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Kenya
Photo: Wycondi, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Western Kenya is a region of Kenya and includes Nyanza and Western provinces of the same name.
Bus services form the backbone of public transport between Nairobi and the major cities in western Kenya. The network is dense, frequent and well-developed.
Read in the guideMatatus (minibuses) and motorbike taxis travel between urban centres and rural areas along often adventurous routes. Allow plenty of time for this, especially in the rainy season when the roads are soft.
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Eldoret · International · EDL
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(~70,000 inhabitants). Busia is a border town with Uganda. It has currency exchange offices, a bank, hospitals, restaurants, bars and hotels. Buses run several times a day from the bus station to Bungoma, Kisumu, Nairobi and other destinations.
(~500,000 inhabitants). It is the fastest growing city in Kenya and the birthplace of many Kenyan running stars. World-renowned training centres for long-distance runners are located near the city.
(~65,000 inhabitants). The town primarily serves as a gateway to the Rusinga and Mfangano Islands, as well as to the Ruma National Park.
(~100,000 inhabitants) Rural supply centre without tourist attractions. Most of the town's inhabitants are Luhya. There is an airport for domestic flights.
(~45,000 inhabitants). As the capital of tea cultivation, there are no other sights to see here. However, the surrounding area is home to tea plantations and factories where tea is fermented and packaged, which are well worth a visit.
(~120,000 inhabitants). Due to its altitude of around 1,700 metres, the climate is pleasant for Europeans. The town is characterised mainly by coffee, tea and other agricultural production, as the surrounding land is fertile.
the third largest city in Kenya, and made the first Millennium city in the World by the UN. It is known for its ownership of the second largest lake in the world, Lake Victoria, and is mainly made up of the Luo tribe.
(~200,000 inhabitants). Situated at an altitude of around 1,900 metres between Mount Elgon and the Cherangani Mountains, it is a central trading hub for the surrounding agricultural region.
The rainforest, only a small part of which remains, is home to a unique variety of rare plants, mammals, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians.
Straddling the border between Kenya and Uganda, the park is a mosaic of grasslands, swamps, moors and mountain rainforest. Visitors may catch a glimpse of leopards, elands, buffalo, bushbucks and giant forest hogs, as well as small populations of shy elephants.
Thanks to its location, the island is a very popular tourist destination. As well as nature, fishing is also a popular activity. The large perch around Rusinga Island make it attractive to anglers. The island is also home to a wide variety of species, particularly birds. The island's hills are popular hiking destinations, offering stunning views of Lake Victoria.
At approximately 3 km², it is the country's smallest national park. It was established to protect the marsh antelope (Tragelaphus spekii). The park is also home to over 370 species of bird, as well as monkeys, porcupines, otters, snakes and fish. The park includes the marshland along a small river and parts of the surrounding rainforest.
It is the largest inland lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater lake in the world in terms of area, with fascinating nature, rich wildlife, cultural diversity and leisure activities such as boat trips, fishing and island exploration. However, swimming in the lake is life-threatening due to parasites, hippos and crocodiles.
Articles and travel topics about Western Kenya and Kenya.
Nature & adventureAs of 2023 the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves is made up of 738 reserves in 134 countries of which 22 are transboundary.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureThe national parks system of Kenya is maintained by the Kenya Wildlife Service. There are two main types of terrestrial protected areas in Kenya: national parks, and national reserves.
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Nature & adventureSafaris are perhaps the greatest tourism draw in Africa and the highlight for many visitors. The term safari in popular use refers to overland travel to view the stunning African wildlife, particularly on savanna.
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ItinerariesThis Alexandria to Cape Town by train and bus itinerary covers the overland route from Alexandria, Egypt, to Cape Town, South Africa, and is one of the very few land routes from north to south in Africa available to…
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