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 a causeway. The local language is Luo, although the ancestors of the current inhabitants were Suba people who came in boats several hundred years ago from Uganda as refugees from a dynastic war. 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.
Most residents of Rusinga make their living from subsistence agriculture (maize and millet), as well as fishing. Constant onshore winds cool the lakeward side of the island and provide clean beaches with ideal swimming and boating conditions, but poor roads between Rusinga and the nearest town, Homa Bay, inhibit trade and tourism. The brightly glittering black sands of the beaches are made of crystals of melanite garnet, larvikite hornblende, and magnetite eroded from the Uncompahgre lava fragments in the agglomerates that overlie the fossil beds.
This is the best place to wind up your rigorous safari, experiencing the other side of Kenya that is less talked about or advertised. The Island can be accessed through the Mbita causeway ferry that takes about 45 minutes. To get to Mbita from Nairobi, you can travel to Kisumu through road (8 hours drive) or take a 45 minutes flight from Nairobi.
Rusinga Island Lodge, Kenya is one of the best places to stay if you want to enjoy this quite Island to the maximum. Though there are other budget-friendly places in Mbita on the shores of Lake Victoria, it is all worth saving for this particular lodge. The lodge located in this remote Island has very green manicured lawns with exotic trees providing a haven for many bird species. Located at the shores of Lake Victoria, it offers great views at its terrace where one can spend most of the time just gazing and inhaling all the beauty.
Rusinga Island Lodge
Accommodation is provided in thatched hut cottages overlooking the lake. They are furnished with locally available materials, well air-conditioned with an en suite bathroom. Each cottage has a sitting area, dining and a terrace/veranda for greatIsland. The lodge also has a Spa offering massage treatment for guests on request. It is also children-friendly with a swimming pool and large lawns where the children can play while searching for small animals like squirrels and mongooses found in the Island.
Some of the Activities while at the Island include:
Bird Watching
The Island and its environment have over 350 local and migratory bird species not found in other parts of Kenya. Right from the terrace of your room, you get to observe different birds singing away.The bird island, accessible through a short boat ride from Rusinga is a breeding site for most of the water birds on the Lake. Some of the magnificent birds include Fish Eagles, Kingfishers, double-toothed barbets, sunbirds, cormorants etc. The fish eagle can be seen soaring overhead and swooping low on the Lake while trying to catch fish and offers great photography moments.
Fishing
Lake Victoria’s main activity is fishing and there is a large volume of Nile Perch and tilapia that are found here. Hence, fish is the main food consumed by communities around the Lake.
The lodge has fishing boats and offers a chance for their guest to go catch their own food. The adventure of it is trying to catch a Nile Perch for dinner which grows to the large size of put to 300lbs. Such an adventure, catching your own dinner or lunch.
Hiking and Bike Riding and boat riding
Mountain bikes are available for adventure lovers to take a stroll in the small Island and interact with the local community. Learn more about the tribe that inhabits this Island, their history and everyday life.
The nearby Mfangano Island is home to ancient rock art that remains untouched for many years. This is a great place for any hiker to explore the caves and ancient curved art with the help of an experienced guide.
Excursion at the Paleontology Site
Rusinga is widely known for its extraordinarily rich and important fossil beds of extinct Miocene mammals, dated to 18 million years. The island had been only cursorily explored until the Leakey expedition of 1947-1948 began systematic searches and excavations, which have continued sporadically since then. Primate fossils were discovered by two Palaeontologists Louis and Mark Leakey in 1948. This led to the recent reopening of the fossil sites by The American Museum of Natural History who visit the site every year and continue to work on discovering more fossils.
An excursion with a well knowledgeable guide will give you a brief history of the paleontologist’s work and their findings so far. When the American team is on the ground, they are more than willing to answer all the questions one may have. Rusinga Island is a small rural Island at the shores of Lake Victoria and offers great relaxation and tranquillity away from the busy life on the mainland of Kenya. With great views of the Lake, you cannot miss an incredible sunset or sunrise as you listen to the birds sing out their melody. A good vacation destination for a honeymoon, friends/family getaways.
Visit our website for more information and booking. You can reach us through our social media platforms.https://www.alkhaleejtours.com
Post a Comment