Gulf Of Lake Victoria safaris - 7 Days (VSW 229)

This is a safari around the Gulf of Lake Victoria formerly known as Kavirondo Gulf. This safari exposes you to the famous Luo Culture and community lifestyle while at the same time it takes you to the famous wildlife scenes around Lake Victoria Gulf. You will start this safari from Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or from the Kisumu International Airport.

You will then visit the Kisumu City for an Excursion and see the touristic areas within and around Kisumu City which include Kit Mikaye and The famous Equator line point at Maseno, before travelling to the other areas around the Kenyan Gulf of Lake Victoria.You will visit the African home of the USA president in Kogelo village in Siaya Alego, stay in village homes and travel by ferry across the Lake Victoria Gulf from Lwanda Kotieno to Mbita point. Visit the Ruma National park and see the endagered Rone Antelop found in this game park.You will then proceed to Thim Lich ohinga and Gogo falls before you travel back to homa bay and into Simbi Nyaima. You will then sum it up with a visit to the famous Sondu Muriu hydro electric project before returning to Kisumu City.

Day 1: Nairobi - Kisumu City - Kisumu City Excursion
Upon arriving in Kisumu by air from Nairobi at about 8.30am, or by road which takes 6 hours drive, you will be met by our tour manager and a guide who will then take you to your hotel for check-in, briefing and late breakfast if you arrived by air in the morning. The rest of the day is spent visiting the various attractions of this Lakeside City including the Local Kisumu National Museum which is rich in cultural, community and archeological artefacts, the Impala Park, the Kiboko Bay Beach Resort to see the hippos and have a boat ride, Dunga beach and the Boat landing areas, Visit the childrens' Orphanges near this point, proceed to the Ship landing area - the pier, the Kisumu Municipal Market and the Kisumu Munucipal Fish Market, continue to the Riat hills for a panoramic view of the Kisumu City, the Kisumu International Airport and Lake Victoria from a birds eye view. Have a traditional foods lunch (Kuon – Ugali and Rech - Fish) if you so wish at Tilapia Beach Resort by the shores of Lake Victoria or at Kisumu Beach Resort. You will then return back to your hotel in the late afternoon in readiness for the next days trip. Dinner and overnight at Sunset Hotel in Kisumu.

(Note: As an Optional trip; We will take you for a Kisumu City tour by night for those who like some fun as they sample the delights of this Western Kenya City )

Day 2: Kisumu City – Kogelo Village( Granny Sarah Obama's Children orphanage)
After breakfast depart for kogelo village, the african home for USA president – Barack Obama. On your way, you will stop at the Equator line point at Maseno; have a photo session here and proceed to Lwanda Market before turning right on to the road to Ng'iya Market, you will visit a market day on your way on this day and see how market days are in this side of the world. You will then proceed to Kogelo and visit the Village dispensary, the Nyang'oma Kogelo Market where President Barack Obama used to help Granny Sarah selling vegetables when he visited his ancestral home. Proceed to the school and then to the actual home where you will meet Grand mother - Sarah Obama. You will have some tee party with the orphans of Kogelo who are taken care of by the Sarah Obama Childrens Foundation. Time allowing, you will visit Siaya town and the adjacent homes to witness the lifestyle of the populace in Alego Siaya. You will proceed to Yala swamp where you will see the famous – Dominion Farm of Calvin Burgess from Oklohama. You will return back to Kisumu for dinner and overnight. Dinner and overnight at Sunset hotel in Kisumu.

Day 3: Kisumu City - Got Ramogi – Kamito(Aram)
After breakfast depart for Kit Mikaye (the rock that has a story to tell that is steeped in the mythology of the Luo people),Take a boat ride from Kaloka beach to Ndere island National park where you will see wild animals, birds and Reptiles and back to Kaloka beach. Continue to Usenge on the shores of Lake Victoria via the Late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga's mausoleum -Kan'go ka jaramogi, attempt to climb Got Ramogi- Hill (the home of the grand grand father of the luo community when the luo tribe first settled on Lake Victoria) in the afternoon after a lunch of fresh fish and other savories that include local fare. Drive back to kamito beach . The evening is spent listening to folk-lore by a campfire on the shores of the lake even as your meal of mutton or lamb roasts on a spit in the open. Dinner and overnight in a middle class hotel, a campsite or homestay in an ambassadorial posh rural home at the shores of Lake Victoria.

Day 4: Kamito(Aram) - Luanda Kotieno- Mbita
After an early visit to the shores of Lake Victoria to see the swarming market as fishermen and other trades-people sell their wares, we travel to Luanda kotieno beach ready to board the ferry to Mbita Point, a major center for insect study that hosts the International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), this is a 45 minutes ride across Lake Victoria Gulf.

The day is spent at Mbita with a boat ride to Takawiri, Rusinga or Mfangano Islands inside Lake Victoria. You can also drive across the causeway to Rusinga Island; famous as a bird watchers' island and also home to the late Tom Mboya; a prominent Kenyan politician who was assassinated in 1969 and whose remains were interred in a Memorial Mausoleum on the Rusinga island. Lunch will be served on any of the islands before driving to Lake Victoria Safari Village for dinner and an overnight stay at this beautiful lakeside resort ; Lake Victoria Safari Village.

Dinner and overnight at Lake Victoria Safari Village.

Day 5: Lake Victoria Safari Village (Community and Cultural activities visits)
This day is engaged in investigating the local peoples' culture; boating and fishing on lake victoria, visiting a school or a church, listening to local musical instruments in action and joining local dances of the luo. You will also be visiting the market place and climbing one of the nearby hills to see the golden sunset over Lake Victoria for a panoramic view of the lake's islands and the vast expanse of this great inland sea unfolds before your eyes. You may also spend part of the day fishing on the Lake together with the local fishermen or take a boating trip to explore the nearby islands of Lake Victoria or Relax on the hotel grounds and take a break from the safari itinerary. At sunset you are entertained by local traditional dancers and story tellers. Dinner and an overnight stay at the Lake Victoria Safari Village.

Day 6: Mbita Point – Ruma National Park - Awendo
An early drive further south after breakfast to Ruma National park , game drive followed by lunch at Ndhiwa then continue to Thim Lich Ohinga then to Gogo falls. Drive to Awendo in the centre of sugarcane plantation. A tour of the sugar cane plantation is followed. Dinner and overnight at Awendo – Sony Sugar Company Guest house Or similar

Day 7: Awendo - Homabay - Kisumu
After breakfast proceed to homabay then to Kanjira Hot springs, and to Lake Simbi Nyaima. We have a walk around this lake, see different types of birds, talk to local people to know much about this magical lake. Then proceed to Kendu Bay for lunch before visiting Odino falls where we see the rural development projects e.g. schools, churches and the hydro-electric power station. We then proceed to Kisumu via the Ahero rice irrigation scheme. Dinner and overnight stay at Sunset Hotel, Kisumu.

Day 8: Kisumu – Nairobi - Departure
After breakfast, depart for Nairobi by road or by the morning flight at 8.30am or use the afternoon flight back to Nairobi for your onward connecting departure flight to your next destination.

End of services.

Cost: US$ 2,480 per person sharing. (minimum 2 persons travelling )

Cost includes-

• Road transport using mini tour van with pop-up roof for viewing and photography
• All airport transfers
• All meals while on this trip – 3 meal plan
• All Accommodation in Kisumu city and around Lake victoria
• Park entry fees where applicable – Ndere Island and Ruma National parks
• Driver and vehicle allowances
• All Government taxes
• Service of an English speaking driver guide
• Cummunity visits and Game viewing drives as per the itinerary
  

Cost excludes:-

• Local and international airfare.
• Tips to driver guides and potters
• Extras at the Hotels and Villages -tips, drinks, telephone, laundry etc
• Items of personal nature
• Make A Reservation