5 Reasons Why Explore Lake Victoria – The big question here; is a boat cruise on Lake Victoria worth the money and my time? Yes Lake Victoria is an ideal destination not only for your business travels for equally for your leisure requirements.

Lake Victoria is the second biggest lake in Kenya after Lake Turkana.  The lake is shared by shared by Tanzania and Uganda while at the same time it is the largest fresh water in Africa and chief reservoir of the world’s longest river, the Nile.

With an are covering 69,484 square km, the lake has an irregular quadrilateral shape. Its waters fill a shallow depression in the center of the great plateau that stretches between the Western and Eastern Rift Valleys in the Kavirondo valley.

Lake Victoria has more than 200 species of fish, of which the Tilapia is the most economically important; there are birds, mammals, reptiles and other diverse wildlife.

Geologically, the lakeshore is highly indented, and there are many islands in the lake, some of which, especially the Sesse Group of islands that are known for their beautiful landscape health resorts and sightseeing places.

Abundant prehistoric remains found around the lake indicate the early development of agriculture. There are a number of coastal towns such as Kisumu (Kenya), Entebbe (Uganda), Bukoba, Mwanza and Musoma (Tanzania), connected with each other by ship routes and also to the cities of the Indian Ocean coast by railways. The dam constructed in 1954 at Owen Falls on the Victoria Nile supplies electricity and water for various uses in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya.

Surprisingly, Lake Victoria is not only the largest lake in Africa, but also the second-largest freshwater body in the world.

Socially and economically, the lake supports several million people, including the Luo of Kenya, many of whom are still anglers. In Kenya, Dunga village is one of many places on the lake where you can see the fleets of traditional fishing dhows, whose white lateen sails, set against a deep blue background, appear to be out of the romantic myths of the Sinbad coast. In addition, there is a connection to the coast, dating back to the time when the Arab slavers were marauding around Lake Victoria. They built boats for the lake in the same style as their dhows on the Indian Ocean.

Another good place to watch the fishing dhows in action is the small town of Kendu Bay, about an hour’s drive south of Kisumu. We always try to be at the out-of-town jetty at noon, when dozens of dhows land there, complete with the day’s catch.

Kendu Bay boasts two other diverting attractions. The first is a handsome and surprisingly large Tawakal Mosque, set along the road between the town center and the jetty. The other, about 2 km south of town, is Simbi Nyaima, a green crater lake whose shallows occasionally support large numbers of flamingo. Simbi Nyaima means “Village That Sank”, an allusion to the Luo legend that the lake was created when a fearful storm engulfed what was formerly a village, to punish its inhabitants for refusing to help an old woman who had arrived there looking for food and shelter.

If our time permits a challenge of tackling one of Lake Victoria’s giant Nile perches, the place to stay is Rusinga Island, where there is a comfortable lodge for anglers in idyllic surroundings, or Mfangano Island, where there is an alternative beach lodge.

The introduction of these huge fish into the lake in the 1950s has been controversial. In the 1980s, there was an explosion in their numbers and, as a result, many indigenous species of fish have since disappeared, particularly the small cichlids: Nile perch now account for about 80 percent of the fish in the lake. In commercial terms, this has been a great success, generating a multi-million dollar processing and export industry. However, scientists maintain that it has had a disastrous impact on the lake’s ecosystem having contributed to the extinction of many native fish species.

Lake Victoria Sunrise and Sunset Boat Cruise

Lake Victoria sunrise cruise is necessary do while on your holiday around Lake Victoria. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on the Lake on your holiday in Kenya. With Lake Victoria as one of the largest lakes in the world and beautiful to relax on. There are daytime cruises by boat to explore the numerous islands with their colorful fishing villages. Have some rare encounters with anglers as they cast their nets and enjoy the snacks and drinks provided on board.

Other things to do on Lake Victoria in Kisumu and beyond

While on your holiday in Kenya around Lake Victoria, Dunga, and Kusa Swamps all situated along the Winam Gulf are one of the best bird watching spots in Kisumu. The swamps can be accessed from Kisumu by a canoe or speedboat, and it gives you great views of Kisumu city and the surroundings.

Beaches on Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is surrounded by amazing beaches and beach hotels that best suit your holiday in Kenya, other beaches are found on Islands like the Rusinga, Takawiri and Mfangano. Takawiri beaches with white sand is the most stunning one.

Visiting the Impala Park

This  jewel of the city spans about 38 hectares. It was created to provide a home for threatened Impalas within Kisumu city and its environs. The sanctuary is one of Kenya’s smallest wildlife preserves that apart from allowing guests to stroll leisurely on foot while at the same time it provides a safe grazing area for hippos from the lake.

Though not located far away from the city, it lies close enough to Hippo Point, Dunga Beaches, and its main attraction, Lake Victoria. The sanctuary has crisscrossing nature trails that span over 3 kilometers and a selection of bush picnic sites.

This sanctuary is a holding area for animals, which require special protection in this densely populated area. The Sanctuary’s focus is herds of impalas and zebras, which roam freely on the plains, or the shoreline of the lake. Following its slogan: A Lakeshore Walk with Impala, it’s obvious not to miss seeing these elegant-looking antelopes.

Explore Ndere Island National Park

Serenade in Lake Victoria’s tranquility on Ndere Island. Leaving Kisumu city behind, we will drive through the Luo countryside to the shore of Lake Victoria at Kaloka beach. From here, we will connect your boat for a ride to Ndere Island National Park.

Ndere Island is only 4.2sq km just off the northern shores of Lake Victoria. The park is known for its awesome vistas where on a clear day it’s possible to see Kampala, Uganda.

Ndere means ‘Meeting Place’ in the dialect of the local Luo tribe. In connection to Kit Mikayi Rock, according to Luo folklore, Mikayi – the mother of the tribe, rested up near Ndere after her long journey south down the Nile Valley. She found the lush shoreline so pleasing that she and her people stayed to date.

This tranquil island is home to a variety of birds including Fish Eagles and a dense population of other birds. Hippos, Monitor Lizards, and Crocodiles, including the lesser-known Spotted Crocodiles, are a familiar sight.