subject: Tourists Flight To Nyanza National Parks & Game Reserves In Kenya [print this page] Tourists Flight To Nyanza National Parks & Game Reserves In Kenya
Nyanza is home to Lake Victoria, the world's second largest freshwater lake, and is known for fish eating. The province is located on the south-western part of Kenya, bordering Uganda. The provincial capital of Nyanza is Kisumu city, which is also the third largest city in Kenya.Kisumu, was originally known as Port Florence and came into existence when the railway from Mombasa reached there in 1901.
Kisumu was elevated to city status in December 2001.Major towns in Nyanza are Kisii, Siaya, and Homa Bay. The inhabitants of the province include the Luo, the Kuria, Gusii, and Suba.These communities have very interesting cultures and traditions. The main economic activities in Nyanza are fishing and agriculture. The most popular items and souvenirs to buy are Kisii soapstone carvings and sculptors, curious, straw fishermen hats and papyrus reed mats.
The close proximity to the lake makes fishing a popular sport in this area, and also places around Lake Victoria .There is also a good golf club by the lake off Kisumu/Busia Road.
You can also enjoy Benga, which in the Lou means something beautiful.' It is a high-energy music with a pulsing beat, great bass lines, and luscious interlocking guitar riffs.
Kisumu is approximately 350 km from Nairobi by road, passing through Nakuru and Kericho.Major bus companies ply this route on a regular daily basis during the day and also at night .Kisumu is also served by air transport, and there are regular flights to Kisumu Airport from Nairobi and Mombasa. There is also a train service operating from Nairobi and Mombasa. You can also take a private charter using helicopter or a fixed wing aircraft from Nanyuki, Wilson, Jomo Kenyatta, Moi International, Eldoret, Malindi and Lamu.Recently direct flights from Kisumu Airport were launched to Mwanza in Tanzania.
In Nyanza, you will find a large variety of good hotels, guesthouses and lodges offering competitive rates and excellent accommodation.
There are cafeterias, hotesl, clubs and restaurants that offer a variety of local and international dishes. The most common dish is fish, ugali meal cooked using maize flour) and even nyama choma.In Kisumu, you will find various sports bars with some offering a good view of Lake Victoria. Chewing sugarcane is a favourite pastime, but beginners need to first practice to get the feel of it as it can braise the tongue.
Lake Victoria is about the size of Ireland covering an expansive 67,850 sq km and forming a natural boundary between the three East Africa countries of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Kenya's share is the smallest at about 3,785 sq km .The lake also the source of the River Nile and boasts of sandy beaches and many small islands.
Hippo Point, just outside Kisumu is an exceptional vantage point for viewing hippos, and is known for its beautiful sunsets. Also near Kisumu town you can spot plenty of large water birds that nest and breed between March and July.
Kisumu Museum opened in 1980, is off the road from Nairobi. The museums exhibits include a fresh water aquarium, an outdoor snake park, tortoise pens that house the 300 year old tortoise imported from the Seychelles in 1930, and the culture of the local people. One of the main attractions is the traditional Luo homestead complete with livestock pens and a granary. The Kisumu Impala Sanctuary is an animal orphanage where the rare sitatunga antelope is found.
Kibuye Market is one of the busiest and largest markets of Kenya. Here you can see, breathe and experience the day-to-day life of the people of Nyanza.
Ndere Island National Park is just a short distance from Kit Mikaye. The park is just off the northern shore of Lake Victoria and is home to the lesser known spotted crocodiles, monitor lizards, birds and water antelopes. Avisit to the famous Kit Mikay rock will give you insight to the Luo community. The rock is associated with several Luo legendary stories.
Rusinga Island hosts the mausoleum of the late Tom Mboya, a Kenya nationalist leader who was assassinated in Nairobi in 1969. There are also plans to develop a Mary Leakey Archaeological Site. The island also has a club built on the beach, with several activities like fishing, sightseeing and water skiing.
Mfangano & Takawiri Islands have fishing camps that offer several activities. The MBASA and NAMOLO Islands, a few metres apart, have many bird species including egrets and the fish eagles. There are also many monitor lizards, wild goats and sheep.
Ruma National Park, formally known as the Lambwe Valley National Reserve, was established in 1966. At Ruma, you will have a chance to see roan antelope and Jacksons hartebeest which is found in most parks in Kenya.
Thim Lich Ohinga is a Luo phrase meaning," the dense forest is frightening me." The site is located in Migori District near Macalder mines. The main attraction here is the dry stone enclosures that have no mortar, which were probably built around 500 years ago most probably for security reasons.
At Sidi Crater Lake, you can catch flamingos foraging through a surface of emerald algae. Sidi is located halfway between Kisumu and Homabay
Jaramogi Museum is located at Kang'o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, the home of the Late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga who was Kenya's first vice president. The mausoleum was built above Odinga's grave. On display are Odingas briefcase, ceremonial hats and clothes he wore at various stages of his political life.
Kisii Town is home to the Kisii soapstone. Visit Tabaka where most of the Kenyan soapstone is extracted and later sit back and enjoy some fresh pineapples and bananas.
Odino Falls offers a view of the speeding water that has formed guillies in the area. One can also sample Ondago Swamp for bird life. Close by you will find Awach Self Help Women group, a project initiated by the local women for weaving and pottery. There is also Lake Simbi, the salty lake that hosts the flamingoes when they migrate from Lake Nakuru.
