Western Kenya: The Forests, The Lakes and Vibrant Cultures

Unique Selling Points

Flight: Western Kenya is easily accessible via flights from Nairobi to Kisumu, Kakamega, and Kitale.

Road: It is also accessible by road due to the enhanced road network.

Water: From the surrounding countries and towns, Kisumu can be accessed by water on Lake Victoria.

Rail: Kisumu will be easily accessible by rail as the railway network is currently being enhanced to reach the lakeside city.

A wealth of cultural and historical attractions

One of Kenya's most exciting cultural events can be experienced in this region, such as the Rusinga Cultural Festival and the bullfighting at Kakamega, which creates an unforgettable spectacle. A hike through the world's famous Kakamega tropical forest, not forgetting the tea highlands at Kericho tea farms.

The massive sacred stones of Kit Mikayi and the Crying Stone of the Maragoli have great meaning to the Luo and Luhya communities, respectively, and the Tom Mboya mausoleum on Rusinga Island. Thimlich Ohinga, a 14th-century complex surrounded by a stone wall, was recently added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites (June 2018).

Unique Selling Points

Perhaps the greatest selling point of Western Kenya is Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake at 26,000 sq. miles, and Kisumu, a vibrant city by the lakeside. Just north of Kisumu lies Kogelo, the ancestral village of former U.S. President Barack Obama, where his father was born in 1936 and where his grandmother still lives.

Attractions

In addition to Kogelo, Western Kenya is home to several national parks, including Ruma National Park, where one can see Jackson’s hartebeest and the huge, horse-like roan antelope (the only place to do so); Saiwa Swamp National Park, the country’s smallest national park that was created especially for the protection of a rare antelope called the sitatunga; and Mount Elgon National Park, which straddles the Kenya-Uganda border.

In Kericho & Bomet, recommend a visit to giant tea plantations or venture out to the Kakamega Forest for birding and hiking experiences. The islands of Rusinga, Mfangano, and Takawiri are a draw for travelers to Western Kenya.

Activities

You can suggest a visit to Kisumu Museum, which offers displays of local village life and Lake Victoria’s aquatic life, or recommend a sailing trip on Lake Victoria where they can visit some of its beautiful islands. Birdwatching is also excellent on Lake Victoria, and trekking through the Kakamega Forest is a must. Kakamega is the last significant stand of Guineo-Congolian rainforest in Kenya and contains 400 species of butterflies, seven species of monkeys, and hundreds of bird species.

In Kericho, there’s the opportunity to have a guided tour of the town’s plethora of colonial-era tea estates.

Experiences

In addition to the off-the-beaten-path wildlife experiences in Western Kenya and the excitement of visiting Obama’s ancestral home, there are numerous cultural experiences in Western Kenya unlike any other. The locals in the western part of the country are extremely friendly, and one of the best places to meet them is at an outdoor market.

Kisumu's Main Market is one of Kenya's most animated, and certainly one of its largest. If clients are curious or just looking for essentials, it's worth a visit. Farm tours in Kericho and Bomet and watersports on the islands, which include boat rides, kayaking, and windsurfing.

About Western Kenya

There is a wealth of cultural and historical attractions here. The massive sacred stones of Kit Mikayi and The Crying Stone at Kakamega have great meaning to both the Luo and Luhyia communities respectively. The beautiful beaches at Takawiri in Rusinga Island are a sight to behold for beach lovers.

Thimlich Ohinga Pre-historic site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Migori town. It is the largest and best-preserved stone settlement/ruins that were built in the 16th Century, serving as a fort for the local community and defining social entities.

Beautiful Lakes and Highlands

Kisumu, on the shores of Lake Victoria, is the main city of Western Kenya and Kenya’s third largest after Nairobi and Mombasa. The Western Highlands rise around Victoria with beautiful views of Kakamega tropical forest, dotted with a cluster of little towns such as Bomet, Kisii, and Kericho.

This region is probably one of the parts of the country least known to travelers, yet it is filled with a great variety of diverse attractions. The region is positioned as Kenya’s ecotourism destination.