Top Destinations: Rusinga Island
A place of infinite beauty to calm down and rejuvenate the body, Rusinga Island offers an exuding atmosphere of serene tranquillity and manicured lawns that stretch to Lake Victoria’s edge. So if you’re looking for a peaceful and quiet place of adventure that is out of town and out the norm? Then Rusinga Island should be top of your list.
On this week’s Top Destinations we shall be looking at the little known Rusinga Island.
Location
With an elongated shape approximately 10 miles (16 km) from end to end and 3 miles (5 km) at its widest point, Rusinga Island lies in the eastern part of Lake Victoria at the mouth of the Winam Gulf. Part of Kenya, it is linked to Mbita Point on the mainland by.
The local language is Luo who is River Lake Nilotes.
Rusinga Island is believed to be an unexplored tourist destination. It offers cool breeze with an elegant view of the Lake Victoria which is the world’s second largest freshwater lake by surface area after Lake Superior in North America.
The Island is also notable as the family home and burial site of Tom Mboya, who before his assassination in 1969 was widely pegged as Jomo Kenyatta’s successor as President of the new nation of Kenya.
Part of Rusinga Island
Accessibility
There are two main ways of accessing Rusinga Island. i.e by road and by boat
It is about an 8 hours’ drive from Nairobi, approximately 450Km, via the Kisumu to Homa Bay route. There is an alternative route, where you drive from Kisumu to Luanda Kotieno, then take a 45 minutes ferry ride across the Winam Gulf to Mbita.
Rusinga Island is connected to Mbita, via a Causeway that takes about 30 to 45 minutes to the island.
You can also take a 45minutes flight from Nairobi to Kisumu, then proceed to Rusinga by road.
Ferry Connecting Mbita and Rusinga Island
Accommodation
The Island boasts of affordable lodges that are ideal for honeymooners, holiday destination or just a weekend Getaway.
Some of the hotels in and around Rusinga Island include:
Rusinga Blue Ridge Resort, Rusinga Island Lodge, Wayando Beach Eco Lodge, Lake Victoria Safari Village, Mfangano Island Camp and Bimoss Hotel.
On average it would cost about KES 5,000 per night per person.
Rusinga Island Lodge
Things to do in Rusinga Island
Rusinga Island, like Mbita town, is primarily a rural area. This is the kind of place you want to visit when you want to get away from the city life, and simply unwind.
- CONNECT WITH NATURE
Rusinga is an excellent option when you are looking to unplug from the world and connect with nature. If you want your kids to put aside their phones and Ipads, for some quality time, then definitely head out here.
- BOAT RIDES AND FISHING
Some of the hotels/lodges organize boat rides and fishing on request. You can either carry the fishing gear i.e hooks, lines, lures e.t.c or you can get from some of the hotels……….. It certainly is a fun activity to engage in?
Guest will have the chance to see and interact with the local fishermen along with the shoes in their colourful canoes. The guests also get to visit the fishing villages where the night’s catch is set out to dry in the sun while larger fish are smoked.
- VISIT RUMA NATIONAL PARK
Ruma national park lies close to the shore of Lake Victoria, it is one of the less well-known parks in Kenya. It is a mosaic of landscapes ranging from riverine woodland and rolling savannah to magnificent escarpments and towering cliffs. Runa National Park promises undiscovered wildlife treasures and undisturbed peace.
- Bird Watching and Games
Birdlife around Rusinga is spectacular, encouraging even the most reluctant birder. We have a record of over 300 species in and around Rusinga including several which occur only in western Kenya. A guided nature walk around the Rusinga Island Hotels and Lodges is a remarkable array of birdlife. There is also a chance to get very close to quirky hammerkops around the swimming pool and who have made Rusinga Lodge their permanent home.
People having fun at Rusinga Island
A place of infinite beauty to calm down and rejuvenate the body, Rusinga Island offers an exuding atmosphere of serene tranquillity and manicured lawns stretch to Lake Victoria’s edge.
Rusinga Island should definitely be in your bucket list of destinations to visit this year.
If you would like to visit Rusinga Island or/and any of the surrounding areas feel free to talk to us for bookings, questions or clarifications.
