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In Kenya, the western Kenya circuit is the least visited and the most scenic and interesting tourist location. Western Kenya safaris and tours once undertaken by any tourist, can never be left unrepeated again and again by the same visitor year in year out. It is referred to as the Virgin tourist treasure of Kenya, the untapped and unexplored touristic circuit.

Kenya’s diverse landscapes from the coast to the interior offer unique experiences to the traveller. However in terms of beauty, scenery and diverse cultural experiences, the western region far surpasses the rest of the country. Its diverse landscape is matched by its rich cultural diversity.  The beats of the tom tom, sparkling spears of the Kalenjin and the circumcision ceremonies of western Kenya, the rhythmic vigor of the Isikuti luhya dance provide warmth to the visitor that is not found in any other region of the country.

Millions of years ago Kenya was generally a flat plateau which undelated in a series of steps form the Indian Ocean toward the interior. Then violent earth movements began to wreck the land apart and against each other forming deep valleys, high mountains and lakes thus changing the landscape dramatically to what it is today. The Great Rift Valley was formed through the process. This great fissure separated the landscape west and east. To the east is the high plateaus edging away to the central Kenya water from the numerous rivers that drain into it to form Kenya. Uganda and Tanzania to become Lake Victoria, the fabled source of the river Nile.

Physical features
The western Kenya region is a great region of contrasts. Its eastern border is dominated  by the Mau massif, the Uasin Gishu plateau, Elgeyo escarpment and the fine landscapes  of the cherangani hill  and the picturesque tugen dam, to the north  lies  the rich farmlands of kitale, Mt Elgon, Bungoma Teso and the many rivers that drain  the lake Victoria basin extending  steps from the rich tea growing areas of kericho and Kisii higher up, to the lower landscapes of  Migori, Ruma and the Islands of Mfangano, Rusinga and the tiny bird paradise of Muholo and Mbasa.

Climate in Western Kenya
The presence of the Lake Victoria watermass in the region plays an important role on climate. The areas nearer the lake like Kisumu have annual precipitation of 1000 – 1250 mm with temperatures ranging from a high of 39’c to a low 15’ c. Relative humidity stands at 85% in the mornings and 47% in the evenings. The region experience two wet seasons. The long rains come in March and April while the short rains are in October .This weather pattern is similar in most of the lake basin though the amount of rainfall increases to 2000mm in the kakamega region, Nandi ,Kericho and Kisii and decreases marginally in the Mt.Elgon, Kitale, Bungoma, kapenguria , Iten and Uasin Gishu areas. The region beyond kapenguria is relatively dry as well as the majority of Baringo, which would be classified as semi-desert.

Major Towns in Western Kenya
 The major towns are Kisumu and Eldoret, the latter being the centre of Kenya’s grain economy while Kisumu serves the fish industry and supports the vast sugar belt. The tea industry in Kericho as well as the increasingly popular flower industry is served by the Eldoret International Airport.

Border control Points into Western Kenya Region
The western Kenya region borders both Uganda and Tanzania. There are five border entry points whose purpose is to control the border points as well as facilitate travellers to and from the other countries. The regional office for immigration is located in Kisumu and Eldoret. These offices provide passports, register aliens, extend visa, etc. The only service that they do not provide is the issue of work permits. For this, one will have to travel to Nairobi. The five border entry points are: - Malaba, Busia, Suam, Lwakhakha and Isebania

The Lake Victoria and its Islands
The fabled source of the Nile is the second largest fresh water Lake in the world. It extends 69,000 sq km with depth of 82mts.Kenya only enjoys 6% of the Lake, while the rest is shared between Uganda and Tanzania. At least 60% of the water that flows into the lake is from Kenya’s highlands. The Lake is dotted with interesting Islands which are quit popular with tourists. Rusinga Islands, Mfangano and Takawiri each have unique attractions which include the Rock paintings of Mfangano, the Tom Mboya Mausoleum at Rusinga and white beaches of Takawiri. The areas surrounding this Island provides the best fishing ground in the Kenyan side of the Lake. Ndere Island is a gazetted protected park run by Kenya Wildlife Service. Unfortunately no development exits on this island.

Rock Formations  and Folklore

Kit Mikaye of Seme
The most interesting of these are found in Seme, Kit Mikayi being the mother of all. Kit Mikaye literally means ‘the rock of the first wife’. In Luo folklore, there lived once a woman whose name was Aber and whose husband was Onam. They lived together in love and harmony for many years. Onam however married a second wife, Ndiru, whom he lavished all his love and attention leaving Aber dejected and unloved. She eventually pined away and died in misery. She was buried where the rock now stands. One day there was a violent storm accompanied by earth movements which ripped the earth and threw out the bones of Aber from the ground. It killed all the members of the Onam’s family and transformed them into rocks.

The Crying Stone of Kakamega - Khayega
The weeping stone is another interesting rock. It is found in Khayega near Kakamega. It is about 40m high with a small rock perched on top. It is an acid plutonic rock consisting mainly of quarts, alkali, feldspar and mica. It is an imposing feature especially when you get near it.    Its most outstanding feature is the water that runs down its structure ‘head to toe. It looks like a gowned figure in perpetual tears. Many other such rocks are found in Nyangori and Vihiga, all subjects of myth and folklore.

Thimlich Ohinga
Thimlich Ohinga in Migori district is an archeological fortress built by the Luo back in the 15th century to protect them and their livestock from marauding enemies. The fortress measures some 150m in diameter and contains other five smaller ‘Ohingas’ (fortresses). The walls round the fortress measure 3m tall and 1.5 m thick. Small entrances placed strategically around the fortress are capable of allowing only one person through at a time and were guarded from a watch tower.

Kisii Soapstone
Kisii Soapstone is a unique rock found in only one place in the world, Kisii. The finest deposits are found in Nyamarambe Division. There is an estimated 10 million tons of stone deposits at Tabaka, Gotichaki, Nyabigena and Itumbe Hills. This stone has been utilized for arstistic, decorative and functional products since time immemorial as seen from pre-historic remains on rocks at Sameta, Moma etc. The stone occurs naturally in various colours and Gusii ancestors used its powder for body shields, wall painting, traditional ceremonies and rituals. The little town of Tabaka and the surrounding country side supplies the entire world with quality carvings made from this magical stone. The 7 tonne – “Enyamuchera” (Bird of Peace) soapstone carving at UNESCO headquarters in Paris was made locally in this area by one Elkana Ongesa. The easiest way to reach Tabaka is to approach from Kisii town. The turn-off to Tabaka is on the Kisii-Rongo main road at Naybigega market town on the left side of the road. Tabaka is approximately 4.5km from the turn off.

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