Location
Rusinga Island Lodge is approximately a 6 hour drive from Nairobi followed by boat ride to lodge. Or a 20 minute flight from Kisumu; a 35 minute flight from the Masai Mara and a 1 ½ hour flight from Nairobi. All flights are by private charter aircraft.
Highlights
- Having a candlelight meal on the jetty under the stars
- Unwinding with a spa treatment and massage
- Trying new exciting watersports activities with the family like tubing
Facilities
- Spa
- Swimming pool
- Gift shop
- Dining area
Food
Everything possible is home grown and no artificial fertilisers or chemicals are used. The fruit and vegetables are harvested each day. The Rusinga team takes great pride in the food served and all breads, pastries and cakes are homemade. The speciality is fish dishes as both tilapia and Nile perch are plentiful and make delicious eating in many different ways - whole grilled over coals, smoked or Zanzibar-style with coconut, lime and coriander, to name a few favourites. Breakfast and lunch are usually served under sweeping fig trees in the garden whilst dinners are taken either in the mess area, by the floodlit pool or on the jetty.
Activities
Boat trips, cultural visit, excursions to Ruma National Park, exploring the islands archaeological sites, bird watching, fishing on Lake Victoria, water-skiing, mono-skiing, knee-boarding, tubing; mountain biking, massage and spa treatments.
Meal Basis
All inclusive accommodation including selected activities.
Child Policy
Children are welcome.
What to bring
Sun protection (hats, suncream, glasses), ankle-length walking boots for hikes, light windproof jacket, swimwear, binoculars, cameras and film. The atmosphere is informal and relaxed and traditional sarongs are often worn in the evenings.
Climate
At 3,718 feet above sea level Rusinga has a temperate climate making all its activities both pleasurable and viable year round During the months of April and May the long rains – usually falling during the night – may prohibit some activities. The days are generally sunny and hot and the evenings clear and warm. In the afternoon an on shore breeze stirs up, making it very pleasant and carries on into the evening.
Accommodation
Rusinga Island Lodge offers 6 individual cottages and 1 family cottage comprising a twin room and double room with interconnecting door. Each cottage is en suite and has its own verandah overlooking the lake. Bedrooms are either twin (with 2 queen size beds) or double (with 1 king size bed). Bathroooms are spacious with double sink and 'soup plate' showers. Electricity is provided by both generator and inverter power offering an electrical supply 24-hours a day.
Boat Trips – to Bird Islands where thousands of water birds roost
Giant monitor lizards and spotted-necked otters are often seen on the rocks around the island. Magnificent fish eagles soar overhead and swoop down low giving excellent photographic opportunities. The friendly Luo community fish along the shores in their colourful canoes and sailing dhows. Rusinga’s guests are welcome to visit their villages where the night’s catch is set out to dry in the sun and larger fish are smoked.
Ruma National Park – one of Kenya’s most unusual and beautiful national parks
The last surviving group of roan antelope in Kenya can be seen here - a large antelope with magnificent black and white facial markings and swept-back horns. Other special animals include the Jackson’s hartebeest and Rothchild’s giraffe, oribi, Bohor reedbuck and topi. Leopard may also be sighted. Due to the remoteness of the park, it is unlikely that guests at Rusinga will see another visitor. Guests visiting Ruma enjoy a bush breakfast in the park.
Exploring Archaeological Sites
A short walk behind the lodge brings you to the site where Mary Leakey found Proconsul Heseloni in 1948 - the last common ancestor of the great apes and man. This caused a sensation at the time and made worldwide headlines. Fossil remains dating back 18 million years can be seen scattered about on the surface.
Bird Watching
Bird life is incredible and over 100 species including several that only occur in Western Kenya can be seen here. Many birds including fish eagles and the colourful double toothed barbet nest in the grounds.
Fishing
Trawl for enormous Nile perch (the lodge record is 203lbs!) along the shores or cast for tilapia in the evenings. Both fish make delicious eating and the kitchen is happy to cook your catch for you.
Sports
Equipment is available for all age groups for water-skiing, mono-skiing, kneeboarding, tubing & mountain biking. There are many walks available around the island or, for the more adventurous, take a short boat ride to Mfangano Island and then hike uphill to explore ancient rock art.
Spa
Rusinga’s Spa offers a range of treatments including a variety of massages and indulgent Spa manicure & pedicure.