Kisumu is Kenya’s third largest town and provides a natural base for touring the region. The provincial capital of Nyanza town, Kisumu was originally known as Port Florence and came into existence when the railway from Mombasa reached there in 1901. The inhabitants of the province include the Luo, Kuria, Gusii and Suba. These communities have very interesting cultures and traditions. Their main economic activities are fishing and agriculture.

Location and climate:

Kisumu is 350 kilometres north of Nairobi on the shores of Lake Victoria. 

• By road: Kisumu is 350 km from Nairobi, 53 km from Kakamega, 83 km from Kericho, 121 km from Kisii and 142 km from Homa Bay.
• By air: the trip by air to Nairobi takes around one hour and there are regular flights operated by Kenya Airways. 
• By water: Kisumu is linked by ferry with Kendu Bay, Homa Bay and Mbita (as well as to neighbouring countries).
• Climate: hot and humid all year round. 

Interests:

The most popular items and souvenirs to buy in Kisumu are Kisii soapstone carvings and sculptors, curios, straw fihermen hats and papyrus reed mats. The close proximity to the Lake Victoria makes fishing a popular sport in the area. There is also a good golf club by the lake.

There are cafeterias, hotels, clubs and restaurants that offer a variety of local and international cuisines with the most popular dish being fish with ugali (a meal cooked using maize flour). Chewing sugarcane is also a favorite pastime but beginners need to first practice to get the feel of it as it can braise the tongue!

Visitors can also enjoy Benga which in the Luo language means 'something beautiful'. It is a high-energetic music with a pulsating beat, great bass lines and luscious interlocking guitar riffs.

Attractions include: 

Lake Victoria: South-west of Kisumu, lying in the waters of Lake Victoria, are the islands of Rusinga (where Mary Leakey discovered the skull of Proconsul Africanus, a primitive anthropoid ape that lived on Rusinga three million years ago) and Mfangano (a centre of pre-history famous for its rock art).

Hippo Point: Just outside Kisumu is this exceptional vantage point for viewing hippo and is known for it's beautiful sunsets. Also near Kisumu town you can spot plenty of large birds that nest and breed between March and July.

Kisumu Museum: Opened in 1980, the Museum exhibit's include a fresh 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: This is an animal orphanage that where the rare sitatunga antelope is found.

Kibuye Market: 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.

A short distance to the north of Kisumu is the famous Kakamega Forest Reserve, a unique patch of lowland rainforest renowned for its abundant wildlife. 

And travelling further north, but still within easy reach, are the contrasting wildernesses of the vast and rugged Mount Elgon National Park on the Ugandan border, famous for its bat-filled caves and salt-mining elephants, and Kenya’s smallest National Park, Saiwa Swamp, the sanctuary of the semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope. 

Ruma National Park: Here you will have a chance to see roan antelopes and jackson's hartebeest, a larger and redder species than coke's hartebeest which is found in most  parks in Kenya.

Ndere Island National Park: 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. A visit to the famous Kit Mikaye rock which is associated with several Luo legendary stories, will give you more insight to the Luo community.

Thim Lich Ohinga (Luo phrase meaning "the dense forest is frightening me"). This site is located in Migori District near Macalder mines. The main attraction is the dry stone enclosures that have no mortar, which were probably built around 500 years ago 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 Homa Bay.

Jaramogi Museum: Located at kang'oka 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 Odinga's briefcase, ceremonial hats and clothes he wore at various stages of his political life.

Kisii Town: This 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 which offer a view of the speeding water that has formed gullies in the area. One can also sample Ondago Swamp for birdlife. 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 flamigoes when they migrate from Lake Nakuru.