When considering where to travel what do you consider? When it comes to water bodies, you can head down to the Indian Ocean or to the West Coast of Kenya to Lake Victoria. Kisumu is a port city like Mombasa and thus gives you the city experience and a coastal feel to it. And if you’ve never been, it is safe to walk, locals are friendly and there is a myriad of options of getting there and getting around.
The fastest being by air but should you choose to drive, the highway is all tarmacked from Nairobi and you can also hop on the many PSV shuttles and buses to Western Kenya passing by Kisumu.
Booking flights to Kisumu
Remember when Jambojet had the Ksh 2100 promo fares in January? I booked Kisumu return tickets then started saving for the four-day weekend trip. Regarding timing, I went with an early morning flight to Kisumu and an evening flight to max out my time in Kisumu. If you’re traveling with seniors, take friendlier flight times but the thing with flights is if you’re looking for cheaper flights, take weekdays and book them early. Play around with dates – you’ll see how much you can save and you also don’t have to fly the same airline return.
Your takeaway here is to look out for promo fares and book them before the offer expires.
And check your flights here at www.turnup.travel/new/flights for the best offers!
And by the way, we documented the first Jambojet flight from Mombasa to Kisumu
Jambojet commissioned Turnup in Motion to document through photography & videography, four of their destinations, as a way of improving their marketing routes portfolio, solidifying their customer base & acquiring new clientele as a recovery for the Now Travel Ready Campaign.
Where to stay between hotel vs Airbnb? You can have both.
Split your accommodation between hotel and Airbnb to save costs, experience both, and promote my friend’s businesses. I’d recommend splitting your accommodation if staying for more than two nights or would like to explore more than one location. As for me, I wanted the proximity to the Kisumu CBD for the first two nights and the flexibility of an Airbnb to set my meal times.
Your takeaway on accommodation is to work with your budget and get the best deal within that.
Things to do in Kisumu
turnup.travel/new published a more comprehensive travel guide here.
Visited the new Lwangni for the fish culture. These eateries don’t have menus so you have to negotiate for the fish. As in the price is based on vile wamekupima ama venye samaki Inatoshana.
You cannot go to Kisumu and leave without eating fish from Lake Victoria. Lwang’ni Beach is one of the popular spots in Kisumu which relocated to Dunga Beach and you should definitely go experience the fish culture and eat local food. Other places to explore for fish are Hippo Point, Dunga Beach (where Lwang’ni eateries relocated), and Ogal Beach.
Went to Impala sanctuary for a wildlife experience and a sunset boat ride. I’d recommend you do this morning or afternoon when the sun is less harsh.
Entry is 200 bob per adult for Kenyan citizens and they give you a guide to take you around. You can tip them something small to appreciate the storytelling.
Club Da Bar had Karaoke on Thursday so we shopped at the Naivas and went to the disco. They have offers on drinks so be sure to ask what’s on offer that day. Lovely ambiance, good vibes.
The following day I went to watch Kisumu All-stars play live at Moi Stadium and thereafter went to catch a live band at Club Vimba 68. The match was 100 bob, sports tourism is back.
Should you book with a travel agent?
The beauty of working with a local agent like our partner Viba Explore is they’re known by hotels thus can negotiate a better rate or value on extras. And if you’re going on holiday, let a professional help with the planning. Then the meal plan? Hotels give various rates depending on if you want bed only, bed and breakfast, bed, breakfast, and dinner/lunch (half board) or full board with bed and three meals or all-inclusive.
Pro tip here is you can get the half-board rate and explore nearby restaurants for lunch but if the half board and full board rate don’t make economical sense, order from the menu at the hotel or dine out of the resort.
While at the Airbnb, we had breakfast in the house and shopped at Naivas. The host provided teas, sugars, and cooking oil.
How to get around
There are Bolt and Little Cab ride-hailing apps in Kisumu. You can get a taxi, use boda bodas and tuk tuks. There are also bicycles that still ferry people around and you can walk so connectivity should not be a problem.
1 bedroom Airbnb at Casabella: 3000 per night and fits two adults on self-catering that I discovered on Wanderlust Diaries Facebook group
Up next
The SamCamp Experience in Kenya scheduled for 12-16th April in Nairobi and 19-23rd in Kisumu.
Each camp (Nairobi & Kisumu) is an intensive football technical training designed for both boys and girls aged between 5-16 years. Each player will receive a UC Sampdoria full kit & diploma.
2 players from each camp will attend a week’s training at Sampdoria Samp Camp in Italy, all expenses paid
Charges: USD 150 per player.
Call us on 0798452941 for registration details.
Book here