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Kisumu County, Kenya

Samaki

Samaki means fish.

Kisumu County

As the former Port Florence at the end of the Uganda Railway, Kisumu is Kenya's gateway to Lake Victoria and the anchor of Lake Region trade.

Capital
Kisumu
People
1.2M
Area
2,010 km²
Altitude
1,130 m
Plan a tripTravel the road

Kisumu wraps around the Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria. Its capital is Kenya's third-largest city and the hub of western Kenya. Most residents are Luo, with long-established Asian and other communities.

Why it matters

As the former Port Florence at the end of the Uganda Railway, Kisumu is Kenya's gateway to Lake Victoria and the anchor of Lake Region trade.

The economy

Fishing, food processing, brewing, textiles and trade lead. The port, railway and international airport link Kisumu to Uganda, Tanzania and Nairobi.

Must-see in Kisumu

  • Kisumu Museum

    Lake-fish aquaria, a snake house and a full-size traditional Luo homestead.

  • Kisumu Impala Sanctuary

    A lakeshore sanctuary with impala, sitatunga and walking trails.

  • Hippo Point

    Famous for spectacular sunsets over Lake Victoria.

  • Dunga Beach and Wetlands

    Papyrus boat rides and eco-cultural tours in a fishing village.

  • Kit Mikayi

    A towering rock formation whose shrine traditions are on UNESCO's urgent-safeguarding list.

  • Ndere Island National Park

    An island park with hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles, reached by boat.

  • Kibuye Market

    One of western Kenya's biggest open-air markets.

Peoples of Kisumu

Communities with a historic home in Kisumu. Today people from every part of Kenya live and work here.

Music, food and culture

Kisumu is home to the nyatiti, the orutu fiddle and ohangla drumming, plus lively benga and rumba nightlife. The signature dish is fried tilapia with ugali, celebrated at the Kisumu Fish Fiesta.

Best time to go

June to September for dry weather, clear sunsets and boat trips. April is usually the wettest month.

On the map

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Kisumu and its neighbours. Tap a county or a place to read about it.

Kisumu Impala SanctuaryKit MikayiNdere Island National Park

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Your questions

When is the best time to visit Kisumu?

June to September for dry weather, clear sunsets and boat trips. April is usually the wettest month.

What is Kisumu County known for?

As the former Port Florence at the end of the Uganda Railway, Kisumu is Kenya's gateway to Lake Victoria and the anchor of Lake Region trade.

Where is Kisumu and what is its capital?

Kisumu wraps around the Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria. Its capital is Kenya's third-largest city and the hub of western Kenya. Most residents are Luo, with long-established Asian and other communities. The county capital is Kisumu, and the 2019 census counted 1,155,574 people across about 2,010 square kilometres.

Nearby

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A giraffe and acacia tree silhouetted against a Kenyan sunset

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