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Kenya · Cultural

Ruma, Rusinga & Mfangano Islands

A western Kenya journey pairing Ruma's rare roan antelope with Lake Victoria islands, living crafts, tea country and Naivasha.

10 days, 9 nights · Private

This culture-and-nature circuit flies from Nairobi to Homa Bay, explores Ruma National Park, then slows down on Rusinga and Mfangano islands. Community visits, archaeology, soapstone carving and Kericho tea country complete a lesser-travelled route back to Nairobi.

Highlights

  • Roan antelope in Ruma National Park
  • Rusinga Island fossil heritage
  • Luo and Suba community visit
  • Mfangano Island rock art
  • Kisii soapstone artisans
  • Kericho tea estate and factory
  • Lake Victoria island life

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arrive Nairobi

    Meet at the airport on arrival and transfer to the Nairobi hotel.

  2. Day 2

    Nairobi to Ruma National Park

    Transfer to Wilson Airport and fly to Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay. Continue by road to Ruma National Park and settle into the hotel for dinner and overnight.

  3. Day 3

    Full day in Ruma National Park

    Morning safari in search of Kenya's rare roan antelope. Take a picnic or return for a hot lunch, relax, then return to the park for a late-afternoon game drive.

  4. Day 4

    Ruma to Rusinga Island

    Travel through Mbita to Rusinga Island, check in and relax beside Lake Victoria at sunset. The island is internationally important for Miocene fossils, including early primate remains.

  5. Day 5

    Rusinga Island

    Explore with a local guide, visiting the Tom Mboya Mausoleum and fossil site. Visit a Luo or Suba village to learn about fishing, traditional life and lakeside communities.

  6. Day 6

    Rusinga to Mfangano Island

    Travel by boat to Mfangano Island to visit its rock paintings and a local village, returning to the hotel in the late afternoon.

  7. Day 7

    Mfangano to Kisii

    Return to the mainland and continue to Kisii. Visit the Egware museum and soapstone workshops to see master carvers at work, then dinner and overnight in Kisii.

  8. Day 8

    Kisii to Kericho

    Drive to Kericho and check into a hotel or tea-estate guesthouse. Tour the plantations and factory to learn how tea is grown, picked and processed.

  9. Day 9

    Kericho to Naivasha

    Drive to Naivasha and relax at Dea's Gardens before dinner and overnight.

  10. Day 10

    Naivasha to Nairobi

    Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and early lunch, then return to Nairobi for the evening flight.

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