rubondo Island Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities: Chimpanzee tracking and forest exploration

Day 4: Morning Boat Safari on Lake Victoria – Afternoon Relaxation

Lake Victoria – Afternoon Relaxation

After breakfast, head out for a morning boat safari on Lake Victoria.

Cruising along the waters surrounding Rubondo provides a completely different perspective of the park. The forested shoreline, secluded bays and open waters create a spectacular setting for photography and wildlife observation.

Depending on the route and conditions, the boat excursion may provide opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds, while the shoreline can reveal wildlife coming down to the water.

Your guide will also introduce you to the unique ecology of Rubondo Island and Lake Victoria.

Return to the camp around midday for lunch.

The afternoon is reserved for relaxation. Enjoy the tranquil lakeside setting, unwind at camp or simply take in the surrounding wilderness.

Enjoy your final dinner on Rubondo Island.

Overnight: Rubondo Island Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities: Morning boat safari and afternoon relaxation

Day 5: Rubondo – Mwanza – Flight to Zanzibar via Dar es Salaam

Mwanza – Flight to Zanzibar via Dar es Salaam

Enjoy breakfast at the camp before beginning your journey back to the mainland.

Transfer by boat from Rubondo Island to Kasenda Port, followed by the road transfer to Mwanza Airport.

Board your scheduled flight from Mwanza to Zanzibar via Dar es Salaam, subject to the available flight schedule.

Upon arrival in Zanzibar, you will be met by your representative and transferred to Bwejuu, on the island’s beautiful southeast coast.

Check in at The Palms Zanzibar, an exclusive boutique resort set along a beautiful stretch of white-sand beach.

Spend the remainder of the day relaxing after your journey, perhaps enjoying the beach, swimming pool or tropical surroundings.

Dinner and overnight at The Palms Zanzibar.

Overnight: The Palms Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Activities: Boat transfer, road transfer, flight and beach relaxation

Day 6: Zanzibar – Relaxation & Optional Activities

Relaxation & Optional Activities

Wake up to the sound of the Indian Ocean and enjoy breakfast at The Palms Zanzibar.

Today is dedicated to relaxation and leisure.

Spend the day enjoying the resort’s beautiful tropical setting, relax by the pool or on the beach, or take part in one of the optional activities available at the resort.

Optional experiences may include:

Snorkelling
Diving
Sailing or dhow excursions
Fishing
Spa treatments
Village and cultural experiences
Spice tours
Stone Town excursions

Return to the resort for dinner and another peaceful evening beside the Indian Ocean.

Overnight: The Palms Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Activities: Relaxation or optional activities

Day 7: Zanzibar – Beach Leisure

Zanzibar – Beach Leisure

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before another day at your own pace.

Relax on the beach, swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean or enjoy the facilities at The Palms.

For guests seeking adventure, additional activities can be arranged locally.

A private dhow cruise is an excellent option for experiencing Zanzibar’s coastline, while snorkelling and diving provide opportunities to explore the island’s rich marine environment.

Enjoy another beautiful sunset before dinner.

Overnight: The Palms Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Activities: Relaxation or optional activities

Day 8: Zanzibar – Leisure Day

Zanzibar – Leisure Day

Enjoy another full day in paradise.

After breakfast, choose between complete relaxation or an optional excursion.

Guests interested in Zanzibar’s history can explore Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while those looking for a more active experience can enjoy water sports, diving or snorkelling.

Alternatively, simply spend the day on the beach with a good book and enjoy the tranquillity of The Palms.

Dinner and overnight at the resort.

Overnight: The Palms Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Activities: Relaxation or optional activities

Day 9: Zanzibar – Final Full Day at The Palms

Zanzibar – Final Full Day at The Palms

Enjoy your final full day in Zanzibar at leisure.

Take advantage of the resort’s facilities and enjoy the tropical surroundings.

You may choose to arrange a final excursion or simply relax on the beach and enjoy the Indian Ocean.

This is an ideal opportunity to slow down after the adventure and wildlife experiences of Rubondo.

Enjoy your final dinner at The Palms Zanzibar.

Overnight: The Palms Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Activities: Relaxation or optional activities

Day 10: Zanzibar – Departure

Zanzibar – Departure

Enjoy your final breakfast at The Palms Zanzibar.

Depending on your international or onward flight schedule, check out and transfer by private vehicle to Zanzibar International Airport.

Your 10-day Rubondo Island and Zanzibar luxury safari and beach holiday comes to an end at the airport.

Meals: Breakfast
Activities: Breakfast and airport transfer

Rubondo Island Safari

Include & Exclude

Scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza
Meet-and-greet service at Mwanza Airport
Road transfer between Mwanza and Kasenda Port
Return boat transfers between Kasenda Port and Rubondo Island
4 nights at Rubondo Island Camp
Full board during the Rubondo safari
Breakfast, lunch and dinner as specified
Professional safari guide
Full-day game drive
Chimpanzee-tracking experience
Morning boat safari on Lake Victoria
Rubondo Island National Park entry and conservation fees
Transfers for scheduled safari activities
Drinking water during safari activities

International flights
Tanzania visa fees
Travel and medical insurance
Personal expenses
Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks unless specifically included by the lodge
Laundry and personal services
Tips and gratuities for guides, rangers, lodge staff and boat crew
Accommodation before the safari

Zanzibar

Include & Exclude

Flight from Mwanza to Zanzibar via Dar es Salaam, subject to scheduled routing
Meet-and-greet service on arrival in Zanzibar
Private transfer from Zanzibar Airport to Bwejuu
5 nights at The Palms Zanzibar
Breakfast and dinner
Use of resort facilities
Return airport transfer on Day 10

International flights
Tanzania visa fees
Travel and medical insurance
Personal expenses
Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks unless specifically included by the lodge
Laundry and personal services
Tips and gratuities for guides, rangers, lodge staff and boat crew
Accommodation before the safari

Luxury Lodge Options

Rubondo Island Camp is the ideal base for exploring the remote wilderness of Rubondo Island National Park. Set within the natural environment of the island, the camp provides an intimate safari experience surrounded by forest and the waters of Lake Victoria. The camp’s location allows guests to enjoy a variety of activities, including game drives, chimpanzee tracking, forest walks and boat excursions. Its remote setting makes it particularly appealing to travellers looking for an authentic and less-visited side of Tanzania.

Best for: Chimpanzee tracking, remote wilderness, nature, boat safaris and adventurous travellers.

The Palms Zanzibar

The Palms Zanzibar is an exclusive boutique luxury resort located on the southeast coast of Zanzibar near Bwejuu. The resort offers an intimate and romantic atmosphere, with beautifully designed villas, tropical gardens and access to a stunning stretch of white-sand beach.

Its small scale and personalised service make it particularly suitable for couples and honeymooners looking for privacy and relaxation after a safari. Guests can enjoy the resort’s beach and pool or arrange a variety of optional experiences, including water sports, diving, snorkelling, cultural excursions and spa treatments.

Best for: Honeymoons, romantic escapes, luxury beach holidays, privacy and post-safari relaxation.

Why Choose Rubondo Island & Zanzibar?

This itinerary combines two completely different sides of Tanzania.

Rubondo Island offers a rare opportunity to explore an isolated national park where chimpanzee tracking, game viewing and boat safaris take place in a peaceful island environment. It is an excellent choice for travellers who want something beyond the traditional safari circuit.

Zanzibar then provides the perfect contrast: white-sand beaches, warm Indian Ocean waters, tropical gardens and luxurious accommodation.

Together, the destinations create an ideal wildlife-and-beach combination, particularly for honeymooners, couples, families and travellers seeking an exclusive itinerary away from the busier safari routes.

Ideal For

Luxury travellers
Honeymooners and couples
Wildlife and primate enthusiasts
Nature lovers
Adventure travellers
Travellers seeking an off-the-beaten-path safari
Guests wanting to combine safari with a luxury Zanzibar beach holiday

For a seamless luxury experience, this itinerary can also be extended with additional nights in Zanzibar or combined with mainland safari destinations such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro or Nyerere National Park.

10 Days Rubondo Island National Park & Zanzibar – Luxury Flying Safari

Mid Range

Luxury

Top Luxury

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