The Migingo Island Guide - Crowded and disputed

When it comes to International Islands, Migingo Island is one of our favourites, not only has there been territorial disputes, but it has almost caused war and is the most densely populated island on earth.

President Trump might call places like these shitholes, but to us they are utter gems and from an interest point of view, well you really can’t get much more facinating an island as Migingo Island.

What is the Migingo Island story?

A 200 square meter island in Lake Victoria, this makes it a lake island rather than our more popular sea variety. Two Kenyan fishermen, Dalmas Tembo and George Kibebe, claim to have been the first inhabitants on the island as late as 1991, from where Ugandans, and Tanzanian fishermen also thought it would be a cool base and a community started to grow.

To read about Savo Island click here

And boy did it grow, becoming what was essentially an island shanty town, with over 100 people calling this very small piece of land home = they also created lots to do, which we will get to later.

Who owns Migingo Island?

Well it would appear that mp one actually owned the island, or gave a shit about it until it was discovered that owning it would give fishing rights. This led to Uganda and Kenya disputing ownership and even almost going to war – all weather quite silly!

This eventually culminated in Uganda eventually admitting that it was actually a Kenyan island and their flag being lowered and the Kenyan one raised. It has though for all intents remained a multicultural zone for horny sailors!

What can you do on Migingo Island?

There are houses, shops and officially 4 bars. That is exactly how many bars there are on the island nation of Nauru, just to give some context.

To read about Nauru click here.

There are also apparently a “number of brothels”, sailors and brothels do indeed go together like peas and carrots. This is an island I have yet to visit, but it is very much on my to go list.

Can you buy Migingo Island?

Not only is it not for sale, but countries literally went to war over it. You could though probably easily buy land, or a shack here as it is basically the world only island shanty town.