9 Inspirational Places And Sites To Visit In Kisumu City And Its Environs.
Nothing beats waking up to beautiful sunrise, sweetest bird melodies coupled with the soft whispers of waves rippling on a breathtakingly beautiful lake. camping by the lake, watching camp flame reflection caressing the still waters, that break into momental ripples caused by the gentle breeze is the peak of self actualization.
Boarding a boat and zooming across one of the largest lakes in Africa, traversing through three countries unapologetically, is the dream.
Kisumu sits on the shores of the Kenyan side of Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria, famously referred to as “The Pearl of Africa” is the largest tropical lake in the world and 2nd largest freshwater lake, second to Lake Superior of America. The largest parts of the lake are divided between Uganda and Tanzania at over forty percent each and Kenya gets six percent. The six percent is so vast and pristine, and it sparks the desire to know what lies in the 90 percent. That’s why Kisumu City is the home of inspiration.
Kisumu City is a home of adventures and here are some of those places you can visit to sharpen your thrill buds.
About Kisumu City
- Island trips
Lake Victoria hosts a good number of islands that are open to tourists and visitors. They are accessible by boat and the experience is usually a thrill. Let’s call it island hopping, just like one can do discotheques. These islands include, Rusinga Island, Mfangano Island, Ndere Island and Migingo Island. Rusinga Island Festival is one of the best experiences on the lake for culture explorers and lovers. Here there is a sponsored attempt to save an almost extinct indegineous lake tribe, Suba, through a cultural festival that happens every December just before Christmas. If you haven’t been to a boat Library, head to Kisumu City and extend to Rusinga this December.
The other islands are peaceful and extremely serene. One can take a boat and set camp, enjoy the quiet and peace, meditate and allow your spirit to hover over water. What else could be more inspirational?
2. City Night Tour
Kisumu City is a home of robust nightlife. The people here are full of life and fun is a culture. There are many nightclubs in the city and the music is beyond the planet. Here you get a mini Vegas experience with a touch of African live music bands, local cuisines and the best company.
3. Dunga Hill Camp
A thriller camping experience is up for grabs. You get a chance to hear the lake sing you a lullaby. The soft waves, the picturesque sunrise, dinner on the boat, just to mention but a few. Sport fishing and the frenzy boat rides are done here as well. Let’s test your brazenness here!
4. Kiboko Bay
This is the home of Hippos. The hippos are not commonly spotted but then the shores are something out of this wild. Here the best view of the lake, you can catch beautiful sunsets. This is a place for romantics.
5. Kisumu Museum
There is a lot of preserved wildlife, birds, fish species but what tops my list is the Luo people culture. The music. The instruments and the Ohangla Dancers. This is an experience you shouldn’t just read about if you are a culture enthusiast. The dances are pure Bliss and the people flow with immense pride in the moves. There is a beautiful set up of the Luo past existence informing their current pride. Don’t miss out on meeting eye to eye with Nyadhi, Style, as the locals call it.
6. Impala Sanctuary Park
Nature lovers have a nature trail in the company of the beautiful and graceful Impalas. This comes with other species like baboons and several birds but the Impalas are the best creatures to watch here. The fresh air from the created forest is both therapy and thought evoking. An artist would have a time of their life in this sanctuary and paint an entire untold story.
7. Kit Mikai
This is the stone of the first wife. It is a mythical place with a rich cultural embedment. It is believed that the stone, an 80 meters high Thor that weeps, was a woman scorned by the husband after he married a second wife. It is a symbol of the pain women suffer in polygamy.
Besides the sad existence, Kit Mikai offers the best view of Kisumu City. At the top of the Rock you can have the most photogenic view of the Lake and the City, watch a sunset and enjoy a romantic moment.
Afterall it is the stone of the First Wife…
8. Fish Joints
Have tasted fresh Tilapia from a freshwater lake? The savory sweetness of crispy fish can only be experienced in Kisumu City. There are a variety of other species like the Nile Perch and even the famous Lantern Fish commonly known as Omena or Daggaa. This can’t be put in writing, it’s best served hot in experience.
You can also go on a fishing spree on the lake.
9. Flea Markets
Kibuye is one of the biggest flea markets in East and Central Africa. If you are a lover of flipping prices for great things, you wouldn’t imagine the art work and souvenirs you are likely to carry home from Kisumu City. Here, the curious mind can experience the mind boggling bargaining spirit of Kenyans.
10. Rich Archeology
Still at Rusinga, there is a rich archaeological bed that is as old as thousands of years old. Many fossils were discovered and are reserved on this island. Besides the beautiful sunsets, history lovers and fossil enthusiasts would get the inspiration of seeing one of the earliest forms of man available in the whole world.
Conclusion
Kisumu City allows you a sneak peek into the vast waters of the famous Lake Victoria of Africa. It is a well developed city full of fun and beautiful experiences that could inspire you to do more, tour more and generally view the world from a different angle. I wouldn’t mind the possibilities of the city sparking the desire to just tour the whole 100 percent of the lake which could be a lifetime achievement!
Emily Khalayi Wekulo
REFERENCES
https://moafrikatours.com/lake-victoria/
https://kenyatalii.com/2019/12/05/rusinga-cultural-festival/?amp=1
https://www.thrillophilia.com/attractions/hippo-point
