The lake was 'discovered' in 1858 by the British explorer John Speke,  months after braving the dense forests and tropical diseases in his search for the source of the Nile river.

Lake Victoria is shared by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, named after Queen of England. Lake Victoria is the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest freshwater lake. Covers a total of 69,000 square kilometres, the lake is as large as Ireland, and lies in the Rift Valley of East Africa, a 3,500- mile system of deep cracks in the earth's crust running from the Red Sea south to Mozambique. Although this region of Africa is better known for its large cats and the herds of wildebeests, zebras and giraffes that roam the savannah plains, its most diverse and endangered ecosystems are to be found under water.

Early in the 20th century, the colonialists started to exploit the Lakes watershed. Cleared the surrounding natural vegetation, denuding forests and draining swamps, to plant cash crops, such as tea, coffee and sugar.

Leisure fishing is popular on the resorts built on the natural sandy exotic islands.

Accommodation option on lake Victoria include:
 

Takawiri island resort

Mfangano island camp

Rusinga island club

Kisumu Sunset hotel

Kisumu Imperial hotel