Things to do in Kisumu
Things to do in Kisumu : Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and the seaside city of Mombasa are the country’s two largest cities, with Kisumu City coming in third. Located on the banks of Lake Victoria, the biggest freshwater lake in the world, Kisumu is the only city near the lake. Kisumu, Western Kenya’s commercial centre, is close to Kogelo, a settlement made famous as the birthplace of Barack Obama Sr., the father of the 44th president of the United States. The cultural centre of East Africa’s Luo-speaking population is Kisumu. Native to the Kavirondo region, it was the most important urban centre in pre-colonial, post-colonial, and modern times. Kisumu, a lakeside city, is home to some of the most important political events that have influenced Kenya’s history, such as the well-known political dispute between Jomo Kenyatta, the country’s first president, and Jaramogi Odinga, its first vice president, which took place during the 1969 opening of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. In addition to being a significant political hub, it is one of Kenya’s leading business and industrial hubs. The downtown and lower town areas of the city are currently seeing an urban renewal that includes pedestrian-friendly streets, lakefront modernisation, and main street decongestion. Kisumu city, located on the beaches of Lake Victoria on Kenya’s Western Tourism Circuit, is a popular tourist and commercial destination. The Central Business District of Kisumu is just ten minutes away from Kisumu International Airport, which provides easy access by road, the recently restored metre gauge railway, and by air.
When it comes to showcasing what Kenya has to offer, wildlife viewing is still the most popular Kenya safari activity for first-time tourists in Kenya, and Kisumu is no exception. The Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, which is just a short drive from the city, is birdwatcher’s paradise with more than 200 different species of birds in addition to herds of impalas. Lions, zebras, cheetahs, buffaloes, baboons, hyenas, leopards, jackals, duikers, and bush bucks are among the other animals. Ruma, the sole terrestrial park in Western Kenya, is located outside of the city and is home to a variety of wildlife, including Cape Buffalo, Roan Antelope, Black and White Rhinos, Rothschild’s Giraffe, Vervet Monkeys, Burchell’s Zebra, Topi, Impalas, and more than 300 bird species.
Kisumu Impala Sanctuary
Kisumu Impala Sanctuary is located in Siaya County, Kenya safari tour children of all ages can visit the fantastic instructive Kisumu Impala Sanctuary. This hidden jewel, which is tucked away on the banks of Lake Victoria in Kenya, is home to a wide range of wildlife, including cheetahs, lions, leopards, giraffes, impalas, and zebras. Your children will adore getting a close-up look at these creatures, learning about their habitats and behaviours, and picking up a tonne of knowledge about conservation and the environment.
Kisumu Museum
The Kisumu-Kericho highway runs alongside the Kisumu Museum. The museum, which opened in 1980, focusses on Kisumu County and surrounding western Kenya while disseminating and preserving information on scientific and cultural topics. The museum’s collection of western fauna and flora species is one of its main characteristics. Reptiles and amphibians gathered from western Kenya are the primary noteworthy animals. Along with various traditional antiques from the Luo and other cultures in the region, you also get to see a traditional Luo homestead. The Kisumu Museum is also a great place to hold workshops and seminars, both domestically and abroad. A few historically significant monuments and locations, such as the Kanjira, Rusinga Islands, Fort Tenan, Thimlich Ohinga, and Songhor, are connected to the museum. Children can learn a lot about Kenya’s history, culture, and natural environment at the Kisumu Museum. There are many entertaining and educational displays within the museum. The traditional Luo village, with its rich culture and traditional artefacts, will be adored by your children. The snake park features a crocodile enclosure, a tortoise pen, and a variety of snakes. Additionally, there is an aquarium where your children may learn about the various fish species found in Lake Victoria and other regions of Kenya.
Ruma National park
Ruma National park is nestled in a valley surrounded by the majestic Gwassi Hills and rolling savannahs at the foot of the towering Kanyamwa escarpment. Returning to Kisumu, the excellent network of nature paths at Ndere Island National Park makes it a popular safari destination for those who enjoy the outdoors. Hippos, impalas, crocodiles, Burchell’s Zebras, and numerous birds can be seen on a guided nature walk, both on foot and by boat.
Hippo Point
This open observation area on Lake Victoria spans six hundred acres. Along with the occasional hippos, it is well-known as a viewing location for its breathtaking sunsets across the lake. You can take a boat trip to Hippo Point and observe the birds and hippos in their native environments. When friends, family, and revellers from all over the nation come together for the sunset or just to enjoy the local cuisine on weekends and holidays, Hippo Point is a popular Kenya safari destination. It is the perfect retreat in Kisumu’s outskirts.
Dunga Wetlands and Beach
The renowned village’s diversified papyrus wetland habitat and community, as well as its culturally rich biodiversity, make it a unique eco-cultural destination. Through bird watching and other tourism-related revenue-generating activities, Dunga Beach and Wetlands seeks to strengthen the local community and enhance regional security. Numerous activities are available to you, including fishing, boating, kayaking, village tours, and birdwatching. Enjoy the refreshing lake breeze while dining on some of the tastiest fish in Kisumu at Dunga.
Lake Victoria
The largest lake in Africa is Lake Victoria, and it would be a sin to skip a visit while you’re there. There are many reasons to visit Lake Victoria, but keep in mind that it is ranked highly in several lake statistics, even globally. It is, among other things, Africa’s largest lake by surface area and the largest tropical body of water in the world. Considering these remarks, a trip to Lake Victoria ought to be accompanied by a certain level of prestige and a respect for geography and history. Although the Nile River is a hot topic in Egypt, Lake Victoria, which appears to be our backyard, is the source of the river’s waters. The stunning Lake Victoria is located in the former western province of Kenya. This enormous lake, which is twice as large as Wales, forms a natural border between Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Rich past and Culture
Port Florence, which dates back to the beginning of the 1900s, is part of Kisumu’s rich past. Learning about the various facets of the culture that the towns surrounding the lake have preserved is an intriguing experience. The Kisumu Museum, which displays the characteristics of the people, such as clothing, housing, food, farming, fishing, and hunting instruments, is one place of interest where you can learn about the culture. A trip to Kit Mikayi, the Luanda Magere Site, the Grave, and Kogelo village—the birthplace of President Barack Obama’s father—are also well-liked day trips farther away. If you have the time, you may also like to visit the prehistoric sites at Fort Songhor and the Kanjira Prehistoric site and hot springs (Bala Rawi), where you can boil eggs.
