THESE FLAMINGOES TRAVEL ALL OVER EAST AFRICA AND NOW YOU CAN SEE THEM FROM OSIRI BEACH

One more reason you should tour Osiri Beach Resort, Homa Bay County: the flamingoes are back and they long to be domesticated in homes! These flamingoes come with tales from Lake Natron in Tanzania, Lake Nakuru and many other places. According to the Luo myth, they are the domestic fowls that the Lady of the Lake (Nyanam) turned into wild birds as the Simbi village was being sunk as punishment for her slighting. But they have a photographic memory of where they came from, and so return often to Simbi and the outlying villages. Do they want to be domestic fowls again? Probably, judging by how close they are to the houses. The last time, they were here was in April this year. If you come to Osiri, we can perform for you the story of Simbi Nyaima.

Lake Simbi, also known as Simbi Nyaima, is scientifically a crater lake, but mythically a drowned village, whose domestic fowls turned into flamingos and other water birds currently resident there. Tradition has it that Min Koth or Nyar Nam from the Lake Lolwe (Victoria) wanted to bestow the power of rainmaking to the people. From the Womb of the Lake she came disguised as a hag and went to find the Simbi village in festive mood. But the people did not welcome her, for her sorry state. She was only welcomed by a widow, whom she advised to accompany her for she would destroy the village with floods. She caused a storm which drowned the village. In one version, she takes the rain-making power to another people, known as the joka- Nganyi, hence the saying, Sunga Joluo nomiyo koth odhi ne joka-Nganyi (The pride of the Luos made them lose the power of rain-making to the Nganyi people.)

Osiri Beach Resort and Adventures

Hotel and Adventure Village

On Lake Victoria

Osiri Beach Resort and Adventures

offers luxury accommodation and camping facilities on the shores of Lake Victoria. Situated six kilometres north-east of Homa Bay town, it overlooks the whole Winam Gulf and the Huma Mountain, the highest peak on Lake Victoria.

The complex consists of tents, rooms, self-catering units, furnished lounge, bar and dining area.

 The beach is host to rare species of water plants and birds, reptiles, hippos and occasional crocodiles.

Safaris--including Lake Victoria beach trek--across or around the Lake are offered.

Nature walks, picnics, mountain climbing (mount Huma), canoeing, cultural festivals and tours in the nearby villages are special activities at the hotel.

Either, you can relax and watch the special Osiri adventures and sports, including Lwenj Nam (the Battle on the Lake), Orindi-ni-chik! (water polevault), Tero Buru (a cultural reenactment), Ox racing--dangerous but sweet, swimming with the crocodiles and how to ride a hippo! Or you can get involved.

Special offers include the Luo dances and songs, tero buru, drama, customs, arts and crafts, the story-time in the famous Story Museum, the only museum of its kind in Africa.

Sporting activities, such as beach volleyball, boat racing, and fishing are offered.

Exclusively Osirian is the water bike racing (the only one of its kind in the world).

Plus the village camp sites nearby.

Visits to the Ruma National Park (25 km away, home to the rare Rhone antelope), the mythical Simbi Nyaima crater lake and home to flamingoes (16 km away), the Mount Huma and its hot springs (10 km away), Koguta swamp (15 km away, home to rare sitatunga) and to any of the many Lake Victoria islands (the nearest is 10 km away) can be arranged.

Osiri Botanic Beach Garden is one proud part of Osiri Beach Resort/Osiri Beach Adventures. It stretches from the Osiri Hill, the hill of the magicians, to the Osiri beach, which hosted the legendary extinct lukwata beasts.

As a place where only magicians used to reside, the garden is home to medicinal plants and rare, unclassified tree and animal species that are endemic to Osiri (i.e. they grow natural

ly only in Osiri and may be found nowhere else).  Above all, it is the only garden where indigenous flowers in great diversity, are preserved. It is ideal for a retreat, its tree shades and rocks are shrines where, Adrian Onyando got inspiration to write his famous stories. There is even an Inspiration Tree there!

How far must you go to find real solitude? Not farther that the Osiri Botanic Beach Garden. Only the singing of birds and the stunning beauty of the Lake and landscape may be a distraction. 

A viewing deck on top of the hill provides a panoramic view of the Lake and the famous golden sunset on its waters.