Rubondo Island - patiently awaiting your attention

Some places don’t shout for your attention — they wait. Rubondo Island in Tanzania, is one of those places. So says Tehsin Takim, director of Takim Holidays & Safaris.

Floating quietly on the vast waters of Lake Victoria, this remote island feels less like a destination and more like a secret — shared only with those willing to listen. Accessible by small aircraft from the Serengeti or by private charter, Rubondo doesn’t promise grand arrivals. What it offers is stillness. Space. A return to something we’ve almost forgotten — quiet wonder.

The arrival - a gentle beginning

As our small aircraft skimmed the treetops and landed on the island’s airstrip, the first thing I noticed was the absence of noise.

No crowds. No rush. Just a small group of smiling faces waiting beneath the trees — welcoming us not as tourists, but as guests.

The lodge here is simple, intentional, and quietly luxurious — Asilia’s Rubondo Island Camp blends into its surroundings as if it’s always belonged. And in many ways, it has.

The first evening : water and light

Later that day, we set out on a boat safari — gliding across the calm waters of Lake Victoria as the sun began its slow descent. Giant Crocodiles basked along the shores, hippos emerged like ancient guardians of the lake, and birds moved gracefully across the sky.

In as much as the scene was dramatic, it was deeply peaceful. The kind of peace that stays with you long after the sun has set.

Day 2 : In the company of chimps

Rubondo is one of the rare places in Africa where you can trek for chimpanzees — not in a sanctuary or zoo — but here, in their home, on their terms.

We crossed the lake by boat and stepped into a world ruled by forest sounds and filtered sunlight. The trek is no gentle stroll — this is raw, untamed wilderness. The path isn’t marked — roots twist underfoot, the earth shifts from dry to swampy, the forest holds its breath.

And then — there they were. Chimps — curious, playful, watchful.

We kept our distance, followed the guide’s quiet instructions, and for a brief time — became part of their world. It was humbling. This is not wildlife on display. This is wildlife reminding you that you are a guest.

Later : a landscape of rarity

That afternoon, a game drive revealed Rubondo’s quieter treasures — the elusive sitatunga antelope moving through the wetlands, elephants grazing beneath fig trees, giraffes pausing to watch us pass.

As the sun fell once more, we found ourselves at a sundowner spot overlooking the lake — the sky shifting through every possible shade of gold and orange. It felt like the island was exhaling — and so were we.

Day 3 : lessons from the lake

On our final morning, we ventured out to fish for Nile perch — the lake smooth and glassy in the early light. But nature is rarely predictable. Within moments, clouds gathered, winds rose, and the water turned wild beneath our small boat.

It was a reminder I welcomed — nature here is not curated for comfort. It is real, powerful, untamed. And yet, even as the storm passed, the lake stilled once more — as if nothing had happened. Rubondo Island and Lake Victoria seemed to be ever-changing, yet always teaching.

For the traveller who seeks stillness

Rubondo Island is not for everyone. It is not for those chasing checklists or longing for crowds. But for the traveller who has seen Africa’s great spectacles — the migration, the big cats, the busy parks — this island offers something else.

A return to stillness.

A rare invitation to listen rather than look.

A space where the wild is both outside and within.

If that speaks to you — let us help you find your way here

For more information on Robundo Island or Tanzania in general, please contact Takims - one of Tanzania & Zanzibar's premier DMCs via info@takimsholidays.com