Lake Victoria
At Kenya’s Western frontier lies the great expanse of Lake Victoria. The lake is at an altitude of 1135 meters above sea level, has a mean depth of 40 meters with a maximum depth of 80 meters, and a shoreline 3450 km. long. Lake Victoria is fringed by an extensive wetland ecosystem. Wetland macrophytes, Papyrus, Phragmites, Typha, Vossia and many other species are present.
The Nile flows northwards, carrying the waters of Nyanza to Egypt and beyond into the Mediterranean.
Fishing brings many visitors to this lake, mainly in search of the Nile Perch, considered a world class game fish. There are three separate fishing lodges on islands within Victoria.
This area is home to Ruma National Park, a small but attractive park with many unique species. The best way to appreciate the beauty of this region is on the lake itself. The sun shines brightly, and gentle breezes rise from the water. In trees along the shore, Fish Eagles call to each other with long haunting cries. Sunsets turn the water to gold, as the local fisherman in their canoes pull in their nets and slowly turn for home
Getting to Lake Victoria
There is an airport in Kisumu with scheduled flights. Main road access to Lake Victoria is via Kisumu, directly from Nairobi by bus/matatu or private transport. Kisumu is also accessible by rail from Nairobi. Charters can also use the airport. Nearby Malaba is the main border crossing with Uganda. A traditional way of accessing the border is by a cycle taxi called the Boda Boda.
Getting Around lake Victoria
Main road access to Lake Victoria is via Kisumu, directly from Nairobi by bus/matatu or private transport. You can take rail from Nairobi to Kisumu. Charters can also use the airport for traveling to Kisumu. Nearby Malaba is the main border crossing with Uganda. A traditional way of accessing the border is by a cycle taxi called the Boda Boda (Border-Border). From Kisumu there is some road access to the Lake south to Homa Bay.
Related Travel Information
Victoria
Having the dubious honour of being the smallest capital city in the world, Victoria can also be considered one of the quaintest and most charming, easily explored on foot. The best place to soak up the friendly atmosphere is at the busy daily market (closed on Sundays), where local crafts are on sale along with fish, fruit and vegetables. A hint of French and British colonial days still remains, reflected in buildings like the courthouse and main post office. Among the colourful houses there is also a cathedral and a clock tower built as a copy of the one housing
Lake Tana
Discover the mystery of the Blue Nile
Majestic and mysterious Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile which floats from there to the Soudan. Just 30 kilometers outside of Bahir Dar are the famous Bleu Nile Falls. On the islands in the lake are 15th century Monasteries. One of them can only be visited by men. The mural paintings in their churches represents beautifull pieces of religious art. The moncks show you their treasures and religious manuscripts, written in Geez on goat and horse skin. Transport is done on small wooden rafts but tourist can make a
Lake Kariba
Lake Kariba is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world —180 miles (290 km) long and up to 20 miles (32 km) wide (see "Lake Kariba" in the Zimbabwe chapter for full details). The Zimbabwe (southern) side of the lake is currently more developed than the Zambia (northern) side of the lake. Canoe safaris are offered downstream of Kariba Dam through the Kariba Gorge.
Lake Ngami
Lake Ngami is a relic of the superlake that once covered much of northern Botswana. South of the Okavango Delta, the lake is now completely dry - except when fed by water from the flooded delta. When David Livingstone first saw this lake in 1849, however, he described it as more than 100 mi/160 km long. When wet, the Ngami is filled by an incredible number of water birds, including flamingos, eagles, storks and pelicans - it is one of the best bird-watching spots in the world. Before making the trip, be sure the lake has water; otherwise, there's
Lake Bogoria
At the beginning of Kenya's great Northern Wilderness lies Lake Bogoria.
The lake is the heart of an arid landscape, in the shadow of the dramatic walls of the Siracho Range. The soda waters of the lake attract massive flocks of Flamingo, and the lake is often carpeted with pink.
The 32 sq km lake is still volcanically active, and the Western shore is lined with spouting geysers, spurting steam and bubbling geothermal pools. Fresh water springs at the lake edge attract an abundance of birds and wildlife.
There are many Fish Eagles, which often prey on the local flamingos.
The shores
