Mfangano Island Camp, Kenya
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Wrapped by the waters of Lake Victoria, shaded by giant fig trees and lost to
the world, Mfangano Island Camp is an oasis of tranquillity, an ideal retreat
from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
The island has just one road and no other hotels to disturb the
peace. All the buildings are in the local Luo tribal style, walls of
smoothed mud and clay, roves of thatch and banana leaf - cool and airy.
The dining room and lounge are fanned by breezes from the lake.
There are just six rooms. Each is set close to the water's edge, decorated
with local handicrafts.
Bathrooms with modern fittings are finished in local stone. At night the
sound of waves will lull you to sleep.
If all you desire is to laze in the sunshine, each room has its own private
veranda with sunbeds. Or there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied.
The food’s as fresh as can be, fished from the lake (hopefully by you!) or
picked fresh from the island’s vegetable gardens and orchards.
Activities
A tug on the line, the whine of the reel as the giant Nile perch you've
hooked dives to the lake bottom, the fight is on. Whether you're a keen
fisherman or just fancy a go, catching a perch is something you won't forget.
But there’s much more to Lake Victoria. The birds and wildlife are
fascinating. The people here are among the friendliest you'll meet anywhere. The
sparkling waters are perfect for a refreshing dip.
Mfangano Island Camp is an ideal base for many activities. Our fleet of
fibreglass speedboats is staffed by local boatmen. If you fancy a whole day on
the water, we'll pack a picnic and a cooler full of cold drinks.
Bird Life
The cry of the fish eagle is a sound you'll hear often. These majestic
birds are the most spectacular of the lake’s many species. If you're lucky,
you'll see one swoop to pluck a live fish from the waters. Our specialist
ornithologist can help you discover colonies of diving cormorants colourful
kingfishers and pelicans.
To catch a King
The Nile perch is the king of the lake’s fish. It can grow to 1.8
metres (6 feet) long, weigh 140 kilograms (300 pounds) and makes for delicious
eating. In the shallows swim tilapia. We provide all the specialist fishing
tackle you need.
Island of Mystery
For the adventurous, there are enchanting villages to visit. And if you
feel like exploring, the island has an ancient history with prehistoric rock art
hidden in caves high in the interior. Or we'll take you round to Rainmaker’s
island, fabled locally as a site where magicians practice their art.
Practicalities
- All activities are included in the room rate.
- We provide all fishing equipment, just bring a hat and sunscreen.
- Fishing is for all standards, newcomers and non- fishermen are as
welcome as experts.
- Binoculars are recommended for bird watching.
- Good walking shoes are necessary to explore the island.
Location / Getting There
The only way to reach Mfangano Island is by light aircraft, an
adventure in itself. You land on a dusty airstrip, then it’s a short ride by
speedboat to the camp.
Your first view is of beautiful gardens set on a secluded bay. Lawns hug the
waterline, flowerbeds and rock gardens surround the camp. Enormous boulders sit
at the water’s edge, a perch for cormorants or giant monitor lizards to sun
themselves.
Price: $1925 USD per week.
Size: 89 Acres
Location: Lake Victoria, 40 min. flight from the Masai Mara Game
Reserve, Kenya
