Ndere Island National park Kenya – Kenya beach holidays and wildlife safaris
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 game, Ndere Island National Park is unique on 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 with 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 southwest and many surrounding areas that will leave you thrilled.
All you need to know about Ndere island national park.
“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 the glimpses of Kampala in Uganda beyond the south west horizon. The lake shore 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 great adventure safaris for arrangements to get to the island.
Birds of Ndere island national park.
Over 100 different species of birds can be seen here including African fish eagles, black headed gonoleks and grey headed kingfishers.
Wildlife of Ndere 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.
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 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, sun glasses, sun screen 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.
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.
Best time to visit Ndere national park.
The national park is accessible all year around 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.