Best Attractions and Recreational Places to Visit in Kisumu, Nyanza

In case you didn't know, Kisumu is the third largest city in Kenya and forms part of the vibrant western Kenya & Nyanza tourist circuit. The lakeside city has a fair share of the best tourist attractions in Kenya. There are many fascinating places and things to do in the port city.

The area surrounding Kisumu is a tourist destination with a great geographic and cultural diversity that can pull the heart of a travel enthusiast or a seasoned holidaymaker. See the best tourist attractions and recreational places in Kisumu.

In a Nut Shell, the Best Attractions and Places to Visit in Kisumu, Nyanza, Kenya

• Kibuye and Oile Markets
• The City’s Nightlife
• Planet Media Cinemas
• Hippo Point
• Dunga Hill Camp
• Kiboko Bay
• Impala Sanctuary
• Kit Mikayi
• Kisumu Museum

10. Bike Rides—One of the Top Kisumu Attractions

The region's terrain is excellent for cycling. Visitors and even residents make use of bike rides to explore and tour the city and surrounds. A good number of them take the rides as good means for exercising and working out. In addition to the bikes, there are tuk-tuks or bodabodas which offer more enjoyable rides.

There are a number of bicycle dealers who offer bikes at affordable rates, so you will not lack a good bike to explore the expansive Lake Victoria and other places of interest in Kisumu.

9. Kibuye and Oile Markets

Kibuye and Oile are some of the most popular markets in the western Kenya. They are great places to see hawkers madly competing to sell their items. The open air markets offer a lot of products, including artifacts, fresh fruits & vegetables and clothing.

When visiting these flea markets, you will have an opportunity to buy food, clothes & decor items at affordable prices and also interact with the local residents.

8. The City’s Nightlife

With many nightclubs, bars, pubs and discotheques, Kisumu City offers vibrant nightlife and recreational moments to all its visitors and residents.

You will be entertained by live bands and dance shows which take place in the entertainment joints and outdoor parks. When visiting the lakeside city for leisure, you will fulfill your entertainment desires, spice up your moments and kill boredom.

7. Planet Media Cinemas

Watching movies in the city has never been so entertaining with Planet Media. The movie theatre house brings the best of Hollywood and Bollywood collections to movie enthusiasts in the city.

Together with Starflix, Planet Media gives their customers the modern movie experience through digital film screening and comfortable cinema settings.

6. Hippo Point

Located to the south west of the Kisumu CBD on the shores of Lake Victoria, Hippo Point is a viewing spot for stunning sunsets, breathtaking hippos and beautiful birds.

The 600-acre piece of land is also a popular fishing and camping site. If you want to avoid the city’s hustle for a while, you can choose Hippo Point as your destination.

5. Dunga Hill Camp

Situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, Dunga Hill Camp is a serene spot that's perfect for camping and picnic adventures. The leisure destination is also a perfect place for performing recreational water activities such as kayaking and fishing.

If you are not interested in these activities, you can decide to enjoy a beautiful scenery and a variety of wildlife as you watch a spectacular sunset.

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4. Kiboko Bay

Kiboko Bay is also located on the shores of Lake Victoria, and is a friendly place with natural attractions.

The peaceful site is ideal for leisure and business activities. Its amazing charm attracts many lovemakers from across the country. There is a lot you can explore in Kiboko Bay, including mangrove forests and wetlands.

3. Kisumu Impala Sanctuary

The impala sanctuary was established to protect impalas which are highly threatened by poaching. The 38-ha wildlife reserve is also home to hippos and zebras.

With a number of quiet and safe sites, the sanctuary offers excellent venues for corporate events and weddings. It is also a preferred destination for other leisure and recreational activities, such as walking and sightseeing.

2. Kit Mikayi

Popularly known as a "Weeping Rock", Kit Mikayi is a large rock located to the west of the city. The 70-ft high rock allows visitors to watch the spectacular views of the surrounding areas, including the city, Lake Victoria and Kisumu International Airport.

There are many myths surrouding the rock and all can be told by the area residents. The place is an ultimate getaway in Nyanza and western Kenya regions.

1. Kisumu Museum—Top Best Place to Visit in Kisumu County

Kisumu Museum is the best tourist attraction in Kisumu City, and carries the history and culture of the people of western Kenya. From traditional clothing and agricultural tools to fishing equipment and hunting weapons, the museum is home to a wide range of artifacts and crafts from the old days.

It features a number of pavilions, some with live animals and others with stuffed animals. The most popular animals found in the UNESCO-sponsored museum are fish and snakes.

Conclusion

Kisumu is the best place to enjoy something a bit different from other tourist destinations in Kenya. Get amazed by the culture of the people living in the area, and enjoy a lakeside climate. If you are planning to tour the city, take your time to visit these best places and you will never be disappointed.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2015 Frederick S Januaries

Comments

Frederick S Januaries (author) from Intercontinental on December 05, 2016:

Thanks Deborah. Happy to hear it's helping you!

Deborah on December 05, 2016:

thanks for sharing this useful infomation , we are using it to plan our retreat to kisum in jan

blessings