Lake Victoria,Mfangano and Rusinga Islands
Nyanza, located in western Kenya, is the swahili word for Lake. This area got its name from the largest fresh water lake in Africa, Lake Victoria. Fishing is a popular activity around the lake and the two most popular fish caught are tilapia and Nile perch. Nyanza is the home to the Luo tribe, who live along the lake, and the Kisii people, who live in the highlands.
Attractions surrounding Kisumu include Impala Park, a game sanctuary and animal orphanage as well as the home of rare sitatunga antelope. Hippo Point, just south of the town, is prefect for viewing hippos and sunsets on Lake Victoria. Kisumu Bird Sanctuary is an important breeding ground for herons, storks and egrets. April and May are the ideal months to visit the sanctuary.
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria, is the second largest fresh water lake in the world. It is the source of the mighty River Nile and is bordered by three countries, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It is exceeded in size only by Lake Superior in North America, its area being 26,828 square miles (69,484 square km). Many archipelagos are contained within the lake, as are numerous reefs, often just below the surface of the clear waters. Lake Victoria has more than 200 species of fish, of which the Tilapia is the most economically important. The lake’s basin area covers 92,240 square miles (238,900 square km).
At the lake’s northwestern corner are the 62 islands of the Sese archipelago, some of them of striking beauty.
Mfangano & Rusinga Islands
Mfangano & Rusinga Islands are the two interesting places to visit for a real Lake Victoria experience. Here there are no vehicles, and transport is by colorful local canoesand motorized boats. This offers a perfect place to relax and unwind. .The excursions that you will engage in includes: Birdwatching, Fishing for Nile Perch and Tilapia, Cultural Walks, Relaxing, Watersports, Visits to local schools and Villages, there is also an opportunity to visit the caves containing pre-historic rock art, Spa and Trail-walking.
Mfangano Island Camp:
Lapped by the waters of Lake Victoria shaded by giant fig trees, and lost to the world, Mfangano Island Camp is an oasis of tranquility, an ideal retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Your first view is of beautiful tropical gardens set on a secluded bay. Lawns hug the waterline, flowerbeds and rock gardens surround the camp. Enormous boulders sit at the water’s edge, a perch for cormorants or giant monitor lizards to sun themselves. If all you desire is to laze in the sunshine, each room has it’s own private veranda with sun beds. Or there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied. The food’s as fresh as can be, fished from the lake (hopefully by you!) or picked fresh from the island’s vegetable gardens and orchards.
The fishing in Lake Victoria is exciting, and both Nile Perch and Tilapia can be caught. At Mfangano Island Camp we have a number of fishing boats, which have been well equipped for trawling for Nile Perch. The Nile Perch is the king of the lake’s fish. It can grow to 1.8 metres (6 feet) long, and weigh 140 kilograms (300 pounds). Fish of 5 to 15 kilos are regularly caught, and are delicious eating.
The bird life around Lake Victoria and Mfangano Island is spectacular, and over 350 different birds have been identified around Mfangano Island and Lake Victoria. Guests can join our resident ornithologist on bird watching trips both on foot and by boat around the island. It is possible to see the majestic Fish Eagles nesting in the giant fig trees along the lakeshore.
The Luo culture and traditions are very different from those of other parts of Kenya, and staying at Mfangano Island Camp there is the possibility to sample this colourful culture. Villages dot the shores of Lake Victoria, and the main activities are fishing and trading in Nile Perch and Tilapia.
