Best Places to Visit in Kisumu City for Holiday

Kisumu

Kisumu is a city located in western Kenya, on the shores of Lake Victoria. It is a popular destination for tourists due to its rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant atmosphere. Some of the top tourist attractions in Kisumu include:

Kisumu

Kisumu Museum

The Kisumu Museum is the third-largest city in Kenya, on the shores of Lake Victoria. The museum was established in 1980 and is managed by the National Museums of Kenya. It is dedicated to showcasing the history, culture, and biodiversity of the western region of Kenya especially the Luo community.

The Museum has several galleries that exhibit a wide range of artifacts.

These includes traditional musical instruments, fishing gear, agricultural tools, and traditional clothing.

One of the highlights of the museum is the traditional Luo homestead, which is a replica of a traditional Luo home. The homestead is designed to showcase the traditional architecture and way of life of the Luo people.

Dunga Hill Forest Reserve

It covers an area of about 160 hectares and is situated on a hill overlooking Lake Victoria. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife and plant species, including baboons, vervet monkeys, bushbucks, and several species of birds.

The Dunga Hill Forest Reserve is an important ecosystem that provides several benefits to the local community and the environment. It serves as a critical water catchment area for Lake Victoria and provides habitat for wildlife. Additionally, the reserve is a popular destination for eco-tourism, providing opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and nature photography.

Ndere Island National Park

Ndere Island National Park is a protected area located in Kisumu County, Kenya. It covers an area of about 4.2 square kilometers and is situated on Ndere Island in Lake Victoria. The park is home to a variety of wildlife and plant species, including impalas, waterbucks, zebras, monkeys, baboons, and several species of birds.

Ndere Island National Park is an important ecosystem that provides several benefits to the local community and the environment. It serves as a critical habitat for wildlife, particularly for impalas and waterbucks, which are not found in any other park in western Kenya. Additionally, the park is a popular destination for ecotourism, providing opportunities for bird watching, boat rides, hiking, and camping.

Kit Mikayi

Kit Mikayi means “the stone of the first wife” in the local Luo language. It is characterized by towering rocks that create several caves and rock shelters. The site is surrounded by a lush green forest, which is home to several bird species and primates.

The cultural significance of Kit Mikayi has attracted several visitors over the years. This incudes tourists, scholars, and religious pilgrims seeking to learn about Luo traditions and beliefs. The site is also a popular destination for hiking and picnicking, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Impala Sanctuary

The Impala Sanctuary was established in the early 1990s to protect the impala population that was threatened by poaching and habitat loss. The sanctuary is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service and serves as a popular destination for eco-tourism, providing opportunities for nature walks, bird watching, and photography.

It covers an area of about 3.2 hectares and is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, near the Kisumu Impala Hotel. The sanctuary is home to several wildlife species, including impalas, baboons, bushbucks, velvet monkeys, and several species of birds.

Hippo Point kisumu

Hippo point is a private wildlife sanctuary that covers an area of about 600 acres. It is popular destination located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kisumu County, western Kenya. It is known for its stunning views of the lake and its diverse wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, and several bird species.

In addition to wildlife, Hippo Point is also known for its stunning scenery, with panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding landscape. Visitors can relax and enjoy the peaceful environment or take a walk on the sandy beaches of the lake.

Hippo Point has a restaurant that serves a range of local and international cuisine, including fresh fish and seafood, made with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant provides a perfect place to enjoy a meal while admiring the beautiful scenery and relaxing atmosphere.

Dunga Beach

The beach is known for its serene and peaceful environment, which provides a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

It is a great place to relax and unwind, with its white sandy beaches and clear waters. Visitors can take a boat ride on the lake, go fishing, or take a stroll along the beach to explore the local fishing villages. The area is also home to several bird species, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.

The camp offers a range of accommodation options, including camping, cottages, and treehouses. The camp is located on a hill overlooking the lake and provides a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. It is also involved in conservation efforts, working with the local community to protect the environment and promote sustainable tourism.

Dunga Hill Camp

Dunga Hill Camp is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The camp offers range of accommodation options, including camping, cottages, and treehouses.

In addition the camp offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and diversity of the western region of Kenya.

Most importanty it is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, offering a range of activities such as birdwatching, fishing, hiking, and cultural tours.

One of the main attractions of the camp is its treehouses, which are built on stilts and offer stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscape. Moreover the treehouses are equipped with basic amenities, such as a bed, a bathroom, and a small kitchenette. They also providing a unique and adventurous accommodation option for visitors.

Kiboko Bay

Kiboko Bay is known for its serene and tranquil environment, making it a perfect getaway from the city. It offers a range of accommodation options, including cottages, apartments, and camping sites. The cottages are equipped with modern amenities, including a kitchen, living room, and private balcony, making them a perfect home away from home.

Visitors can enjoy a range of activities at Kiboko Bay, including boat rides on the lake, birdwatching, and fishing.

Lwang’ni Beach kisumu

The beach is known for its beautiful sandy beach, calm waters, and stunning views of the lake.

Lwang’ni Beach offers visitors a range of activities, including swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing on the beach. The calm waters of the lake make it a perfect destination for swimming and water sports.

More over it is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic or a barbecue with family and friends, with several shaded areas and picnic tables available for use.

What to Prepare When Travelling to Kenya

Kenya Travel Highlights and Tips

Kenya travel highlights

Kenya, a country located in East Africa, is known for its diverse landscapes, wildlife, and vibrant culture. Here are some of the top highlights of traveling to Kenya:

Kenya Travel Highlights and Tips
Kenya Travel Highlights and Tips

  1. Kenya’s incredible wildlife, including the famous Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), is well-known. Visitors can go on safari drives through national parks such as the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Tsavo.
  2. Beaches: Kenya has some beautiful beaches along its coast, including Diani Beach and Watamu Beach. Visitors can enjoy water activities such as snorkeling, diving, and swimming.
  3. The Maasai people, who are an indigenous tribe in Kenya, actively maintain their distinctive dress, traditional music, and dance as part of their culture. Visitors can visit Maasai villages to learn more about their way of life.
  4. Mount Kenya: Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest peak in Africa. Visitors can go on guided hikes to explore the mountain’s scenic trails and take in breathtaking views.
  5. Lake Victoria: Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. Visitors can take boat tours to explore its islands and fishing villages.
  6. Nairobi: Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, is a bustling metropolis with a vibrant culture and history. Visitors can explore its museums, markets, and restaurants.
  7. Giraffe Centre: The Giraffe Centre in Nairobi is a conservation center for the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Visitors can interact with the giraffes and learn about conservation efforts.
  8. Hot Air Balloon Safaris: Visitors can experience the Maasai Mara from a different perspective by taking a hot air balloon ride over the savannah.
  9. The unique Swahili architecture and culture of Lamu Island have earned it the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can explore its narrow streets, mosques, and markets.
  10. Bird Watching: Kenya is a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 1,100 species of birds. Visitors can go on bird watching safaris in national parks and reserves such as Lake Nakuru and Samburu.

Kenya Travel Tips

  1. Visa and Passport: You will need a valid passport and a visa to enter Kenya. You can obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport or apply for one beforehand online. Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity remaining.
  2. Health: Make sure to check with your doctor about any vaccinations you may need before traveling to Kenya. Malaria is also prevalent in many areas, so consider taking prophylaxis medication and using mosquito repellent.
  3. Safety: Kenya is generally safe for tourists, but it’s always a good idea to take precautions like avoiding unlit and deserted areas at night, and keeping an eye on your belongings in crowded areas.
  4. Transportation: Matatus (minibuses) are the most common mode of public transportation in Kenya, but they can be overcrowded and unsafe. Taxis are widely available in major cities, and you can also hire a driver or take a private car. Domestic flights are also a popular option for getting around Kenya.
  5. Accommodation: Kenya has a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury lodges to budget hostels. When booking accommodation, make sure to research the area and read reviews before booking.
  6. Food and Drink: Kenyan cuisine is diverse and flavorful, with influences from Indian, Middle Eastern, and African cuisine. Some popular dishes include ugali (a cornmeal porridge), samosas, and nyama choma (grilled meat). Make sure to drink bottled water and avoid street food that may not be properly cooked or stored.
  7. Wildlife: Kenya is known for its wildlife, and going on a safari is a popular activity for tourists. When viewing wildlife, always listen to your guide and keep a safe distance from animals.
  8. Cultural Etiquette: Kenyan culture is diverse and rich, with many different tribes and languages. When visiting local communities, it’s important to respect their customs and traditions. Dress modestly, ask permission before taking photos, and learn a few words in Swahili to show your respect.

Ol Donyo Sabuk- Kenya

Forest

About Ol Donyo Sabuk

Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park additionally called Mt. Kilimambogo is a solitary mountain dotting outstanding wildlife.

It is located withinside the big plains of Donyo Sabuk metropolis inside Machakos County, Kenya. Ol Donyo Sabuk is a Maasai call that means huge mountain. Kilimambogo is derived from the Swahili and Bantu language which means Buffalo Mountain.

Animals

The park is domestic to extra than 200 buffalos which might be the dominant mammals in the park and different animals consist of mongoose, porcupines, bushbucks, baboons, and leopards.

Visitors may also discover the colobus monkey, vervet monkey, Sykes’ monkey, Kirk’s dik-dik, bush pig, not unusual place duiker, reedbuck, rock hyrax, bush baby, tree and floor squirrel, aardvark, porcupine, python and display lizard.

Birds

The park has over 45 chicken species that encompass each Forest chicken species, open savannah grassland, and wetland/waterbird species.

The maximum, not unusual place birds encompass African Hawk-eagle, sunbirds, distinct varieties of weavers, pied wagtail, mourning dove, Buzzard, and lots more.

How to get there

85km northeast of Nairobi. From Thika metropolis continue 22 km alongside the principal Garissa avenue to Makutano junction.

At Makutano comply with the KWS signal and flip proper, intending three km on an all-climate murram avenue to Donyo metropolis. At Donyo flip proper and continue a similar 2 km to the principal gate.

Best Time to Visit

The climate withinside the park is warm and dry. It is just a few months while there’s rain. January to March marks the driest season.

April to June is moist and warm while from July to October, it’s hot and dry. November to December is heat and moist. Activities like recreation watching, hiking, nature walks, and mountaineering are simpler withinside the dry season. However, all through the moist season comes the light and birds live withinside the park.

Nairobi National Park Travel Guide.

Nairobi National Park

About Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is a national park located in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. It was established in 1946 and covers an area of about 117 square kilometers. The park is also unique in that it is the only national park located within a city’s boundaries, hence making it a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.

The Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and many species of birds. Visitors to the park can enjoy game drives, guided nature walks, and picnic sites. There are also several well-maintained walking trails throughout the park, which allow visitors to explore the park on foot.

Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park

Attractions

Animal Orphanage

The Nairobi Animal Orphanage is a facility dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of orphaned and injured animals. It was established in 1964 by the Kenyan government and is now managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

The orphanage provides a home for a variety of wildlife species.These include lions, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards, monkeys, baboons, ostriches, and several bird species. These animals are often victims of human-wildlife conflicts, poaching, or other forms of human interference.

Birds

The Park is a haven birding safari destination in Kenya, where the park has over 500 bird species recorded, of which 20 are seasonal European migrants. Many bird species includes Abyssinian thrush, Corncrakes, Fischer’s lovebirds, Grey crowned crane, White-bellied bustard, White-headed vulture and many others.

Nairobi National park Wildlife

Nairobi National Park is home to 100 species of mammals including 39 lions and 90 rhinos, 40 different amphibians and reptiles. It has spectacular wildebeest and zebra migration, major predators in the park include lion, leopard, hyena and cheetah.

Nairobi National Park Wild life

Hippo Polls Walking Trails

Hiking trails in Nairobi National Park start at a picnic area and follow the banks of the Athi River. The route is patrolled by rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service . Concentrations of large herbivorous antelope, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest can be found in the Park. Ivory Burning Site Monument Hippo Walking Trails Nairobi Safari Walk and Orphanage.

Black Rhinos

The park is home to 50 endangered black rhinos, the densest population in the world. The park is also convenient and virtually guaranteed opportunity to spot eastern black rhinos, because only 700 remain after being decimated by poaching.

Kifaru Ark

Kifaru means Rhino in Swahili, it is one of the most successful rhino reserves in Kenya. The Ark purpose is to combat poaching in the park, and it is one of the few parks.

Nairobi National Park Entry Fees

Park Charges

Best time to visit

The best times to the Park are the dry months of July to October and January and February.

July has the lowest rainfall of any month of the year. Along with July, August is the driest month in Nairobi.

Leopard relaxing on a tree

How to get there

Nairobi National Park is 9 km south of Nairobi and usually visited as a half or full day trip from a hotel in the city.

International flights land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 15 km southeast of Nairobi.

Accommodations

The Park is located just a few kilometers outside of Nairobi’s central business district, plenty of accommodation options available in the city. Some of the nearby areas you might consider include Langata, Karen, and Mbagathi, which all have a range of lodges, hotels, and guesthouses available.

Some of the accommodation options close to the park include:

Nairobi Tented Camp –

Located just a few minutes’ drive from the park’s main gate and offers luxury tented accommodation with en suite bathrooms, hot showers, and flush toilets.

Ololo Safari Lodge –

Located in a private game reserve adjacent to the park and offers luxurious accommodation in thatched-roof cottages, each with its own private veranda and outdoor shower.

Emakoko –

Located on the banks of the Mbagathi River, just a short distance from the park’s main gate, and offers stylish and comfortable rooms with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.

The Boma Hotel –

This hotel is located in the Langata area, just a short drive from the park’s main gate. The Hotel offers comfortable spacious rooms, and well a range of amenities such as a swimming pool, restaurant, and fitness center.

Solio Ranch-Kenya

Solio Ranch

About Solio Ranch

Solio Ranch is a privately-owned wildlife conservancy located in Kenya, East Africa. The ranch covers an area of 45,000 acres and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered black and white rhino.

Solio Ranch was established in 1970 by Court Treatt, a British Army Officer who settled in Kenya after serving in World War II. In the early days, the ranch was primarily used for cattle farming, but Court soon realized that the land was better suited for wildlife conservation.

Today, Solio Ranch is one of the most successful private rhino breeding reserves in Kenya. The ranch is home to over 250 black and white rhinos, making it the largest rhino sanctuary in East Africa. In addition to rhinos, the ranch is home to a variety of other wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, buffalos, and over 100 species of birds.

Solio Ranch is also involved in a number of conservation and community projects. These include anti-poaching efforts, environmental education programs for local schools, and the provision of clean water and healthcare services to nearby communities.

Tourism is an important source of income for Solio Ranch, and visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including game drives, guided walks, and bird watching. The ranch has a number of lodges and campsites for visitors, as well as a restaurant and gift shop.

Attractions

Solio Ranch is greater a sanctuary than a sport reserve. The small belongings is definitely fenced for massive animals. Picnic under an acacia on Soloi. Black and white rhino had been added for breeding, and the concentrations of those animals are 2nd to none here. Other flora and fauna consists of zebra, giraffe and buffalo. Antelope species consist of the stately eland, beisa oryx, waterbuck and impala.

Best time for visit

Wildlife viewing at Solio Ranch is ideal any time of the year, however heavy rains can disrupt safari plans. The reserve closes in November.

How to reach there

Solio Ranch is located 180km/111mi from Nairobi, that’s about 3 hours’ journey through car. The simplest manner to get to Solio is to set up a constitution flight to the personal airstrip this is placed 10 mins from Solio Lodge.

It is likewise feasible to take a scheduled home flight from Nairobi to Nanyuki airstrip, accompanied through a 30-minute switch to Solio Lodge. Getting to Nairobi isn’t tough because the town serves because the main gateway to East Africa. International flights arrive in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 15km/9mi southeast of Nairobi.

Rate

YearSeasonTypeRates
202201 JANUARY – 05 JANUARY, 01 JUNE – 31 OCTOBER, 16 DECEMBER – 31 DECEMBERFamily CottageUS $ 1535
202201 JANUARY – 05 JANUARY, 01 JUNE – 31 OCTOBER, 16 DECEMBER – 31 DECEMBERRoomsUS $ 1150
202206 JANUARY – 31 MAY, 01 NOVEMBER – 15 DECEMBERFamily CottageUS $ 968
202206 JANUARY – 31 MAY, 01 NOVEMBER – 15 DECEMBERRoomsUS $ 845
202301 JANUARY – 05 JANUARY, 01 JUNE – 31 OCTOBER, 16 DECEMBER – 31 DECEMBERFamily CottageUS $ 1689
202301 JANUARY – 05 JANUARY, 01 JUNE – 31 OCTOBER, 16 DECEMBER – 31 DECEMBERRoomsUS $ 1265
202306 JANUARY – 31 MAY, 01 NOVEMBER – 15 DECEMBERFamily CottageUS $ 1065
202306 JANUARY – 31 MAY, 01 NOVEMBER – 15 DECEMBERRoomsUS $ 930