God has kept this secret sanctuary only for special people.
From the landing to takeoff everything about this unique place is mystic.
Landing on the grass runway with a champagne welcome – classy.
A deep forest
covers most of the park, providing a diversity of wildlife habitats ranging
from savannah, open woodland, swamps to dense forest. These habitats form a
home for various wild creatures such as sitatunga (also endemic to the Gombe
ecosystem), bushbucks, velvet monkeys, genet cats, spotted necked otters,
hippopotamus and crocodiles which share the ecological niches with introduced
species such as chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, black & white colobus
monkeys, suni and African grey parrots. The Island holds a variety of migratory
birds from different parts of the planet. This is the best time to sight them.
It truly is a birder’s paradise!
The chimps are yet
again to be rehabilitated. Between 1966 and 1969, 17 chimpanzees
had been captured in the wild and then spent various amounts of time in
European zoos. Later on they were released in Rubondo. Now there is a healthy
population of chimpanzees (we don’t have the exact numbers), and it is likely
that there now is a second generation of Rubondo-born primates. Asilia, through
many projects are helping out with this enormous task.
The Rubondo Island Lodge (Asilia), is a
place camouflaged perfectly for such a habitat. It has all you possibly need.
From friendly staff to good food, you wont go wrong with this choice. The activities
are plenty to choose from. Sport fishing (catch and release), walking trails
& hikes, guided game drives, boating safaris, canoe safaris, bird-watching,
forest walks, chimps trekking or relaxing by the lake – this beautifully set-up
lodge has everything to offer. Henk & Janine are very experienced and
wonderful company to be with. Henk with his fishing expertise & Janine with
her broad wildlife knowledge will keep you busy throughout. There is so much to
see here. Days will fly by without realizing its time to leave. After wonderful
bird sightings & walks assisted by Habibu, our very knowledgeable guide and
fellow bird-watcher, it wasn’t easy to bid farewell to this small & un-spoilt
paradise.
I will surely be back.
For more info: Contact: www.asiliaafrica.com
Akil Halai – 26.01.14
All photos copyright. All rights
reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment