Lapped by the waters of Lake Victoria, shaded by giant fig trees, and lost to the world, Mfangano Island Camp is an oasis of tranquillity, an ideal retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The island has just one road and no other hotels to disturb the peace. The only way to reach Mfangano Island is by light aircraft, an adventure in itself. You land on a dusty airstrip, then it’s a short ride by speedboat to the camp.

Your first view is of beautiful gardens set on a secluded bay. Lawns hug the waterline, flowerbeds and rock gardens surround the camp. Enormous boulders sit at the water’s edge, a perch for cormorants or giant monitor lizards to sun themselves.

All the buildings are in the local Luo tribal style, walls of smoothed mud and clay, rooves of thatch and banana leaf - cool and airy. The dining room and lounge are fanned by breezes from the lake.

There are just six rooms. Each set close to the waters edge, decorated with local handicrafts. Bathrooms with modern fittings are finished in local stone. At night the sound of waves will lull you to sleep.

If all you desire is to laze in the sunshine, each room has it’s own private veranda with sunbeds. Or there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied. The food’s as fresh as can be, fished from the lake or picked fresh from the island’s vegetable gardens and orchards.