The pristine Rubondo Island is 75 percent forest, which guests can explore on drives and walks while learning about the animals and plants of this extraordinary protected ecosystem. Wake up to the serene lake views from your beachfront cottage before exploring the island by vehicle, on foot, or in a boat from the lake's waters.

Head out to explore the forest on foot. At the same time, the morning air is still fantastic. Please take it to the water before the wind picks up, enjoy a morning game drive, or bask in a leisurely morning with fresh coffee on your veranda and a full breakfast while overlooking the lake. If you’ve been on a morning outing, you’ll be back at camp in time to relax and freshen up before sitting down to enjoy lunch. Alternatively, you can devote the day to tracking chimpanzees in the dense forest. The afternoon is time to take a siesta, read a book, or cool off in the pool. After you’ve rested and refueled with afternoon tea and freshly baked cakes, head out on a guided forest walk or a sundowner boat cruise. Round off a special day with drinks around the campfire on the beach and dinner under the stars.

Head out in an open vehicle to explore the forests, hilltops, and open southern plains of Rubondo Island, led by an expert Asilia guide. Alternatively, set out on foot to explore the depths of the forest and learn about the more miniature ecosystems often overlooked from the height of a vehicle.

Explore Lake Victoria and the shores of Rubondo on a boat trip. Watch for hippos, elephants, crocodiles, otters, and monitor lizards. The waters around Rubondo are full of tilapia and huge Nile perch, one of the most sought-after freshwater fish. Take a boat excursion or cast a line from shore to catch and release them. December to March is the best time for birding when the migrants stop on Rubondo from Europe. At the season's peak, there are more than 300 bird species. While birding can be enjoyed on the land, boat trips also offer optimum viewing of what can usually only be heard within the dense forest.

Have a once-in-a-lifetime experience helping habituate the island’s chimpanzee population. As you walk through the forest tracking their progress with a knowledgeable guide, you’ll likely hear them calling to each other, and they’ll listen to you. The more they grow accustomed to the presence of humans, the easier it will be for researchers to spend time studying them.

Read more about this unique experience here.

Our homemade food includes bread, cakes, biscuits, and sorbets. Breakfast is served on the deck overlooking the lake. Lunch is a light buffet (if you’re a keen cook, join our chef for a class that doubles as lunch prep). Sip sundowners around the campfire on the beach, after which we’ll serve a communal dinner under the stars.