The Western Tour Circuit

Nyanza and Western Province are in the Western part of Kenya have a diversity of tourist's attractions which has not been packaged fully. Kisumu city is the third biggest city in Kenya. Being to the western Kenya and at the shore of the great lake Victoria, it has one of the most spectacular and breathtaking scenery offered by nature. The city is geographically at the centre of East Africa, a feature that makes it viable for regional investment and trade. There are several activities like fishing, water rafting, sight seeing and water skiing activities. Other major towns in the western circuit include Kakamega, Kisii, Homabay, Bungoma, Busia, Siaya and many more.

The region can be accessed by road, Kisumu is approximately 350km from Nairobi , take the 104 ( Nairobi , Nakuru highway) through Nakuru town, followed by the B4 (Kericho, Kisumu highway) through Kericho town to Kisumu. By air it takes 45min using Kisumu airport to the North West of kisumu town. The airport is served by Kenya Airways, Jet link, 540 airline and East African air. There is also a train service that operates the Nairobi – Kisumu route running from Mombasa through Nairobi to Uganda .

Bull fighting: This sporting event is a major attraction in Kakamega. Two large bulls are brought into a large open field to fight. Before the fight, they are given some traditional brew to charge them up. The bulls that fight are from different villages primed to take part and defend the local honour. Fighting bulls command great respect and in the days before a fight, the bull is showered with praise, blessings and ceremonial songs. Nowadays the bulls fighting are being held throughout the year as it becomes commercial venture, whereby the champion bull's owner is given money.

Rusinga island; hosts the mausoleum of the late Tom Mboya – a Kenyan nationalist leader and political genius who was assassinated in Nairobi during the political unrest of the 1960's.

Mfangano and Takawire islands have fishing camps that offer several activities. The Mbasa and Namolo islands a few meters apart. The uninhabited islands have many bird species including egrets and the fish eagle. There are also many monitor lizards, wild goats and sheep.

Ruma National park formally known as the lambwe valley national park formally known as the lambwe valley National reserve was established in 1966. At Ruma you will have a chance to see roan antelope and jacksun hartebeest a larger and redder species than coke's hartebeest which is found in most parks in Kenya .

At Sidi Crater Lake you can catch flamingos foraging through a surface of emerald algae; Sidi is located halfway between Kisumu and Homabay.

Hippo point; just outside Kisumu is an exceptional vantage point for viewing hippo and is known for it's beautiful sunsets. Also near Kisumu town you can spot plenty of large water birds that rest and breed between March and July.

The Kisumu Museum is located in Kisumu city, it was officially opened to the public in 1980. It serves as an educational and recreational center for visitors. The Museum has natural exhibits in the form of a fresh water aquarium and out door snake park and tortoise pens. The Museum is home to a 300 years old giant tortoise imported from the Seychelles in 1930.

You can experience the Luo culture by visiting the traditional Luo homestead and get to see how the Luo lived in traditional African society. Kisumu impala sanctuary is also attraction sites which do act as animal orphanage and home to the rare sitatunga antelope.

Kibuye market: Is one of the busiest and largest open air market in East Africa . Here you can see breath and experience the day to day life of the people of Nyanza.

Kit Mikaye: Is the rock where Mikaye the (mother of the luo tribe) sheltered herself after a long journey. A visit to the famous Kit mikaye rock will give you in right to the Luo community.

Ndere island National Park is just a short distance from Kit Mikaye 4.2km. The park is just off the northern shore of lake Victoria and is the home of the lesser known spotted crocodiles, monitor lizards, birds and water antelopes.

Jaramogi Museum: Is located at Kango'ke jaramogi the home of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga - Kenya 's first Vice-president in Bondo. You will have the opportunity to experience the life of the late Odinga, once described as the undisputed father of the opposition in Kenya . The Mausoleum was built above Odinga's grave in front of the house. Other display includes Odingas, briefcase, ceremonial huts and clothes he wore at various stages of his political life.

Kisii town is home to the Kisii soap stone. Visit tabaka where most of the Kenyan soap stone is extracted and later sit back and enjoy some fresh pineapples and bananas.

Kendu bay: is a small lake side town located a few hours away from Kisumu city and visit the volcanic lake and listen to the myths behind its formation at Odino falls gaze at the speeding water that has formed gullies in the area and later sample Ondago swamp for bird life. Close by you will find Awach self help women group – a project initiated by the local women for weaving and pottery.

There is also Lake Simbi , the salty lake that hosts the flamingoes when they migrate from lake Nakuru .

Weeping stone: is located just outside Kakamega town. This is a huge rock formation from which a constant stream of water cascades, hence its name and locals connect this stone with many legends and myths.

Kakamega forest; is a world famous equatorial rainforest known for its diversity of bird and insect life and its uniqueness makes conservation its top priority. It is located in Shinyalu Division of Kakamega District. A visit to the forest will give you a feel of what the Amazon looks like. It is filled with massive trees and thick wet undergrowth which is also a habitat of a world of diverse wildlife. The forest is a natural wonder that has a large variety of indigenous trees as well as species of different animals and bird life. This rainforest (the only one in Kenya ) covers 240 square kilometre and has more than 380 different types of plants and is home to 400 species of butterflies, many of which can only be found here.

The indigenous Mysopsis Eminee, locally known as Mama Mutere has a multitude of Medicinal qualities which are believed to help cure ailments such as prostrate cancer and stomach aches. This timber is very valuable and consequently, this tree has become an endangered species over the years. The forest has a primate reserve where you will get a chance to spot different species of monkeys. Families of blue and Columbus monkeys can be seen leaping through the canopies, or descending to forage on the forest floor. You will certainly spot the rare red tailed monkeys a diminutive monkey with a bright red tail.

The massive fig trees in the forest provide the monkeys with both food and reserves of rainwater in the deep wells among their roots and trunks. At night the forest is a different world, filled with bats and ringing with the sounds of frogs, night birds and the booming call of the giant forest squirrel. The reserve is a quite haven for nature lovers, the perfect place to relax for a few days.

Mount Elgon National Park: Is an impressively craggy extinct Volcano. Mount. Elgon is Kenya 's second largest Mountain, located 470 Kilometers from Nairobi . It was gazetted in 1968. Its attractions include caves, cliffs and Mountain peaks ideal for climbing, water falls, gorges, hot springs and calderas, Koitobass pack measuring 4,155metres is the highest. The mountain has many caves known collectively as Elkony where you will see ancient paintings. Bats and rock hyrax are found among the winding passage ways. The most famous cave of all is Kitum, where each night elephant herds gather and begin a slow procession deep into the mountain. The elephants make their way through the caves, following well worn paths made by generations before then. Deeply in the cave they use their tusks to excavate the walls, seeking the natural salt which they lick.

Cherengani Hills: It's located north East of Eldoret and centered upon a forested escarpment and surrounded on three sides by sheer cliff faces. They are criss crossed by walking paths and ease of direction and undemanding slopes make this excellent site for relaxing, hill walking. The highlands and escarpment of the North Rift valley provide some of the country's most awe inspiring views, across the broad and beautiful Kerio Valley . The Scenic Vistas around the Elgeyo escarpment are truly stunning, especially from the world end view port at Nyaru. Waterfalls flow down the face of these escarpments and at Chebloch, on the Valley floor, water runs through a deep and narrow gorge with rock walls.

Saiwa swamp National Park: It is one of the few parks that permits nature walking and is an ideal place for a days hike. This wild country is home to many and varied species of antelopes, the best known being the very rare semi – amphibious antelope Sitatunga.

Kitale is home to the National Museum which contains excellent ethnographic displays of the Turkana, Pokot, and Marakwet people. The outdoor exhibits include traditional homesteads of numerous tribal groups and a nature trail which leads through a virgin forest behind the Museum.

Kericho: Is the heart of Western Kenya 's tea plantation. The lush green vegetation thrives with the daily afternoon rain showers. The hills around town are covered with acres of tea bushes as far as the eye can see. The country's ( Kenya ) best tea is grown in the highlands East and West of the R. Valley. It does have a packaging firm known as Kenya tea packers (K.E.T.E. P.A.) and they market the Kenyan tea world wide.

Entertainment

Sport: Fishing is a popular sport in areas near lake Victoria

Music: You can enjoy Benga, Ohangla which in the Luo language means something beautiful it is high energy music with a pulsing beat, seat bass lines and luscious interlocking guitar riffs. It originated from Luo musician coming from the area. Isikuti, the Luhya community is known for the vibrant traditional dance known as the Sikuti. The dance is performed by groups of paired men and women to the accompaniment of bells and whistles.

Accomodation: There are several good and affrodable accommodations from three star hotels to five star. There are several eating places in major towns as well as good camping sites.

What to be bought

Kisii soap stone carvings and sculptors, Curios, Strain fishermen hats, Papyrus reeds mats, Fresh fruits, Fresh lake fish

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