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Best islands to Visit in Kenya
Islands are the ideal vacation spot for couples looking to create lifelong memories together or for anyone looking to have fun away from their regular routine. Beautiful islands in Kenya provide a distinctive safari experience.
Kenya is ranked as one of the most visited countries in Africa, thanks to her numerous tourist attractions. Her magnificent islands rank among the top safari attractions for visitors. Islands are the ideal vacation spot for couples looking to create lifelong memories together or for anyone looking to have fun away from their regular routine. Beautiful islands in Kenya provide a distinctive safari experience. Anyone will be in awe of the beauty and uniqueness of the majority of these islands’ landscapes. Here are the top islands in Kenya, along with information about where they are, how diverse their cultures are, and what you can do there. Kenya is a stunning country in East Africa and is known for being the origin of the safari, but it also has a number of idyllic islands. While the majority of Kenya’s islands are dispersed along the country’s long Indian Ocean coastline, several are located in its inland lakes.
1. Mombasa Island
The renowned Mombasa Island was discovered by Omani traders in the 16th century and ruled by a number of dynasties. Mombasa is a showcase and fascinating fusion for Portuguese, British, and Arab cultures. The Nyali Bridge, which connects Mombasa Island to the mainland, is a well-known crossing. The South Coast and the mainland are connected by the Likoni ferry. It is a port that supplies the rest of East Africa as well as Kenya’s coastal communities.
You can have a lot of good recollections from your trip to the island. This is a result of the island’s numerous scenic areas and historical attractions. The spectacular site Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located on the island, the largest port in East Africa. That one you shouldn’t miss on your Kenya safari. . The atmosphere is established by Mombasa’s network of souks, lanes, and cobblestone walkways as well as the far-off sight of traditional dhows out on the water.
Note that Mombasa Island should not been mistaken with the Mbasa Islands, which are well-known tourist safari sites and are home to over 100 different kinds of birds.
2. Chale Island
In Kwale County, Chale Island is situated at the far end of Msambweni Bay. Chale is renowned for its sacred sites, or frightened Kaya. It is the perfect safari place to spend your land vacation because of its position in the South East of Kenya. Chale offers beautiful scenery and a fascinating history. Its carefree way of life will be hard to resist. Its chilly weather is ideal for the holiday safaris.
The Sands at Chale Island, a resort designed to blend in with the island’s natural surroundings, located on the northern portion of Chale Island, just a short distance from the mainland. In contrast, the southern portion of the island is covered in native woodland and is a Mijikenda kaya, or ancient village site. One of Kenya’s sunniest islands, Chale, lies only four degrees south of the equator.
3. Takawiri Island.
Kenya’s west coast is a home to Takawiri Island, which has a diverse natural environment and a vibrant culture safari. It offers guests a variety of safari activities that make it a prime travel location in Kenya. Takawiri is one of the numerous beautifully decorated islands in Lake Victoria. Given its position, getting there by air is simple. Kisumu, a port city, is within a short distance from Moi International Airport. You can therefore fly directly to Kisumu and then take a taxi to the island even if you are in Nairobi or Mombasa. Fast and easy to understand.
Takawiri, an island in Lake Victoria, is one of Western Kenya’s best-kept secrets. The island provides guided day tours, swimming, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, and sport fishing along with tall palms and white, sandy beaches. At the small yet lovely Takawiri Island Resort, the island offers both camping and cottages to various tourists who come on a safari in Kenya.
Manda Island
If you want to disappear but remain in Kenya, Manda Island is a great place to go. This is a wonderful location to sit outside and take in the serene lake waters and the tranquil surroundings of the area. The towering Mt. Kwitutu and the numerous lizards that call Manda Island home make it well worth a day or two. It is among the nicest islands in Kenya in a number of respects. Manda, which sits on the lake’s south shore, is a great safari destination for vacations and honeymoons.
You can fly or take a ferry to get to this island off the coast of Kenya. The biggest swell of any Kenyan beach is believed to be picked up by Manda Island, a surfer’s dream. Despite this, Manda gives access to a beautiful coral reef and invites surfers of all skill levels. The ruins of the ports of Takwa and Manda town from the ninth century are also accessible to tourists on this Kenyan island on a safari. The former was designated as a Kenyan National Monument in 1982.
Mfangano Island
If you want to find peace and quiet away from the bustle and noise of the city, this is the island for you. Mfangano Island is home to impressive Mt. Kwebo, fascinating rock carvings, and monitor lizards. It provides a magnificent view of Lake Victoria, especially for those who want to enjoy lakefront life. You can get around easily and quickly because to its well-connected road network. The friendliness of the locals makes it even more enjoyable to visit on a safari.
Local fisherman and their families live on this tiny island near the eastern shore of Lake Victoria. The island, which is accessible by boat or small plane, provides a few safari activities like lounging on the sand beaches, wading in Lake Victoria’s chilly waters, or taking in prehistoric rock art. The geometric paintings on the rock in Mwanga cave and at Kwintone, a forest outpost that can be reached after a 45-minute journey, were created by Twa hunter-gatherers some 4,000 years ago.
Funzi Island
On the South Coast of Mombasa County is Funzi Island. It is renowned for its beautiful eco-spaces, including wetlands and native mangrove forests, as well as its beaches. It is an island that provides a habitat for a number of turtle species, including the loggerhead, leatherback, green, and olive turtles. For cultural safaris, people should go to the gardens close by and the Ramisi River. The yearly migration of humpback whales takes place between June and December.
In Kenya’s Kwale County, a collection of islands covered in mangroves and famed for its pristine sandy beaches and sea turtle nesting grounds includes Funzi. Accommodations are makuti-roofed bungalows along the beach, and popular visitor activities include crocodile safaris on the neighboring Ramisi River, cultural tours of the neighborhood fishing town, and just lazing on the beach and indulging in feasts of delectable fresh seafood. The Funzi Turtle Club, a neighborhood organization, works to spread knowledge about nesting turtles and strategies to protect their habitat.
Ndere Island
Ndere Island, which is situated in the serene Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, is the ideal safari place to spend a holiday. Anyone who wants to take in the splendor of Western Kenya can find a wide variety of geographic and cultural experiences there. It provides guests with a wide variety of tourist safari attractions that work well together to create the ideal setting for a vacation.
Ndere is the Luo tribe’s dialect for “Meeting Place.” Luo mythology claims that after an arduous trek over the Nile Valley, their forefathers stopped for a rest near Ndere because they were so enamoured with the island. The rich bird population of Ndere, which is located along the Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, includes Fish Eagles and Swifts. Ndere, which is devoid of human habitation, is home to impala, hippos, and the unusual spotted crocodile. Led nature hikes along the shore are the major safari activity on the island for tourists.
Crescent Island
Crescent Island appears to be a green crescent moon with pristine water surrounding it from above. It is a peninsula that was created in the 1980s as additional land became accessible due to a major decrease in Lake Naivasha’s water level. From here, you can travel to Crescent Island Game Park by boat from the east or by car through a swampy road from the west.
Crescent Island in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley seems to be a green crescent moon surrounded by water from above. The island, was formed by Lake Naivasha’s water levels dropped substantially. Visitors may see an abundance of birds along its coasts, including pelicans, cormorants, and fish eagles. In addition, there are terrestrial species that can be seen more frequently on a safari in Kenya, including wildebeest, waterbuck, zebra, and gazelle.
Migingo Island
One of the most contentious islands in the nation is this one. Migingo Island is one of the best travel locations, despite the controversy that surrounds it. The islands’ tranquil setting attracts thousands of tourists each year. Don’t forget to enjoy the fantastic boat excursions and other entertainment options the island has to offer.
Because it is so little, this lakeside island in Lake Victoria does not show up on most maps. Additionally, Kenya and Uganda are fighting over its territorial ownership, with both claiming it as their own. Due to the abundance of the popular Nile perch, which is essential to the livelihood of many East African anglers, in the waters around the island, the little island is heavily populated by fishermen and their families from both countries.
Migingo experiences very little tourism, with the exception of the sporadic arrival of residents from Kenya on flimsy fishing boats.
Crescent Island
Crescent Island appears to be a green crescent moon with pristine water surrounding it from above. It is a peninsula that was created in the 1980s as additional land became accessible due to a major decrease in Lake Naivasha’s water level. From here, you can travel to Crescent Island Game Park by boat from the east or by car through a swampy road from the west.
Crescent Island in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley seems to be a green crescent moon surrounded by water from above. The island, was formed by Lake Naivasha’s water levels dropped substantially. Visitors may see an abundance of birds along its coasts, including pelicans, cormorants, and fish eagles. In addition, there are terrestrial species that can be seen more frequently on a safari in Kenya, including wildebeest, waterbuck, zebra, and gazelle.
Lamu Island
Lamu Island is renowned for its rich history, various cultures, and stunning architecture. Before Portuguese, Turkish, and Omani traders began exploring the island in the 13th century, only the Swahili had made it their home. Lamu developed a distinct culture when the traders left, and it still does today. You will be astonished by this island to the core. The carefree way of life, immaculate white sand beaches, local food, and opulent dhow sailing are a wonderful diversion from the stresses of everyday life. Moving around on donkeys and dhows is possible in Lamu thanks to its lovely, winding roads. When travelling to adjacent archaeological sites like Pate, Manda, Siyu, and Kiwayu, you can stop off at the small village and take in the breathtaking scenery.
On these islands, you can take advantage of the historic sites and opulent resorts. Lamu has changed throughout the years from being a colonial-era defence point for the Omani Arabs to an interesting locale for entertaining safari activities that one should not miss on a Kenya safari. With its expansive white Shela Beach, distinctive Lamu Museum, and a number of historical archaeological sites and old ruins, this tranquil island is one of the most well-known in Kenya. Visitors to Lamu Island have a variety of safari activities to choose from while there, including yoga retreats, world-class dining, dhow boat rides, and relaxing on the pristine beach while taking in the varied blend of Swahili, Omani, Portuguese, and Turkish cultures
Wasini Island
You wish to laze around all day on the beautiful sand beaches of the tiny island of Wasini, which is located south of Mombasa. The island, which is just around three miles long, offers some of the best snorkeling in the Indian Ocean shoreline, Zanzibar’s confusing labyrinth of alleyways, and Lamu’s serene atmosphere. The island is a favorite stop for people who like to travel off the main road because it is covered in mango trees and home to local fishermen.
Rusinga Island
Rusinga Island, which is ten miles long and located at the mouth of the Winam Gulf in the eastern portion of Lake Victoria, is perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing thanks to its glistening black sand beaches and calm offshore winds. The rustic Rusinga Island Lodge, from where guests may take birding excursions and guided tours to the ongoing archaeological dig on the island, is the area’s most well-liked lodge option. The famous primate fossils discovered on Rusinga by Louis and Mary Leakey in 1948 prompted the reopening of the archaeological sites by paleontologists from The American Museum of Natural History, who still go there today.
