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Tourist Places to Visit in Lake Baringo, Kenya, Africa

Tourist Places to Visit in Lake Baringo, Kenya, Africa

Lake Baringo is a spectacular lake lying between Kerio Valley National Park and Ol Ari Nyiro Conservancy, in the western part of Kenya. It holds a surface area of 130 square kilometers while its elevation measures around 970 metres. It houses an average population of 470 species of birds and also gets migrating flamingos occasionally. The lake is also home to seven fresh water fish species, including endemic Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis. Lake Baringo is surrounded by Tugen Hills towards the west and the Laikipia Escarpment to the east.

Marigat is the major town situated near the Lake Baringo. The geographical coordinates of Lake Baringo are 0°38′ N 36°05′ E. the Lake Baringo is located about 270 km northwest of the national capital, Nairobi.

How to reach Lake Baringo?

Compared to Nakuru Airport, the Eldoret Airport is the closest airport to Lake Baringo, situated not more than 100 km while Nakuru Airport is situated around 125 km away from the shore of Lake Baringo. Both of these airports receive scheduled flights from the national capital, Nairobi.

After getting down at any of the airport, visitors are advised to choose airport taxi or rental car to get Lake Baringo because buses are not much safer.

Shopping and Food at Lake Baringo:

Marigat is the main town near Lake Baringo, where visitors can find many shops with all daily usable items and food at restaurants in the town. For more options, visitors can head towards nearby city Eldoret, which has many large shopping centres and modern food corners.

Things to do in Lake Baringo:

Hiking
Boating
Day tours

What to see in Lake Baringo?

Tugen Hills:

The Tugen Hills is situated to the west of the Lake Baringo, featuring volcanic and metamorphic rocks that bring tourists, especially adventure sport lovers during dry months.

Ol Kokwe Island:

Ol Kokwe Island is the largest of among many small islands in Lake Baringo. This island is mainly noted for hot springs and fumaroles with medicinal properties.

The Kerio Valley National Reserve:

Located to the west of Lake Baringo, the Kerio Valley National Reserve is featured with many winsome points, including the Lake Kamnarok with abundant water plants. The reserve covers a total area of 66 square kilometers and as established in1983.

Mau Escarpment:

The Mau Escarpment or Mau Hills is situated around 3000 meters above sea level, in the vicinity of Lake Baringo. This nature point is ideal for those who have interest in hiking. It can be explored best through a guided tour.

Other tourist attractions near Lake Baringo are as follows:

Lake Kamnarok
Cherangani Hills
Rimoi Game Reserve
Baboons & Vervits
Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy
Selenkay Conservancy
Lake Oloidien
Lake Turkana
Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
Masai Mara National Reserve
Amboseli National Park
Crescent Island Game Park
Observation Hill
Shaba National Reserve
Ol Kinyei Conservancy

Best time to visit Lake Baringo:

To thoroughly have eye-catching scenery and to experience different water sports activities, visitors can choose the beginning months of the year to visit Lake Baringo in Kenya.

Accommodation options in Lake Baringo:

It is difficult to find hotels near Lake Baringo but one can find it in nearby Eldoret city, where plenty of upgraded accommodation centres, including hotels, BB and inns and lodges with a wide range of amenities. The prominent hotels in Eldoret (around 100 km from Lake Baringo) are as follows:

Ndupawa Guest House
Salient Guest House
Watercrest Gardens
Hotel Comfy
Hotel Horizon
Relax Inn
Sirikwa Hotel
Natalie’s Resort
The Noble Conference Centre
Pine Tree Gardens
Cicada Hotel
Gracemont Guest House
The Klique Hotel
Eldo Bliss Hotel
Boma Inn Eldoret

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Kiwayu, Lamu Archipelago, Kenya, Africa

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Kiwayu, Lamu Archipelago, Kenya, Africa

Kiwayu, also spelled Kiwayuu, is an island belonging to the Lamu Archipelago, coming under the Kiunga Marine National Reserve in Kenya. It is also noted as a tourist destination, housing the tidal pools and snorkeling pools that are situated on the eastern part of Kiwayu. There is a school and an airport with schedule flights from Lamu and Nairobi. Kiwayu is geographically positioned between 2°00′20.81″ S latitude and 41°16′33.95″ E longitude and around 280 miles southeast of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya and around 30 miles north of Lamu Island.

How to reach Kiwayu?

Kiwayu houses an airport with connection from the national capital, Nairobi and Lamu, served by Safarilink.

Kiwayu is reached from Lamu Island by a motor boat, which takes around 2 hours while by dhow, takes around 7 hours.

Kiwayu is a small island, which can be explored by walk and for easy exploration, visitors can take help of natives as they are keen to help visitors.

Shopping and Food in Kiwayu:

There are shops and restaurants limited in number in Kiwayu, so would be better if one bring daily usable items and other necessities before leaving the mainland Kenya and lso one can reach nearby Lamu Island.

Things to do in Kiwayu:

Beach exploration
Snorkeling
Diving

Tourist Attractions in Kiwayu:

Kiunga Marine National Reserve:

The Kiunga Marine National Reserve is spread over an area of 270 square kilometers, covering around 50 islands and coral reefs including Kiwayu Island. The reserve holds many spectacular beaches, tidal pools and diving spots that are well catered by both modern and traditional restaurants.

Lamu Island:

To the southwest of Kiwayu Island, the Lamu Island is an island with many interesting features like Friday Mosque in the village of Shela, Lamu Museum, Siyu Fort and Lamu Old Town. Lamu Island is located around 30 miles away from Kiwayu, connected by dhow and motor boat.

Dodori National Reserve:

The Dodori National Reserve is situated in Lamu East District, towards the northwest of Kiwayu Island. It is made up of mix of woodland and forest area, covering a total of 877 km². Other than adventure sport lovers, the park is also famous among tourists who are fond of nature.

Kiwayu Airport:

The Kiwayu Airport is small, modern and well constructed airport, located around 21 feet (6.4 m) above sea level. It is one of the major landmarks as well as tourist attractions in Kiwayu Island.

Other attractive places in Kiwayu include:

Watamu Beach
Marafa-Hells Kitchen
Mida Creek Reserve
Tsavo East
Bio-Ken Snake Farm
Haller Park
Diani Beach
Watamu National Marine Park
Spiaggia delle Tartarughe
Watamu Turtle Watch
Mzima Springs
Mombasa Marine National Park
Vipingo Ridge
Roaring Rocks
Fort Jesus Museum

When to travel Kiwayu?

Probably from December to February and July to September is the ideal time to travel Kiwayu as when the weather remains dry and supportive for beach exploration.

Where to stay in Kiwayu?

Kiwayu Safari Village beach resort is a common option for accommodation for all types of travelers visiting the Kiwayu Island. It features 18 cottages with all basic and modern facilities like bedrooms, showers, flushing toilets, dining room and bar. It can be booked through online through travel agents, which is also a recommended option as resort gets fuller during peak season. Here is the list of some standard hotels in Kiwayu and nearby Lamu Island (around 30 km):

Mikes Camp
Peponi Hotel
The Majlis Hotel
Kijani Hotel Lamu
Baytil Ajaib
Jannat House
The Red Pepper House
Lamu Palace Hotel
Sunsail Hotel
Petey’s Island
Bahari Hotel
Fatuma’s Tower
Lamu House Hotel
Mkoko House
Subira House

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Kitale, Trans-Nzoia, Kenya, Africa

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Kitale, Trans-Nzoia, Kenya, Africa

Kitale is a town and the seat of Trans-Nzoia County in the western part of Kenya, lying around 1,900 metres above sea level. Positioned amidst of the Mount Elgon and the Cherangani Hills, Kitale coordinates with 1°01′ N latitude and 35°00′ E longitude. Kitale is basically an agricultural town, known for the productions of tea, coffee, Pyrethrum, maize and sunflower. Kitale is famous among visitors as home to the recognized the National Museum of Western Kenya and its nearness with the Saiwa Swamp National Park.

Kitale is also noted as a prominent educational town in western Kenya as it houses many reputed institutions like the St. Anthony’s Boys High School, St. Brigid’s Girls High School and St Anthony’s Boys High School.

History of Kitale:

A small village Kitale was promoted as a town in the year 1908 during the British rule when it received the Uganda Railway line from Eldoret. Current the town holds a thriving economy, served by agricultural activities, manufacturing and service industries.

How to reach Kitale?

Kitale hosts an airport but flights are only seasonal, from Lodwar and Nairobi, served by Fly540. Better if one can reach the Eldoret International Airport from Nairobi and then take bus or taxi from the airport to Kitale.

Kitale is located around 70 km northwest of Eldoret and 390 km northwest of Nairobi.

Public buses, tuk tuk, matatus and bicycle-chauffered travelling option, Bodaboda are used for local travel in Kitale.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Kitale:

Kitale is a colorful town with people belonging to different communities with their own dialect and food habit, which can be seen at the National Museum of Western Kenya in Kitale.

Kitale is famous for the shopping of agro products and eateries prepared by those well.

Things to do in Kitale:

Visiting museums
Hiking
Village tours

Places of interest in Kitale:

National Museum of Western Kenya:

The National Museum of Western Kenya is one of the major landmarks as well as tourist attractions of Kitale. Established in 1926 by Lt Col. Hugh Stoneham, it is a natural history museum, holding a great collection of ethnographical materials in addition to personal collections of Stoneham.

Saiwa Swamp National Park:

The Saiwa Swamp National Park is the Kenya’s smallest national park, occupying an area of 3 km². Established in 1974, situated in the proximity of Kitale city, the park is especially noted for the population of rare aquatic antelope, Sitatunga.

Kapcherop Forest:

Situated around 35 km northwest of Kitale, the Kapcherop Forest is spread over an area of around twenty square kilometers with rich dense vegetation, typical local bird and animal species. It can be explored best through a guided tour.

Mount Elgon National Park:

Shared between Kenya and Uganda, the Mount Elgon National Park sprawls over a total area of 1279 km sq. km, in which the Kenyan part occupies 169 km². Apart from housing a wide range of animal and bird species, the park is a focal point of tourists for caves, waterfalls, hot springs and cliffs.

List of other places of interest in and around Kitale includes:

Treasures of Africa Museum
Kitale Nature Conservancy
Ol Kinyei Conservancy
Amboseli National Park
Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy
Selenkay Conservancy
Observation Hill
Lake Nakuru
Crescent Island Game Park
Lake Turkana
Shaba National Reserve
Kerio Valley National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
Mara Triangle

Best time to visit Kitale:

Generally the first three months of the year are ideal to travel Kitale in Kenya while the weather will be supportive for outdoor activities.

Accommodation options in Kitale:

Holding many natural tourist attractions, Kitale houses many upgraded hotels to serve visitors, especially nature lovers visiting the town yea round and also the most hotels in Kitale offer advance booking facility through online for visitors’ convenience. List of the prominent hotels in Kitale include:

Skynest County Hotel
Iroko Hotels
Mid-Africa Hotel
The Barnleys Guest House
Sitatunga House
Chorlim Wildlife Sanctuary Mount Elgon
Barnley’s House
Mount Elgon Lodge
Karibuni Lodge
Muremba Retreat Kitale
The Noble Conference Centre
Pine Tree Gardens
Cicada Hotel
Eldo Bliss Hotel
Boma Inn Eldoret

Kisumu Tourist Places to Visit in Kisumu, Kenya, Africa

Kisumu Tourist Places to Visit in Kisumu, Kenya, Africa

Kisumu is the 3^rd largest city of Kenya, after Nairobi and Mombasa, geographically positioned at 0°6′0″S 34°45′0″E, around 1,130 meters above sea level. It is the important city of western Kenya, functioning as the administrative centre of Kisumu County. Kisumu is the country’s one of the top tourist destinations, which has made possible by its landmark sites like the Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Dunga Beach and Kisumu Museum.

Lying on the shore of Lake Victoria, Kisumu is situated around 330 km northwest of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Kisumu is home to one of the recognized universities of Kenya, the Maseno University.

History of Kisumu:

Kisumu may be derived its name from the Maragoli people who use the word Kisumu for trading as their major occupation is trading since the historic period. The port of Kisumu was established in the year 1901 under name Port Florence during British rule in Kenya. Kisumu also witnessed the visit of the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill, in 1907.

How to reach Kisumu?

Kisumu International Airport is situated around 10 km west of the heart of Kisumu and operates regular flights from the national capital, Nairobi, served by East African Safari Air, Fly540, Jambo Jet and Kenya Airways.

By bus, Kisumu can be reached from all the major cities of Kenya, including the national capital, Nairobi and Mombasa.

Options for local travel in Kisumu include bus, minivan-bus, bicycle taxi and rental cars.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Kisumu:

Kisumu Museum is the central point of the Kisumu’s culture housing different exhibitions on local people’s culture and tradition and also showcases the features of the local animal population.

Masai Market in Kisumu is a crafts market and also the city is famous for African print cloths.

When comes to restaurants, Kisumu offers dozens of options spread up all around the city.

Things to do in Kisumu:

Bird watching
City tours
Shopping

Places of interest in Kisumu:

Town Clock:

The Town Clock of Kisumu is situated on the main street of the city, which was dedicated to Kassim Lakha and was unveiled on 19 August 1938. It is in the centre of the Oginga Odinga Road, receiving almost all tourists coming to the city.

Kisumu Museum:

Established in 1980, the Kisumu Museum is dominated by the UNESCO sponsored Ber-gi-dala, a traditional recreation homestead. The museum is also known for numerous outdoor pavilions that are used to showcase sea creatures, traditional exhibits like jewelers and farm tools.

Dunga Beach and Wetlands:

The Dunga Beach and Wetlands is a winsome eco-cultural site, home to the Dunga Wetland Pedagogical Centre founded by Ecofinder Kenya. This scenic spot is a heaven for those who are fond of nature.

Kisumu Impala Sanctuary:

The Kisumu Impala Sanctuary is spread over an area of 0.4 square miles, making it as the Kenya’s one of the smallest wildlife refuges. The sanctuary houses a herd of impala, reptiles and around 115 different species of birds.

Hippo Point:

The Hippo Point is a famous sightseeing point, situated in the vicinity of the village of Dunga, covering an area of 600 acres. It is on the Lake Victoria, offering a striking view of sunset. Hippos are rare to see.

List of other places of interest in Kisumu includes:

Imperial Hotel
Kit Mikayi
Lake Kanyaboli National Reserve
Kisumu Harbour
Lake Victoria
Ndere Island National Park
Lake Kanyaboli National Reserve
Thimlich Ohinga Pre-Historic site

Best time to visit Kisumu:

The best time to visit Kisumu depends on visitors’ interest, although for outdoor activities, visitors can choose month either January or February or between June and September.

Accommodation options in Kisumu:

Kisumu is a city with dozens of tourist favor accommodation options including star rated hotels as well as budget hostels. Price depends on season and amenities provided by hotels. Some prominent hotels in Kisumu are listed below: