A Quick Guide to Rusinga Island (With Travel Tips)

 

Hi there my dear readers! 😀 And hello February! As we welcome this Month of Love, let us close out the Rusinga series with a Quick Travel Guide to this incredibly beautiful destination of Rusinga Island.

 

I put this guide together in response to some of your reader comments/questions to our last two posts… so keep them coming my friends! 😀 I will also throw in a few Tips and Travel hacks that I picked up during our visit!

Hopefully, you will find this guide helpful, as you plan your visit to this scenic island!

 

How To Get To Rusinga Island

Rusinga Island lies to the East of Lake Victoria, in Homa Bay County, with the most stunning views of the lake.

 

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.

I have always found that there’s a sort of ‘romantic’ feel to journeying at night, into the unknown… You doze off to the bumps and sounds of the bus, and wake up in a new place, ready for you to explore…

 

Our experience on the bus itself, though, was far from romantic…. We took a Transline bus, that happens to be the only bus that goes all the way to Mbita, as other companies stop at Homa Bay… (read monopoly)

Before the start of our trip, a fight ensued between some of the passengers for ‘no good reason’… We sat there, shrinking in our seats, hoping it would all blow over, and luckily it did… after the culprit was thrown out… On our return trip, we encountered a less-than-cordial bus attendant, who was literally man-handling passengers… 🙁 the drama!  😀

Hopefully, with the tips below, you will have a better experience… 😀

Travel Tips:

• Consider hiring a car if you are traveling from Nairobi, for a much more pleasant experience.
• The road from Mbita to Rusinga is quite rough, so ensure that your vehicle can hold up well
• If you are traveling by bus, opt for a night trip. The day-bus makes numerous stops, meaning you encounter crazy delays on the road
• The buses in Mbita, fill up pretty quickly. Make sure you book your return trip way in advance
• Be sure to stock up on snacks for the day trip, as they make one short stop in Narok only
• Ensure you get some cash in advance or have money on MPESA as most of the hotels and lodges are found on the outskirts.

Where to Stay

The best part about traveling to this part of the country is its proximity to Lake Victoria… You will have a better time if you choose a hotel or lodge that is conveniently located along the shores of Lake Victoria.

 

If you are looking for a luxurious beach getaway on the island, I would recommend a stay at Rusinga Island Lodge. You can read about our experience at Rusinga Island Lodge HERE.

 

There are more options of places to stay in Mbita, although they may not necessarily be along the Lake Victoria beaches.

If you are working with a modest budget, Lake Victoria Safari Village is a good option in Mbita. It marries a scenic Lake access, with a budget-friendly getaway, in Mbita.

You can read about our experience HERE.

 

You may also opt to visit Mfangano Island Camp, on Mfangano Island. It is accessible via a ferry from Mbita, twice a day at 10:30 and 17:00.

Tips

• Choose a place that is close to Lake Victoria where you will be able to enjoy panoramic views of the lake and sunsets. Such places also have cooler temperatures.
• Find out in advance whether they have working Air Conditioning systems in all the rooms, as the temperatures in Rusinga are quite high.
• Always find out whether the waters are safe to swim. You may encounter Hippos in the Lake, and it’s better to be safe.
• When going on any excursions, request the hotel to pack a snack for you as you may not find alternative places to eat.

 

Things To Do In Rusinga

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. 😉 😀

 

Time is well spent watching birds or riding bicycles through the rough terrain.

You may also opt to go on a day visit to Ruma National Park, a 40 minutes’ drive from Mbita.

Boat Rides and Fishing

Some of the hotels/lodges organize boat rides and fishing on request. We witnessed some fishermen on canoes, going about their business on the lake… It certainly sounds interesting enough to try, don’t you agree? 😀

 

 

Get a Taste of Local Delicacies

You have not truly been to the lakeside unless you have had a taste of their finger-licking treats… Most of the meals consist of freshly caught Tilapia or Nile Perch. It’s simply delectable!

 

Rusinga Island Festival

To truly experience the culture of Rusinga, you may want to attend their cultural festival. It is held annually on the last Thursday and Friday, before Christmas, on the island. It’s aimed at preserving and celebrating their culture through Art, Music, Sports, and their Local Cuisine.

 

Chasing Sunsets

The sunsets in Rusinga are simply ethereal…  Take time to enjoy the sunsets and captivating lake views. There is an unquestionably relaxed feeling to ending the day with such a delicate sunset… 🙂

 

Travel Tips

• Drive down to Rusinga, as this will allow you to be mobile and have a better time exploring the area
• Find out what activities the hotels offer, in advance, and whether they are included in the prices. You should be able to negotiate a good package
• The main mode of transport in the area is motorbikes. Find out whether your hotel can organize pick-ups and drop-offs at subsidized rates
• Carry anti-malaria medication
• It is exceptionally hot in these parts-carry sunscreen, sun glasses and sunhats… unless of course you want a sun-tan. 🙂
• Carry a pair of good walking shoes for the excursions

 

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Thank you my friends, for reading this Travel Guide to Rusinga Island! I hope you enjoyed it, and found it useful. 🙂 Have you been to Rusinga Island? What tips and fun things would you add to the list?

P.S. I value your feedback let me know what kinds of details you would like to read about in future posts! 🙂

P.S.s.  Look out for our Valentines’ Dates Ideas>> Coming Soon 😉 😀

 

<Much Love.~ Stay Inspired.>

 

 

Photography By:

Wanjiku Thuo

&

Marion Mithamo