“Island of Serenity and Beauty” Located on Lake Victoria this island is a haven for birds. Covered mostly in grassland, Ndere Island provides beautiful scenic views of the Homa hills to the south, Mageta Island to the east, and glimpses of Kampala in Uganda beyond the southwest horizon. The lakeshore supports a wide variety of animals including hippos, monitor lizards, Nile crocodiles, several fish species, snakes, baboons, impalas, the rare Sitatunga antelopes, water bucks, zebras, and warthogs.

The park is an island on Africa’s largest inland lake; the stunning Lake Victoria. It is accessible by boat from the shores of the Lake please contact Wilderness Explorers Africa for arrangements to get to the island.

Ndere Island National Park is one of Kenya’s smallest protected areas that reward visitors with authentic African experiences that come once in a lifetime. The park features a number of wildlife, reptiles, birds as well as distinct kinds of vegetation that are all worth exploring while you are on safari in Kenya.

While other protected areas boast of the big five games, Ndere Island National Park is unique in its own way. This magnificent national park is incredibly an island of serenity and beauty for many reasons. The 4.2 square kilometers protected area lies on Lake Victoria and it offers visitors that amazing freshness that truly gets them out of the usual environment right from its stunning grass, butterflies, flowers, and above all, this park features as bird watchers paradise. Besides, this magical conservation area also comes with breath-taking scenic views of the Homa hills to the south, Mageta Island to the East as well as Kampala in the southwest, and many surrounding areas that will leave you thrilled.

Over 100 different species of birds can be seen here including African fish eagles, black-headed Gonolek, and grey-headed kingfishers.

The major attractions of the park include fish eagles, hippos, impalas, and butterflies. You will also spot aardvark as well as monitor lizards.

The park is also home to different reptiles such as Nile crocodiles, snakes such as puff adder and python. Occasionally you will hear the chattering of troops of monkeys and baboons.

Size of Ndere island national park

Ndere Island is a small island (4.2 km2) in Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria in Kenya, some 50 km from Kisumu.

Location of Ndere national park

Located on Lake Victoria, this island is a haven for birds. Covered mostly in grassland, Ndere Island provides beautiful scenic views of the Homa hills to the south, Mageta Island to the east, and glimpses of Kampala in Uganda beyond the southwest horizon.

How to get to Ndere Island national park

Ndere Island National Park is 432 kilometers off Nairobi city and it can be accessed both by road and air. By road, visitors on Kenya safari can set off through the Kisumu-Bondo route where you will branch off to your left after Holo market or left at Kombewa shopping center to the park headquarters straddled between Bao and Asat beach. Ndere Island National Park headquarters is 12 kilometers’ drive on tarmac road. Alternatively, intending travelers on safari in Kenya can also take a boat from Kisumu and it takes visitors approximately 45 minutes for speed boats direct from Kisumu city to Ndere Island National Park. In case you opt to use a boat ride through Kisumu, you are advised to come along with an umbrella, sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat and make sure that the boat that you intend to use is fully equipped with safety jackets.

By air

 You can fly to Kisumu Airport about 60 kilometers away from Ndere Island Park headquarters.

Things to do in Ndere island national park

The major attractions of the park include fish eagles, hippos, impalas, and butterflies. You will also spot aardvark as well as monitor lizards.

The park is also home to different reptiles such as Nile crocodiles, snakes such as puff adder and python. Occasionally you will hear the chattering of troops of monkeys and baboons.

You are also guaranteed of catching the rare sight of the threatened aquatic Sitatunga antelope, Zebras, warthogs, and waterbucks in the park’s swamps.

When to visit Ndere national park

The national park is accessible all year round except the lake can be rough during the transfer and during rainy seasons of March-May and September- November it may rain in the mornings and late afternoons.

Where to stay in Ndere national park

There are limited accommodation facilities within Ndere National Park however, there are camping options for you to stay spend a night over while on safari in Kenya. The park features 2 (two) Kenya Wildlife Service campsites especially the Boa campsite. The notable lodges that can easily be accessed from the park include Kisumu Resort, Hexagon Mbili Farm Lodge, Kisindi Lodge, Kisumu City Central Resort, Parkview Safari Hotel, apartments, Lakewood Hotel Dunga Hotel, Spa Homa Bay Lodge, Kisian Self Catering, Rock Resort Hotel, Sunset Hotel, Kiboko Bay Resort, Dunga Resort and many more.