WESTERN KENYA UNTAPPED TOURIST JEWEL

Western Kenya is fast opening up to the world of Tourism. An established tourism circuit offers tremendous scope to the international tourist and the domestic tourist alike, to learn observe and experience the diverse cultures and rich and rare fauna and flora. And in spectacular millieus, eco-tourism offers unusual panorama in relaxed setting that are more than therapeutic and also leaves on e in awe.

Western Kenya untapped tourist jewel is an open window to everybody-local families and entrepreneurs, farmers, school children college and universities and of course the international tourist. And the wonders are unlimited-historical sites, village museums, mouseliums of famous person, rock art, cultural heritage, shrines and the local people in their diversity by rich flora and fauna.

Human activity too is unlimited, as one traverses the vast plain, valley and coombs; the geography, topography and the diverse terrains through vast sugar and tea plantations, rumbling hills, crossing major rivers full of aquatic life and then taking a spectacular motor boat ride on the world largest fresh water tropical lake hosting little famous islands abounding in fish (Nile perch) and fishing trips are arranged. Along the shores there is the occasional glimpse of heads of hippopotamus and Mfangano Island can be found the giant Nile alligators and huge arrays of birds perched on fig trees.

Choices are many, It could be Ruma National Reserve where game reviewing is major and the pick-nick sites; it could be mount Elgon and the elephant cave; it could be the Kakamega National Reserve the only remnant in Kenya of once great tropical rainforest that stretched across Central Africa. As a relic of this Africa equatorial jungle is now famous around the world for being home of several species of birds. As far as bird conservation is concerned it is one of the important Birds Area (IBA in Kenya with a prolific record of over 330 species. Turners’s Eremomela, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Aworgen’s greenbul birds are found only in Kakamega Forest neighboring South Nandi Forest in the whole of East Africa. Other birds to be found only in this near by forest Western Kenya include Black –billed wattle-eye, southern Hyliota, African Shrike-Flycatcher, white-tailed ant-thrush, petits cuckoo-shrike and cassins honeyguide.

Among the mammals known to live in the forest are the Bush pig Duikers, Bushback, clawless otter, mongoose, Giant water shrew, squirrels, Tree pangolin. Porcupine, Bats and primates. Among the primates to be found here are the Black and white colobus monkeys, De Barazza’s monkeys, the red-tailled, the potto and olive Baboons.

Twenty seven species live in the forest. And true to the forest continental origins, the snakes of Kakamega are mainly from West Africa. They include the forest cobra, the black-lipped cora, Jameson’s Mamba, the Bush viper, the rhinocerous-horned viper, the cobra viper and the gold cobra.

The most common terrestrial lizard one is like to come across is Jackson Lacerta. Others lizards are Agame, Peters long tailed skink and the Nile monitor among other lizards. Other interesting animals are amphibians, mollusks, butterflies and other insects.

For a superb view of the forest to the Nandi Hills a short climb up Buyangu Hills well is well worthwhile. It’s easily accessible and worth a visit. Other interesting spots include Lihandra Hills Isiuku water falls within reached provides pleasant spot for picnic

At Kakamega Forest, there are other activities options such as forest walking and linking: Birds watching; primate watching and butterfly watching.

Regarding where to stay there are Kenya Wildlife Society (KWS) self –catering facilities udo Bandas, Isukuti Gues House and camping which is more adventurous.

In Mbita in South Nyanza, one could find both sun, sand and fun at the Lake Victoria safari village with quite and nice surrounding just of Rusinga and Mfangano islands.

The village consists of attractive round traditional hats and is also having a lighthouse on the lake shore with honeymoon suite. All rooms have its own bathroom and private verandah overlooking the lake. It is just the most perfect place for any tourist to sniff the soothing breeze while gazing out on the lake and the islands beyond.

The people are hospitable and are unspoiled by modern tourism. One can go to the village to relax or use it as a base to explore the various attractions of the area and for ecotourism activities.

One could undertake fishing for Nile perch (Mbuta), bird watching and there are more than 160 species of birds observed, sight seeing trips by road to the near by Ruma National Park where Roan antelopes and blue swallows abound in plenty for curious eyes; there is also the Lake safaris to visit colorful
Luo fishing beaches.

The Western Kenya tourist circuit offers a great deal to the ideal tourist, because every little single activity has just that appealing to artistic touch,; there is poetry everywhere; in the caves with rock hearts; in the peoples song and dances; in their conversation and artifacts peculiar to a region; the sky and the land to bear their mysteries

AKECH OBAT MASIRA & OMAR NASSER
(THE LAKE BASIN JEWEL MAGAZINE)
Coming Soon!!
Tel:+254-0726164954
Google search: obat masira

Website:http/misangoarts.blogspot.com

Email:obatmasira@yahoo.com

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Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:44:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: Obat Masira
Subject: The Lake Basin Jewel Magazine