The world's second-largest lake is the main source of the Nile River. Perhaps because Kenya has such an abundance of natural beauty, it ranks fairly low as a tourist destination—the smaller lakes are generally more rewarding to visit.
But if you're interested in fishing (for Nile perch, especially) or if you're in the area and time is not a problem, by all means visit its shores. We took a fun ride in dugout canoes and saw plenty of pelicans and herons. Don't swim in the lake, however: Bilharzia, a liver-damaging parasite, is present in some areas. For serious (and wealthy) fisherman there is a wonderful luxury fishing camp on Mfangano Island. Leopards and Rothschild giraffes roam the nearby Ruma National Park, and this is the only place in Kenya where roan antelope can be found.
The lake is 200 mi/320 km west of Nairobi.