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Ndere Island National Park

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A Guide To Ndere Island National Park

Ndere Island National Park the 4.2 square park is on an island, off the northern shore of lake Victoria in Kisumu. Ndere means ‘meeting place’ in Dholuo, the language of the local people. According to folklore, Kit Mikayi, the mother of the community, rested near Ndere after a long journey down the Nile valley.

Attractions to the park include butterflies, fish eagles, hippos, Nile crocodiles and impalas. The park can be accessed by road or by boat from Kisumu. Kisumu airport -60km away- can also be used to reach the park.

Quick Facts About Ndere Island National Park

Here is a List of Facts About the Park

  • Location: Kisumu district of Nyanza
  • Distance from Nairobi: 432 Km
  • Size: 4,2 square Km
  • Climatic conditions: Hot and Humid
  • Attractions and Wildlife: Ndere Island, game viewing, African Fish eagles, hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, impalas
  • Access:
  • Road: Access to the park can be by road or by boat from Kisumu
  • Air: Kisumu Airport is 60 Km away
  • Accommodation: Two KWS Campsites
  • Best time to visit: All year round
  • Activities: Walking, game viewing

About Ndere Island National Park

The Park is a haven for birds located on Lake Victoria. It is mainly covered in grassland which provides beautiful scenic views of the Homa hills to the south, Mageta Island to the east, and glimpses of Kampala in Uganda beyond the southwest horizon.

History of Ndere Island National Park

The park was established as the Ndere Island National Reserve in November 1986 and since that time been uninhabited. Ndere means ” meeting” place in Dholuo. According to Luo folklore, early tribal migrants rested up near Ndere after their long journey south up the Nile River Valley.

It is also an island of serenity and beauty on one of the islands of Lake Victoria, the park is a paradise with beautiful butterflies, blooming flowers, a fresh smell of natural grass, and stunning views of the magnificent flora and fauna.

The park is located on an island of Africa’s largest inland lake, Lake Victoria, and is accessed by boat from the shores of Lake Victoria. The park also presents refuge to its different wildlife species that thrive along the shores of Lake Victoria.

Ndere Island National Park
Ndere Island National Park

What to See At Ndere Island National Park Activities

Game Viewing

  • Game viewing in the Park is a compelling experience presenting you a great chance to spot different animals inhabiting the park and the waters of Lake Victoria such as the hippos, impala, rare sitatunga antelopes, monkeys, baboons, Nile crocodiles, impalas and various snakes and also the fish.

Wildlife

  • Lake shore’s inhabitants include hippopotamus, monitor lizards, Nile crocodiles, several fish species, and snakes especially pythons, puff adder, aardvark, butterflies, and vipers are also evident.
  • We also have troops of baboons, monkeys, impalas, the rare sitatunga antelopes, waterbucks, Zebras, and warthogs. We have over 100 different species of birds e.g. African fish eagle, black-headed gonolek, Hamerkop, grey-headed kingfisher.

Bird Species

  • It is home to over 100 different species of birds including African fish eagles, black-headed gonoleks, and grey-headed kingfishers.

Serene Hiking Trails

  • The clean crisp air, the spectacular nectar-sucking antagonism between a colony of bees, a kaleidoscope of beautiful butterflies, the whiff of fresh grass, and a flight of birds incorporated with interesting finds along the hiking trails of the island coupled with the sheer coolness of the Park environment makes it a great terminus for absolute solitude lovers to explore and be in the presence of nature.

Luo Culture

  • You can see Luo culture through their traditional concerts, daily life, and local crafts. You can also see the island’s vegetation, wildlife, and scenic views.

Ndere Island National Park Animals

  • hippos
  • monitor lizards
  • Nile crocodiles
  • several fish species
  • snakes
  • baboons
  • impalas
  • the rare sitatunga antelopes
  • waterbucks
  • zebras

Ndere Island National Park Packages

1-Day Ndere Island Tour from Kisumu

  • Kisumu Day Tours Ndere Island National Park 1 Day Trip is an affordable, short safari to the Park – hidden in Lake Victoria about 50 km from Kisumu off the Kisumu Bondo Highway.
  • The Park can also be accessed by speed boat taking forty-five minutes from Kisumu. This small island is 4.2 km²/1.6 mi² and is a birdwatchers’ paradise with over 100 various species of birds.
  • Other wildlife includes warthogs, monkeys, impalas, the rare sitatunga antelopes, water bucks, zebras, hippos, zebras, baboons, snakes, crocodiles, and several fish species.

Half-Day Kisumu-Ndere Island Tour

  • Depart from Kisumu driving to Kaloka Beach to take a traditional boat ride to the Island. On arrival, you will walk through with your guide on the Island to see the different animals, birds, crocs, hippos, etc,
  • You will also enjoy your picnic lunches before your transfer by boat to Kaloka where you will be moved further to Kisumu by your driver to end this trip.

4-Day Exploration of Ndere Island National Park

  • This will give you the most magical Kenyan safari to the Park which offers quite a remarkable investigation from that of Big 5 game and predator safari destinations.
  • Your safari will begin from Nairobi taking you to Kisumu city on the shores of Lake Victoria to this Ndere island for a compelling adventure that will give you memorable days.

Full-Day Private Tour to Ndere Island from Kisumu

  • It offers personalized adventures, including guided nature walks, wildlife spotting, a picnic lunch, and a boat ride to the island. Usually, the package covers all fees, taxes, and bottled water.

Kisumu Day Tour to Ndere Island National Park

  • This is a very affordable, short safari that leaves Kisumu, involving a drive to Kaloka Beach followed by a boat ride to the island.
  • Activities taking place include hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing. The package typically includes transportation, professional guides, and park entry fees.

How to get to Ndere Island National Park

  • By road from Kisumu city: Take Kisumu- Bondo road branching left after Holo market or left at Kombewa shopping center to the park headquarters sandwiched between Asat and Bao beach. The park headquarters is 12km away from this tarmac road.
  • By water from Kisumu: It will take about 45 minutes with a speed boat direct from Kisumu city to the Park.

Ndere Island National Park Entrance Fee

Citizen

  • Adults KSH: 350
  • Child KSH: 200

Resident

  • Adults KSH: 600
  • Child KSH: 350

Non – Resident

  • Adults USD:25
  • Child USD:15

Ndere Island National Park Contacts

  • Attraction Type: Wildlife, Scenery & Landscapes
  • Category: National Park, Lake or River
  • Region: Western
  • City / Town: Bondo
  • Road / Street: Bondo-Usenge road
  • Telephone: 254 20 353 0417 254 721 756940
  • Email: nderenp@kws.go.ke
  • Website: http://www.kws.org/parks/parks_reserves/NINP.html
  • Entrance Fee: Yes