Kiboko Bay Resort Fronts Lake Victoria

Kiboko Bay Resort is nestled on the lush shores of the vast shimmering Lake Victoria in Kisumu, the third largest of the Kenya cities.

The resort, which is roughly the midpoint between the Kisumu Impala Sanctuary and Dunga Fishing village, is consistently rated as the best of the Kisumu hotels...

This is probably why Kiboko Bay has been frequented by important guests, such as the Dutch crown prince and a number of ambassadors.

Guests can therefore be sure that they will be well-looked after here.

Accommodations

Accommodations consist of raised chalet tents over which a traditional grass thatched roof is superimposed. These are not your run of the mill tents though. They are more like cottages that are designed with a distinct African feel.

These tents are set on some expensive grounds with huge mature trees which have touching canopies.

Because several birds call these trees home, you can look forward to waking to the sound of birds twittering away.

Air conditioning, well-stocked mini bar fridges, satellite TV and internet connectivity are standard features in all the rooms.

Each of these tents also has a private bathroom with shower and you can take in some memorable views of the lake from your room's armchair.

Services and Amenities

The Kiboko Bay Resort's services and amenities add an aura of charm to both the business and leisure holiday.

• 2 dining options. A formal dining room and a lakeside/ poolside café offer an a la carte menu in a casual al fresco atmosphere.

• A good-size outdoor swimming pool and a baby pool are a welcome spot to relax after soaking up Kisumu's heat.

• The resort owns a couple of speedboats which can be hired for fishing and sightseeing rides. Boat trips to and picnics in the Kisumu Bird Sanctuary and Ndere Island National Park are particularly rewarding.

• The resort can also arrange excursions to the on-land attractions with the favorites being the Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Kisumu Museum and Dunga Fishing Village.

Guest Reviews

What Guests Liked

• This is the place to stay if you are a hippo lover. The massive herbivore than inhabits Lake Victoria, is the resort's mascot. And hippos are everywhere...

  You can see them grazing on the lake shores within the resort's precincts early in the morning. They are also immortalized in the resort's name ("kiboko" is Swahili for hippo), table lamps and even door stoppers.

• This Kisumu hotel offers the best of both worlds. It is located out of the city center but close enough to make quick inexpensive trips in to the city.

• The resort has frontage on the lake. So, unlike other hotels which claim to provide views of the lake, at Kiboko Bay, you can both see and touch the lake. And, from the lakeside café, you can enjoy some memorable sundowners against the surreal backdrop of spectacular sunsets in the evenings.

• Friendly knowledgeable staff. The amiable staff will answer your nagging questions about the hotel facilities and indeed about Kisumu.

• Close to the Kisumu attractions. Kisumu Impala Sanctuary and the Dunga fishing village are pretty close and Kisumu Museum a short taxi ride away.

• Excellent food. (I have eaten at the poolside restaurant and can vouch for claims about Kiboko Bay's superb food). The fish is caught daily by the resort's fishermen and is guaranteed to be fresh. The restaurants also cater for all culinary tastes, including vegetarians.

• Kiboko Bay is not crowded. It thankfully, lacks the hustle and bustle of a large hotel and is therefore more intimate and personal. And chances are, that you will be on first name basis with the front office staff from the minute you arrive here.

• Clean. The rooms, bathrooms and compounds are spick and span.

• Fun. The fishing trips, particularly those organized by Nirmal, the resort owner, are fantastic. He knows the geography of the lake like the back of his hand and imparts this as you go along.

What Guests Disliked

The last stretch of road to Kiboko Bay Resort is untarmacked and bumpy. And it gets pretty muddy when it rains.

There are quite a few mosquitoes so do remember to pack a repellent for nights out and to sleep under a mosquito net.

Summary

Kiboko Bay has a lot going for it. Lakeside location. Breathtaking sunsets. Tranquil. Great food. Friendly staff.

It is little wonder that it has been voted the best place to stay in Kisumu both by VIPs and ordinary souls like myself. The Kiboko Bay Resort is therefore highly recommended for the discerning traveler who's looking for Kisumu accommodation that has elicited rave reviews.

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