Lake Victoria

The largest body of fresh water in Africa, the headwaters of the River Nile. Regarded as one of Africa's finest fishing lakes it is ideal for exploration by boat and is a paradise for birdwatchers.

• Size & Location: 68 000km² bordering on Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda
• When to visit the park: June - September (dry season), December - March (hottest season)
• Climate: High daytime and moderate night-time temperatures with annual highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C.
• Rainfall: 1 150mm per annum.
• Altitude: 1133m above sea level

Area Information:

Lying within an elevated plateau of the Great Rift Valley and widely accepted to be the main source of the Nile, Lake Victoria receives more water as rainfall than all its combined tributaries provide. The largest of all African Lakes, it is also the second widest freshwater body in the world. Its extensive surface belongs to the three countries: the northern half to Uganda, the southern half to Tanzania, and part of the north-eastern sector to Kenya.

The lake occupies a wide depression near the equator, between the East and West Great Rift Valleys, but its drainage basin is relatively small, being slightly less than three times the lake's surface in area. This mighty body of water is rich in fish life, with shimmering shoals of colourful cichlids and large Nile Perch. Fishing brings many visitors to this lake, mainly in search of the Nile Perch, considered a world class game fish.

Wildlife includes Roan Antelope, Oribi, giraffe, hartebeest, impala, hippos, Vervet monkeys, monitor lizards and more. Bird species found around Lake Victoria include the Blue-breasted Bee-easter, Blue Swallow, Swamp Flycatcher, Greater Swamp-warbler, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Carruthers' Cisticola, Papyrus Gonolek, Red-chested Sunbird, Red-headed Quelea, Slender-billed Weaver, Yellow-backed Weaver, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Black-throated Seedeater and the Papyrus Canary.

Main Attractions:

• A paradise for birdwatchers and photographers alike
• Fishing on the lake and excellent game viewing
• Visits to Kisumu and Luo, the quiet fishing port towns on the shores of the great lake