Kisumu city also known as port Florence during the colonial Era is the Kenya’s third largest city with third biggest metropolis. It is also the provincial headquarters of Nyanza province. So far Kisumu city has transformed from a mere fishing port to a throbbing business and tourism hub in the great lakes region. The expansion of Kisumu Airport to international facility has spurred Kisumu city in terms of hotel and accommodation industry, city excursions tours and travel. Kisumu city excursions and Bus tours in kisumu city include the Impala Sanctuary, Kisumu national museum and is also a heritage depositor besides its being a tourist attraction. Found in the neighborhood are places like Kit Mikayi stone, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum and museum and also the old Ramogi also not forgeting the Ndere Island National Park among others.
Kisumu City Sight Seeing Excursion is a short tour that lasts for upto a whole day and enables you see the attractions within Kisumu City. There are ethnographic exhibits and a display of dominant luo tribe musical instruments and their traditional culture. Kisumu Museum is considered by many to be one of Kenya’s finest collections of the artifacts. You will then be driven to Impala Park a game sanctuary and animal orphanage and home to the rare Sitatunga antelope.
The Kisumu Impala Wildlife Sanctuary was opened in 1992 with the intention of protecting a herd of impala and serve as a safe grazing ground for hippopotamus from the lakes. Spread over an area of less than 1sq km, this wildlife sanctuary acts a holding point for problem animals like baboons, hyenas and leopards which can be seen at a close range.
You will then drive for lunch at Kiboko Bay Resort followed by a boat ride to get a firsthand experience of the second largest fresh water lake in the world – Lake Victoria. Proceed to Dunga fishing village where you will encounter the local fishermen and fishmongers. You will get to interact with the fishermen to learn the secrets of their trade which is their lifeline for sustainability. The fish business has also contributed largely to the escalating of the HIV/AIDS pandemic apart from being a source of income. After this adventure, you will be driven to your hotel or accommodation to end this city excursion tour.
This city short excursion safari from Kisumu after breakfast by road to reach Kenya’s most dramatic archaeological site, a vast granite rock tower called Kit Mikayi. Kit Mikayi is situated in Kisumu district, Maseno division, East – Seme – location, Kit – Mikayi sub-location, Kangeso village, Kadol clan. The rock which is about 70 to 80 ft tall is located 30kms Far East of Kisumu city and 1km from Kisumu Bondo road. The sign board is on the gate of Kit Mikayi primary school then you enter through N’gop-Ngeso primary school.
During this Bus tour from Kisumu we get to learn more about the legendary story behind Kit Mikayi which in Luo dialect means “the stone of the first wife” is that: Long time ago, there was an old man by the name Ngeso who was in great love with the stone. Everyday he wakes up in the morning, he could walk into the cave inside the stone and stay there the whole day, and this could force his wife to bring him breakfast and lunch everyday. The old man became passionately in love with this stone to the extent that people ask the wife his whereabouts, she could answer that he has gone to his first wife (Mikayi) hence the stone of the first wife (Kit Mikayi). More further explanation about this unique stone is that according to its feature and components, the structure represents the Luo cultural polygamous family which had the first wife’s house (Mikayi) built further in between on the right hand side was the second wife’s house (Nyachira) while the third wife’s house (Reru) was built on the left hand side of the homestead. Kit Mikayi is also seen to have a nuclear family whereby the father (Ngeso) being the middle stone followed by the bulky Mikayi (first wife), then Nyachira (second wife) followed by Reru (third wife) and further in front they have the child which is representing Simba (which is the house for the first born boy in the homestead). From a long time, this stone has been a sacred place for the villagers to worship during the trying moment. You will then be driven through the villages before departing to Kisumu to end your short Excursion safari.
Depart from Kisumu to Kaloka beach to connect your boat to Ndere Island. It is only 4.2sq kms an Island just off the northern shores of Lake Victoria, opened in November 1986. Ndere means ‘Meeting Place’ in the dialect of the local Luo tribe. According to Luo folklore, Mikayi - the mother of the tribe, rested up near Ndere after her long journey South Down the Nile Valley. She found thelush shoreline so pleasing that she and her people stayed.
Ndere Island is home to a variety of birds including Fish Eagles and a dense population of Swifts. Hippos and Crocodiles, including the lesser known Spotted Crocodiles, are a familiar sight. Impalas have been introduced to the woodland which fringes the shores. Attractions include hiking, walking, optional traditional fishing, and optional boat safaris at a cost. You will enjoy your picnic lunches before your transfer by boat to Kaloka where you will be transferred further to Kisumu by your driver to end this excursion.
Depart Kisumu after breakfast with packed lunches by road to the mythological village of Simbi. The folklore Connotation is: One day the chief of the village of Simbi in Kakseru Rachuonyo District decided to throw a big party in this tranquil and prosperous village of Simbi as they had just experienced a bountiful harvest. An old Woman appeared in the village when the celebrations were going on but was chased away by the chief and his friends. However, one of the wives of one of the mebers welcomed her with food and shelter. In the morning she advised the lady to leave with her children as there was going to be heavy rain which was going to sink the village. After leving the Village, her predictions came to pass and everybody died.
The tour will also extend to Otok swamp which hosts the Flamingos from Lake Nakuru and Simbi Nyaima. The presence of the white Flamingos makes OTOK Village one of the many Tourism sites in the County. The Birds flock together in pattern and produce a rhythmic buzzing sound as one move too close to them. They get uncomfortable whenever someone moves too close. The Birds spend most of the day at the Swamp and fly back to Lake Simbi when dusk approaches and return to the Swamp the following day. We drive back to Kisumu in the evening to end our full day Excursion.
Depart Kisumu by road after breakfast with your packed lunches to Kogello Village also known as Nyang’oma. Kogello is a rural village in Alego - Siaya County District, Nyanza Province, Kenya to begin your short bus tour to Kogello. It is located near the equator, 40 kilometers west-northwest of Kisumu City, and the provincial capital. Kisumu – Busia road leads to Kogello branching left at Kisian Junction on Kisumu – Bondo road, we drive passing through Seme from where you can see the famous historical Kit Mikayi rocks from a distance. Driving past Ndori towards Siaya County to Kogello-Nyangoma Village you arrive at the Kogelo Dispensary on your right. After a visit of the dispensary proceed to the Kogelo market, Kogelo primary school and Senator Barack Obama Secondary School. You will then enter Sarah Obama’s home behind the Secondary school. Kogelo is the ancestral home of Barack Obama, Sr., the father of current United States President-elect Barack Obama. Barack Obama, Sr. is buried in the village. Some of their family members, including his paternal grandmother Mama Sarah Anyango Obama, still live in the home. In Mama Sarah Obama’s home; you will find both the graves of Barack Obama Sr. and his father’s. You will also find in the homestead Sarah’s house, the security tents, visit the vegetable garden, the cattle Boma and sit under the big mango trees where Sarah usually have interviews with visitors. Picnic lunch at your convenient time.
{Barack Obama´s first visit to Kenya was a private affair. He was met at the JKIA airport by his step-sister Auma. He slept on a couch in his sister’s house in Nairobi. The journey to Kogello (K’Ogello) was by train to Kisumu and then by matatu from Kisumu to K’ogello where he shared space with other travelers with lots of luggage including live chickens. Sometimes tired parents on the journey from Kisumu to K´Ogello would place babies on his lap. This trip was an eye opener to this son of four continents. (Remember born in USA, early childhood in Asia, an African father and Western Education). He found his late father´s home and experienced the community warmth enjoyed by the people of Kenya. On arrival he was met by his immediate family. This was a complete contrast to his second visit as a senator.} After the visit, you will embark on a return journey to Kisumu arriving in the evening to end short excursion tour.
