Kisumu is the best place to be. The fun is palpable, the people are inviting, the to-dos are breathtaking, the weather is ever-ready, and the fantastic memories are permanent.
The land of big words and little disappointments is ready for you.
The city welcomes you all: the party lovers, the love birds, the explorers, the serious investors, the foreigners, and the doubters.
It throws unconditional love at everybody; you just need to receive it.
You can only understand the beauty of Kisumu once you visit.
What must I do while in Kisumu?
- Watch the beautiful sunset.
- Eat Kisumu’s Ngege(Tilapia).
- Go hiking and bike riding in the hills and forests.
- See some wild animals, bird watching, and enjoy the nightlife.
- Visit Lake Victoria islands and
- Take a day tour visiting the museum, flea and markets.
Where can I enjoy some good Fish(Ngege) in Kisumu?
Once you taste fish from Kisumu, there is no going back.
The taste slaps differently.
The best places to eat fresh and delicious fish are Dunga Beach, Kalongolongo, Ranalo and Kakwacha.
For comprehensive detail on where to enjoy local dishes, check out the best local restaurants in Kisumu.
Watching the Sunset
Nothing beats the mesmerising experience of sitting by the beach and watching the sun as it dips below the horizon.
Kisumu offers some of the best beach spots to watch the calming views of the deep orange sun setting.
They include Dunga Hill Camp, Hippopoint, Ndere Island and Dunga Beach.
Come to Kisumu with your loved ones and create memories that will last a lifetime.
The sunset photos are epic and wallpaper worthy. Of course, that depends on who takes the pictures 🙂
Hiking
Hiking is a fun activity that is mentally and physically beneficial to you.
Kisumu has some of the best, though little-known, places for hiking.
Where are the places I could go hiking in Kisumu?
Abindu Caves
Located in Nyahera, the little-known Abindu, meaning cave, has a wealth of history.
The cave is a holy shrine for the locals who believe it was the first dwelling place of God. There is mysterious writing on the inner walls of the cave that is used to justify the myth.
The hike to the cave from the main Nyahera- Daraja Mbili Road is refreshing, peaceful and super fun.
It is a great hiking choice for friends and family.
The locals charge a small fee (below KES 100) to help maintain the cave.
Maragoli Hills
Marogoli Hills is a fantastic place to feel nature at its best.
The breathtaking views of the surrounding environs and Lake victoria, plus the rugged terrain that pumps your adrenaline a notch higher, make the experience memorable.
Marogoli Hills is located at the border of Kisumu and Vihiga counties.
You can choose to make a sole visit or come with friends. The experience is equally good and worth the sweat.
There are campaigns to reforest the hills following many years of tree cutting that encouraged soil erosion in the area.
Heritage Sites
These sites will help you discover and learn the traditions, history and culture of the people of Kisumu. The sites can be historical, archaeological or cultural.
What are the heritage sites in Kisumu and its environs?
Kit Mikayi
Kit Mikayi, meaning the rock of the first wife in the Dholuo language, is a massive formation of rocks stacked on each other and around 20m high. The huge rocks lie comfortably on each other, forming a perfect art piece.
It is located 9 Km from Kisumu CBD, in Esat Seme Ward, along Kisumu-Bondo Highway.
Want to learn why it is called the first wife’s rock?
You’ll have to plan a trip and go in person.
The local guides will make the tour worthwhile as they share the legendary story of Kit Mikayi.
Climbing to the peak is tasking but fulfilling. It has the best sunset views.
Thimlich Oinga
Located around 163 km from Kisumu (around 3 hours by car) and 43 Km from Migori town, Thimlich is an excellent pick for a day trip while visiting the city.
The bumpy ride and treacherous road to Ohinga are well worth it after you experience the perfect design of the walls and hear the history behind them.
The Oinga walls, made purely of stones (1-3 metres in thickness and 1-4 m in height), are believed to have been constructed in the 16th century.
The wall has withstood the test of time and is still standing strong.
The little-known Thimlich Oinga is a well-preserved heritage site that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.
Victoria Islands
Islands are a place to go if you want a break from the busy and fast-paced city life.
It is the time to free up your mind and enjoy watching Lake Victoria as you go through that one book you’ve always wanted to read.
What are some of the best islands in lake victoria?
Ndere Islands
Ndere, meaning “meeting place” in Dholuo, is a beautiful island located around an hour (42 km) from Kisumu.
How do I get to Ndere islands?
You can use a private boat from Kisumu (it can be pricey - around KES 20,000) or drive to Kombewa, then a shorter boat ride to the island ( KES 2000).
The main attraction is Ndere National Park, thanks to the many species of birds, monkeys, hippos and crocodiles to watch.
The other attraction is the beautiful sunsets and sunrise views as you admire the surrounding hills and islands, and on clear days you can see Kampala, Uganda, on the horizon.
The island is inhabited, but you can stay in the nearby on-land hotels and board a boat to the island.
Fee Non-residents - $20 (around KES 2000)
Residents - $2 (around KES 200)
Rusinga Island
The amazing Rusing island, 10 miles long (10 km) and 3 miles wide (5 km) at its widest points, is a place of beauty, a perfect chill spot for a getaway.
It is located three hours from Kisumu city if you opt for the shortest route. It involves a drive to Luanda Kotieno along Kisan-Bondo Highway and then a ferry to Mbita.
The longer route involves driving to Mbita by road through Homabay.
The island is accessible from Mbita by a connecting bridge or boat.
The islands' main attractions are the serene views, delicious fresh fish, the rich history and culture of the people and the Tom Mboya Mausoleum.
Wildlife, Adventure and Bird Watching
Apart from the already mentioned Ndere National Park, you can visit several parks and forests while in Kisumu. They include Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Kakamega Forest National Reserve and Ruma National Park.
Kisumu Impala Santuary
Located on the shores of Lake Victoria and just ten minutes from the CBD, Impala is the place to visit if you want to view wildlife while still enjoying the benefits of being in the city.
It got its name because of the abundant number of Impala roaming the park.
The sanctuary has free-ranging animals like Impala, birds and monkeys and caged animals like Lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and Buffalo, just to mention a few.
There are well-labelled trails which are suitable for nature walks.
They have many picnic sites ideal for family outings and groups of friends.
They also have a camping site where you can pitch your tents and reconnect with nature.
Afterwards, you can take a boat ride to Dunga Beach to enjoy Kisumu’s staple.
Kakamega Forest National Reserve
Kakamega forest is about one hour from Kisumu by road.
It is the best place for bird watching and hiking. The forest is vast, stretching for hundreds of kilometres.
It is also home to various varieties of monkeys, hedgehogs, wild pigs, snakes and indigenous trees.- the only tropical rainforest in Kenya.
The forest has 367 recorded bird species hence the allure for bird watchers and photographers.
Avid bird watchers should carry binoculars to enjoy the full experience.
Chances of getting lost are high; therefore, ensure you have a knowledgeable local guide.
Non-residents: KES 3000
Residents: KES 300
Ruma National Park
It is the only place in Kenya you can find Roan Antelope.
It is located in Lambwe Valley, Homabay, three hours from Kisumu.
Ruma is also a great candidate for a day trip.
You can visit the park all year round, but the best times are the dry seasons when the animals come out of hiding seeking food and water.
The animals in the park include Rhinos, HeartBeests, Giraffes, Zebras, etc.
Kisumu City Tour
Another exciting adventure that you should do while in Kisumu is to take a tour of the city.
The city has many fun activities that many people are unaware of.
What are some of these activities?
- Visiting the museum
- The art market tour
- The Flea markets tour
Did you know that there are buildings in the CBD that are 100 years old and are still standing strong?
How about the history of the Kenyan Indian community, majorly found in Kisumu?
Visit Kisumu Museum
Learn the history of Kisumu: How it grew from a simple market to becoming a significant town following the completion of the Nairobi-Kisumu Railway in 1901.
The Kisumu Museum was opened in 1980 within Milimani Estate, close to the Kisumu-Narobi/Kericho Highway.
Its exhibits include:
- Fish Aquarium.
-Snake Park.
-Cultural history of western Kenya.
- Luo traditional homestead.
The entrance fee for residents is KES 100 and KES 500 for Non-residents.
Art Markets
Kisumu has some of the country's best and most diverse art designers. From chairs made of reeds to locally designed shoes and sandals, including the famous Akala- sandals made from a car tire.
The open-air art markets feature vendors selling handmade arts, Jewelry, textiles, bowls and other attractive crafts, attracting local and foreign tourists.
Where are the art markets located?
- Maasai Market- Kisumu. - It's along Omino Cres Rd, Kisumu town, and can also be accessed from the Kisumu -Nairobi Highway.
- The parking lot at the West End Mall.
- At the entrance of Mega City Mall.
Flea and Open Air Markets
Do you want to see/sample traditional and authentic food in Kisumu? Consider the open-air markets in Kisumu.
The sellers, majorly women, sell organic food direct from the Shamba(farm).
Some of the famous open-air markets include:
- Jubilee Market
- Kibuye Markey - It's one of the biggest open-air markets in Kenya, and it's popular on weekends, mostly on Sundays. It's also a great place to get your groceries, Jua Kali artefacts, second-hand items, furniture and other products.
It's located along Kisumu -Kakamenga Highway.