Is it safe to visit lake Victoria, Kenya?

Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Lake Victoria each year, despite the fact that some media outlets claim it is one of the most hazardous places in Africa. Here, you must examine the travel statistics - or lack thereof - and determine for yourself if a vacation in Lake Victoria is worthwhile.

Swimming in Lake Victoria

Swimming at Lake Victoria is not encouraged, yet both locals and foreign visitors do so. The primary concern of swimming in Lake Victoria is the chance of developing bilharzia. The lake is also home to big populations of hippos and crocodiles.

Fishing is one of the delights of a vacation to Lake Victoria, but it's vital to note that many people die as a consequence of watercraft accidents and drownings. There are several reasons for this, but the primary causes include harsh weather and boat capsizing.

Bilharzia in Lake Victoria

This deadly tropical illness is spread by bilharzia-infected snails. Bilharzia is known as Schistosomiasis in medicine and as snail fever' among the people. Schistosomiasis is widespread in most of Africa's great lakes.

Bilharzia, unlike malaria, does not cause rapid death, although it does induce highly unpleasant symptoms. It can be fatal if the parasite lives in your body without being recognized or treated, causing irreversible organ damage.

Extreme weather conditions in Lake Victoria

Every year, over 5,000 people die as a result of water-related incidents in Lake Victoria. This is due to a mix of harsh weather patterns, inadequate fishing vessels, and individuals who are not excellent swimmers.

The weather on the big lake can quickly change from cool and pleasant to hot and dangerous. Strong winds create large waves that might make you feel as if you're on a boat in the middle of the ocean amid a storm. The high winds can drive the boats against rocks.

Windy conditions are most severe in June, July, and August.

Boating accidents in Lake Victoria

A fishing expedition in Lake Victoria is safe as long as you follow the standard measures to avoid a terrible boating accident or drowning. The most important thing is to plan a fishing excursion in Lake Victoria with a reputed operator who has a reliable,'seaworthy' boat and years of lake fishing expertise.

The majority of boating accidents in Lake Victoria go unreported, and they are typically sad cases of locals being trapped out on the lake in harsh weather and in "unseaworthy" boats.

Other reasons of mortality on Lake Victoria include overloaded boats, underpowered engines, inebriated sailors, careless ferry operators, poor night vision, a lack of police and rules, and passengers who do not use life jackets.