VSW 216 Western Kenya and West Coast of Kenya Ecotourism and Cultural Group Safari, 10 Days and 9 Nights
(Saiwa Swamp, Kakamega Forest, Kogelo, Lake Kanyaboli, Ndere Island, Kaloka Beach, Mbita Point, Ruma National Park, Mfangano Island, Rusinga Island, Homabay, Kendu Bay, Pala Springs)

This is an exciting 10 days touristic and cultural safari which will give you an exhilarating experience within the Western region of Kenya. The safari starts in Nairobi, upon your arrival and takes you to all the above mentioned locations in Western Kenya where you will have an ecotourism safari to some of the beautiful parks and wildlife sanctuaries located here, as well as have a chance to interact with the local communities found within the region. You will travel privately with your tour guide/driver in a private safari minivan and spend the nights in hostels, camps and budget lodges as applicable.

Day 1: Arrival – Nairobi – Eldoret Town
Assuming that you arrive in the morning at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met and warmly received by the Tour Manager and Driver/guide who will brief you about your safari. After the briefing, you will depart to Eldoret where you will spend the night before proceeding with your journey early the following morning.

Dinner and overnight at Wagon Wheel Hotel or similar

Day 2: Eldoret Town – Saiwa Swamp – Kakamega Forest
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and head to Saiwa Swamp where you will have an opportunity to spot the Sitatunga Antelope, if you are lucky. You will then have lunch before proceeding to Kakamega Forest for wildlife viewing till evening. In the evening, you will be transferred back to your lodges for dinner and overnight stay.

Saiwa Swamp National Park lies not far from Mount Elgon and was created primarily for the protection of the rare Sitatunga Antelope, the Saiwa Swamp National Park is a perfect example of how a small area can survive as a complete ecological entity. The semi-aquatic Sitatunga relying on a swamp habitat has evolved to survive in such conditions and despite the minute size of Saiwa Swamp National Park, it seems certain to continue to thrive there. The Sitatunga is a swamp-dwelling antelope found in Central and East Africa. It is about one and a half meters tall and has a water-proof coat that is dark brown in males and reddish brown in females. Their hooves are long and thin to cope with the Sitatunga's swampy habitat. Males have a mane as well as horns, which are twisted and can reach almost a meter in length. Other small numbers of Sitatunga in Kenya are being conserved in Lewa. The Sitatunga at Saiwa Swamp National Park is sufficiently numerous to ensure seeing them. In addition, there are De Brazza, Colobus and Velvet monkeys and an exciting variety of birds. Some 250 species have been noted in this small area. No vehicles are allowed in the park so this is another bonus as it is one of the few parks in which walking is permitted or in this case mandatory. Saiwa Swamp National Park has over 15 kilometers of walking trails. It also has four observation towers, where African Mecca guests have a bird’s eye view of the swamp. There are platforms built into trees overlooking the swamp, provided of course, for Sitatunga watchers but also a splendid perch in which to contemplate nature's glory. There are several home stay accommodation experiences in the area.

Dinner and overnight at Udo Bandas or similar

Day 3: Kakamega Forest – Kogelo – Lake Kanyaboli – Kisumu Town
After breakfast, you will check out of your camp then depart to Kogelo where you will have a visit to the ancestral home of Barack Obama, Sr., the father of current United States President- Barack Obama. Barack Obama, Sr. is buried in the village. Some of their family members, including his paternal grandmother Sarah Anyango Obama, still live in the home. In the home, Sarah Obama's home; you will find both the grave sites for Barack Obama Sr. and his father's. You will also find in the homestead Sarah's house, the security tents, visit the vegetable garden, the cattle Boma and sit under the big mango trees where Sarah usually has interviews with visitors. Packed lunch will be served en route. You will then proceed to Lake Kanyaboli for a boat ride. In the evening, you will be transferred back to Kisumu where you will spend the night.

Lake Kanyaboli is located at the north-eastern corner of Lake Victoria. It is one of the most important riparian satellite lakes around Lake Victoria. Lake Kanyaboli is part of the Yala swamp, which forms the mouth of both Rivers Nzoia and Yala. The lake is a freshwater deltaic wetland arising from backflow of water from Lake Victoria as well as the rivers’ floodwaters. It provides a very important habitat for refugee populations of certain fish species, which have otherwise disappeared from Lake Victoria. Lately, a population of the rare sitatunga antelope, the local name being “Dwe” has been sighted at this lake, thereby making the lake more touristic than ever. A boat ride on this swampy lake along various corridors of papyrus is unforgettable. The lake has an abundant supply of the small fishes which are very sweet when fried, namely, “Dwele” or “Fulu” in the local dialect.

Dinner and overnight at a homestead in Jumuia Kisumu Guest House or similar

Day 4: Kisumu Town – Dunga Beach – Ndere Island – Kaloka Beach – Kisumu Town
After breakfast, you will drive to Dunga beach; then take a leisure boat ride to Ndere Island National park for game viewing and bird watching. Afterwards, you will ride the boat back to Dunga beach. Drive to Kit- Mikaye (This rock is where Mikaye the mother of Luo tribe sheltered herself after along journey down the Nile); then drive back to Kisumu for Lunch. After Lunch, go for a Kisumu City tour which takes you to Impala park, Kisumu Museum, The Kisumu city market, Children's Homes, women groups, Tilapia beach, Kiboko Bay then back to your homestead or hotel for dinner and overnight. Dinner and overnight at a homestead in Jumuia Kisumu Guest House or similar

Day 5: Kisumu Town – Mbita Point – Ruma National Park – Mbita Point
After breakfast, you will depart to Lwanda Kotieno for your Ferry ride to Mbita point with a packed picnic lunch being served en route. You will visit Ruma National Park where you will have a chance to spot the rare roan antelope, which is one of Africa’s rarest and third largest antelopes in Kenya. You will then take the ferry back to Mbita Point arriving in the evening and check in at a homestead around Mbita Point or a camp for dinner and overnight.

Ruma National Park lies in western Kenya close to the shores of Lake Victoria and is an island of wilderness in a sea of intense cultivation. The park is situated in one of the most productive and populous regions of Kenya. It is also Kenya’s last remaining sanctuary of the Roan antelope (also known as Korongo in Swahili), which exists nowhere else in Kenya. The park is also rich in birdlife and is the only protected area in Kenya where the globally threatened blue swallow, a scarce intra-African migrant is regularly recorded and blue swallows. The park is also home to the Rothschild’s Giraffe, serval cat, hyena, impala, vervet monkey, roan antelope, Oribi, Bohor reedbuck, leopard, buffalo, and the Jackson’s hartebeest

Dinner and overnight at Lake Victoria Safari Village or similar

Day 6: Mbita Point – Mfangano Island – Takawiri – Rusinga – Mbita Point
After breakfast you will take a boat ride tour to Mfangano Island and get to experience the cool breeze of the lake. You will then proceed to Takawiri where you will have lunch before continuing to Rusinga Islands. In the evening, you will be transferred back to your homestead in Mbita Point where you will spend the night and have dinner. Dinner and overnight at Lake Victoria Safari Village or similar

Day 7: Mbita Point – Homabay – Kendu Bay – Pala Springs
After breakfast, you will proceed to Homabay and have lunch at the Homabay Tourist Hotel. After lunch, proceed to Kendu Bay and Simbi Nyaima as well as visit the famous Pala Springs. In the evening, you will be transferred back to Kendu Bay where you will spend the night and have dinner. Dinner and overnight at a homestead in Kendu Bay or at Kendu Bay Tourist Resort

Day 8: Kendu Bay – Kisii – Kisumu Town
After breakfast, depart Kendu Bay and pass through Kisii for a visit to the Tabaka Soap Stone Centre before proceeding to Kisumu. You will have lunch on the way and dinner and overnight at Kisumu Town.

Tabaka near Kisii in the Western Highlands, is home to Kenya's finest stone carvers. The Kisii / Gusii community are renowned for their artistic skill with the local soapstone. They have a long tradition of carving ornate decorative art and jewelry, together with functional items such as plates and bowls. A visit here is an excellent opportunity to experience this rich culture and to purchase some beautiful handcrafted works of art. The stone is found in a series of large open quarries throughout the Gucha area, which have also proved equally rich in uncovered fossil evidence and prehistoric artifacts. The success of this industry shows in the town of Tabaka, where every household seems to be busily engaged in carving, polishing, washing and packaging stoneware. This very success has meant the preservation of a very important cultural tradition. Cooperative workshops have been formed to produce work for the international market. Kisii stone is sold worldwide, and several works by Tabaka artists have found a place in major international art collections.

Dinner and overnight stay at Jumuia Kisumu Guest House

Day 9 Kisumu Town – Nairobi
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and start your return journey back to Nairobi with stop overs and packed picnic lunch on the way. Upon arrival in the evening, you will be transferred to your hotel for rest, refreshment and dinner. Dinner and overnight at Kenya Comfort Hotel or similar

Day 10: Nairobi – Departure
If your outbound flight is in the morning, you will be met by your driver/guide after breakfast and be transferred to the airport in time to catch your flight. If your flight is in the evening, you may opt to take a Nairobi city tour which will give you a chance to familiarize yourselves with the most popular attractions found within this city.

End of safari

Cost of safari: US$ 1,580 per person sharing (minimum 4 adults traveling)
Child aged 4-12 years pays 50% of adult cost

Package Includes:

• All park entrance fees
• Full board accommodation and meals while on safari
• Service of an English speaking driver/guide
• Cultural visits during your safari
• Transport in a private safari minivan with pop up roof for wildlife viewing and photography
• Driver and chef allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
• Game drives and nature walks
• All applicable government taxes

Package Excludes:

• Extras at the hotels, lodges or camps i.e. alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
• Local or international flight fees and departure taxes
• Any other extra activities on offer during your safari
• Tips to porters and driver/guide or chef
• Items of personal nature e.g. tissues and other toiletries
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Any other item not included in our itinerary