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Litare Fishing Village-Homabay,Lake Victoria Kenya...

Litare Fishing Village-Homabay,Lake Victoria Kenya.

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

 

 

 


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I travel, I write about travel. I take travel photos. Talk to me about destination reviews,cultural trips, and responsible tourism.

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  1. Denis

    29 January

    ? the land of omena. Wonderful people down there #twendewestern #TembeaKenya

  2. Charity

    29 January

    Beautiful, it’s about time we changed the travel/holiday trend to the other parts of Kenya’s hidden gems.
    The write up and photos are on point, would make anyone have the curiosity to visit, experience, adventure and explore.
    #tembeakenya

  3. Olesya

    30 January

    Wow, I love this. Amazing pictures too. I love that you’re spreading awareness about a place most travelers don’t go to.

  4. Wendy Maes

    30 January

    I was in a fishing village in Senegal (Mbout). It’s so impressive to see the fisherman come home while all the wives are waiting on the beach. It’s a must do

  5. Laura

    30 January

    Sounds like a beautiful hidden gem. The photos are gorgeous and I bet the food there is amazing too!

    • Victor Orao

      14 February

      The West Coast of Kenya – a colorful and exciting Excursion to Rusinga Island offers endless choices of activities from Boat rides to the birds Islands and the White sandy beaches of Takawiri Island, Hunting of Nile Perch for lunch, mountain bikes ride for the actives near the lodge or try 25kms ride round the Rusinga ring road, visiting the Fossils site where in 1948 Mary Laekey discovered Proconsul Heseloni. Welcome and lets explore this hidden gem.

  6. So nice that they made the arrangement for you to visit this fishing village. That’s a lot of fish they caught! and they are so tiny. WHat hard working people to be able to do that at night in the cold.

  7. Myra

    30 January

    I wonder how fresh fulu and omena would taste. This is a plot ?

  8. Hendrik

    30 January

    Such a beautiful private lodge! Looks really “paradisish”. The fishes are really tiny, hard to imagine to get full from them 😉
    I just hope that fishing will also be still in many years possible there for these fishermen, since it is such important economical base for the people there.

  9. Gokul Raj

    31 January

    Wow…that is nice and quiet place. Perfect for an introvert like me.

  10. J

    31 January

    The waters are so clear……
    Loved the description of the place; very vivid, mental image imprinted!

  11. Izzo

    31 January

    Lovely. A place to be indeed. The description of the Egret birds has made my day… Laziest! But smart I must say. Keep the good work. Kenya is captivating

  12. Nomadic Foot

    31 January

    i always knew Kenya as a place of wild life only but you changed my perception. This part of the Kenya also good.

  13. Samantha

    1 February

    What stunning pictures – this has absolutely made my wanderlust go on high alert! This village is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing these pictures and your insight.

  14. Carola

    3 February

    Wow! I didn’t even know there were islands on the Kenyan side of Lake Victoria. Crossed from Mwanza to Bukoba in 2012 and it was a beautiful journey.

    Happy continued travels!

  15. That little fish you caught is so tiny. Very cute post and excellent pictures! 🙂

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