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Kisumu & Lake Victoria

You might not think so, but you don’t necessarily have to go to the coast for a beach with palm trees. Go off the beaten track and discover the tropical havens of Lake Victoria! With an area of 69,484 km2, Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa. Combine this with a nice small, vibrant African city and experience the exceptional ‘lake culture’.

Charlie's Travels > Kenya > Kisumu & Lake Victoria

Kisumu

A charming, friendly, typical African town on Lake Victoria. Kisumu is the third largest city in Kenya after Nairobi and Mombasa, and the largest in West Kenya. The hotspot on Sundays for the people of Kisumu is Tilapia Beach. Enjoy delicious African dishes with a view over Lake Victoria. Not a fan of fish? No problem, in Kisumu, many members of Kenya’s 44th tribe walk around: Indians! They have introduced the delightful scents, colors, and flavors of Indian cuisine to Kisumu. Some tuktuks have also arrived, making it easy to get around in this city. Visit one of the African markets or have a picnic in the park. Our favorite hangout in Kisumu is Dunga Hill Camp. Located on Lake Victoria, run by a Dutch woman and her Indian friend. The most beautiful sunsets over the lake, cold drinks, and live music in the background.

Lake Victoria

Despite its size, Lake Victoria is surprisingly shallow: only 81 meters at its deepest point. From Mbita, you can take the ferry to Mfangano Island or the tropical Takawiri Island. Mfangano is a beautiful green island with a mountain in the middle, where you can hike to the top in about an hour. If you, as a true Dutch person, want to stay closer to your roots, it’s a unique experience to explore the island by bike.

On the other hand, Takawiri Island has all the ingredients for the recipe of parking your buttocks on the sand and doing nothing all day: a white beach, palm trees, a luxury resort, and an almost uninhabited environment. For camping enthusiasts, there are special spots right next to the lake, so you fall asleep to the sound of the waves.

A scavenger hunt for seven children?

Meet Brian! Our tour guide in Kisumu. Brian was born and raised in the city and shares his love for Kisumu with great passion. “If I can show the travellers of Charlie’s Travels how beautiful the city is, they will share this with the world”. Kisumu is diverse and there is so much to discover. African markets, art school, djembe sessions, treasure hunts, Brian provides a tailor-made experience. The appreciation he gets in return: that’s what he does it for!

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Kayaking in Magadi

Imagine this: four days in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and a brief escape from all the tourists. This is truly off the beaten track! Paddling with a kayak from campsite to campsite, guided by someone who can safely lead the way, and camping amidst wildlife. Sounds good, doesn't it?

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Why travel with Charlie’s Travels?

We are “On the ground” in africa

The team lives and works all over Africa and therefore has a lot of first-hand knowledge and experience.

We develop our own routes

Wherever Charlie and his team travel, they develop new routes and experiences together with local entrepreneurs.

Every trip is co-creation

We tailor each trip based on your wishes and our African knowledge. Everything is possible and nothing is too crazy! Give us a try?

We work in a responsible and sustainable way

Charlie’s Travels works together with local partners and contributes to CO2 projects to offset environmental pollution.