Rubondo Island National Park

　　Rubondo feels like a waterborne paradise, where barren sand dunes meet pristine forests. A labyrinth formed by tamarind, palm, fig, and wild fig trees is home to swift and silent movements of spotted antelope. The woolly aquatic sitatunga, one of the most elusive antelopes elsewhere, is commonly seen here. Birds abound as well—African pygmy kingfishers shimmer in turquoise, charmingly perched low among reeds, their swallow-like tails visible as they skim the lakeshore. Herons, storks, and the prolific squacco heron breed along the lake edges, while thousands of Eurasian migratory birds flock in during northern winters.

　　Ninety percent of the park consists of moist forest, with the rest ranging from open savannah to papyrus-lined riverbeds. Wild jasmine and 40 species of orchids vie for attention, releasing a heady medley of fragrances that permeate the woods. Resident wildlife includes native hippos, vervet monkeys, civets, and mongooses, along with introduced species such as chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, elephants, and giraffes. Owing to Rubondo’s inaccessibility, all animals live here undisturbed.

　　Rubondo Island National Park Reason to Visit: Tanzania’s most pristine and scenically stunning national park Continent: Africa Country/Region: Tanzania Province/State: Kagera Region