Lake Victoria

The source of the Nile and the largest body of fresh water in Africa (and second largest in the world). Only 5% of the lake belongs to Kenya, with its neighbours Uganda and Tanzania owning the rest. The Kenyan section of the lake is in the far north-eastern corner and contains a few islands with simple fishing villages along the shores of the larger ones.

Lake Victoria's birdlife is outstanding, small islets contain huge nesting colonies of egrets, cormorants and gannets and territorial fish eagles patrol every 100 yards. Some of the fish eagles have become habituated to being thrown fish from the boat and swoop down to claim an easy prey. There are of course hippos and crocodiles in Lake Victoria. At night the local fishermen tiny silver Kapenta sardines, which they then lay out all day to dry. This provides the basis of many people's diets along this lake.