I’d always wanted to visit Rusinga Island for a very long time mainly because of the Suba people and for the Rusinga Cultural Festival. The other reason was to find other fun things to do in the vicinity and places to stay.

When I finally got the time I did not waste a moment, I knew I wanted to stay at Rusinga Island lodge,visit Mfangano Island because of the Late Tom Mboya,check out Takawiri Island, eat fresh nile perch, enjoy breathtaking sunset and just live my best life.

What I did not know and had left out, was a a trip to a fishing village. I did not even know about fishing villages. I always knew fishermen left their houses for fishing.

Apparently, Most islands on lake Victoria are breeding grounds for fish and because the isalnds are far off from the main land, fishermen move from island to island and season after season to fish. The fishing community is mostly made up of men and women who leave their wives and husbands to fish for a season then return home home after making money.

However,some of the fish mongers end up marrying each other while at it.

Organized Excursion by Rusinga Island Lodge

During my visit, I stayed at Rusinga Island Lodge; a luxurious, lake front private lodge in one of the Islands of Lake Victoria called Rusinga. I wrote more about the lodge here.

[bctt tweet=”Rusinga Island Lodge is a luxurious, lake front private lodge in one of the Islands of Lake Victoria called Rusinga.” username=”@bonitaonsafari”]

On the second day of my stay, the Lodge organized a day’s excursion to a neighboring fishing village called Litare.

By 9:00 am in the morning, the speed boats that we were to use to go to Litare which is located some thirty or so minutes from the lodge,were already on location. Traditional boats can also be used to get to the village but for that superstar feel, the speedboats are the best. They also navigate better when the tides are high.

Heading to the fishing village.

For a moment I thought I was shooting a scene in those hollywood movies. Turquiose waters, speed boats, a squad, then probably looking for those proxy villages were all the unsuspected stuff happens.

Approaching the fishing village.

As you approach the village, you will spot many fishing boats docked during the day because the fishermen mostly fish at night.

[bctt tweet=”As you approach the village, you will spot many fishing boats docked during the day because most fishermen mostly fish at night.” username=”@bonitaonsafari”]

Women going about their chores during the day.

Little egrets can also be seen in their numbers neatly perched on the boats. Our guide was quick to point out that they were the laziest birds on the island all they do is to patiently wait to eat the tiny fish brought in by the fishermen.

‘Lazy’ egrets..waiting for food.

During the day, it is difficult to see the men of the village. We were told that they only get to catch their sleep at this time of the day, after a long night out in the cold fishing.

The women dry the fish in the sun as a method of preservation before vendors and buyers come for them after a day or two.

Women drying fish.

There are three types of fish caught by the fishermen. Nile perch, Dagaa(Omena) and Fulu (Similar to Dagaa but bigger in size)

.[bctt tweet=”There are three types of fish caught by the fishermen. Nile perch, Dagaa(Omena) and Fulu (Similar to Dagaa but bigger in size). ” username=”@bonitaonsafari”]

Dagaa(Omena ) to tiny one vs Fulu, the larger one.

Fishing is the main economic activity in this village.There are so many fishing villages in Homabay County alone.

The fishing boats used by the fishermen are made from Mahogany and Mvuli hardwoods. The wood is imported from Uganda. The approximate cost of wood for one fishing boat is approximately Ksh.30,000(USD 300).

[bctt tweet=”The fishing boats used by the fishermen are made from Mahogany and Mvuli hardwoods. The wood is imported from Uganda. The approximate cost of wood for one fishing boat is approximately Ksh.30,000(USD 300).” username=”@bonitaonsafari”]

Boats

Fishing is done at night using locally hand-made traps. The traps are anchored into the water with the upper side floating on water, then a lantern lamp is attached at the top and the other side is tied to the boat.

[bctt tweet=”Fishing is done at night using locally hand-made traps. The traps are anchored into the water with the upper side floating on water, then a lantern lamp is attached at the top and the other side is tied to the boat.” username=”@bonitaonsafari”]

Hand-made traps.

The lantern lamp attracts insects such as lake flies at night. When the insects get in touch with the lantern lamp’s hot surface, they die and fall into the water then are used as bait to attract the fish. I wouldn’t have guessed how the structure works.

As we left the fishing village, the women were busy cooking for their hungry men to get them ready for the next fishing trip.[bctt tweet=”As we left the fishing village, the women were busy cooking for their hungry men to get them ready for the next fishing trip.” username=”@bonitaonsafari”]

Did I mention how thrilled I was to ride in a speed boat?

Have you been to a fishing village before? Which one did you like most? Is it similar to Litare? I am curious, let me know!

To enjoy an experience like mine reach Rusinga Island Lodge via;

E-mail : info@Rusinga.com

Tel: +254 20 2531314 / 5

Cell: +254 716 055924 / +254 734 402932

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rusinga-Island-Lodge-899854163421465/

Twitter: @RusingaLodgeKE