1. Western Kenya at a glance
13 Counties: Kisumu, Siaya, Homabay, Kisii, Busia, Kericho, Bomet, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Migori and Nyamira Counties
Lake Region economic Bloc Blueprint: Regional Perspective:
Tourism: The Western Kenya Tourism Circuit has significant potential that has yet to be tapped. Key areas of potential include nature and wildlife tourism; agrotourism; water sports tourism, and cultural heritage and community based tourism. Opportunities exist to create demand-led tourism by expanding the hospitality industry and collaboratively undertaking aggressive marketing of the region to local and international markets. Proposed Flagship Project for Tourism: Creation of a Lake Region Tourism Circuit
KTB Perspective: Rich resources, aligned to Magical Kenya’s USP. Iconic attractions. #Hiddengemsofkenya
NTB 2030, LRB Blueprint from the region; Regional Block secretariat
Enhanced road network – Kisumu bypasses
Watersports in Rusinga Island
Rare Sitatunga in Saiwa swamp
Gorgeous sunsets
Birding and trekking in Kakamega forest
Changoi Tea estates – Kericho
Beaches at Takawiri Island
New facilities that enhance hospitality – e.g. Ciala resort
Strides Made by the region:
International events: Africities 2020 event
County promotions
Events & Festivals: Isambo cultural festival in Busia, Rusinga Cultural festival
Publicity efforts online and offline
New facilities : Ciala Resort
Enhanced accessibility : New airlines routes e.g. Silverstone and Safarilink, KQ, Jambojet, Fly540
Enhanced packaging of information about the region – e.g. Siaya County
Airport Enhancements

2. WESTERN KENYA TOURISM CIRCUIT
ATTRACTIONS
EXAMPLES IN THE AREA
Parks, Reserves and Sanctuary
Kakamega forest Reserve, Ruma National Park (Roan antelope),
Ndere Island (birding, rock paintings and caves)
The Reserves are and Chepkitale near Mt. Elgon
- The sanctuary is Kisumu Impala
Mausoleum
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga (Bondo),
Kijana Wamalwa (Kitale) and
Tom Mboya ( Rusinga)
Museum
- Kisumu and Thimlich Ohinga UNESCO heritage site
Pre-historic sites and land formations
- Pre-historic sites are Kanam (Kendu Bay)
- Rocks include Mwibale (Bungoma), Weeping stones (Kakamega) Tabaka Soap stone (Kisii)and Kit Mikay (Kisumu Bondo rd)
- Waterfalls in the region are Gogo and Odino falls & Sondu Muriu Power Project
Beaches
Homabay - Rusinga Island & Takawiri Island
Water sports

3. Kenya’s Top experiences
Nature & Wildlife
Adventure & Sports
Cultural Communities
The Coast
Cities
Iconic Safaris
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural encounters / festivals
Swahili culture & dhow trips
Vibrant cities: Nairobi & Mombasa
Lakes of Kenya: Birding paradise
Running & Biking
Pristine beaches & charming towns
Based on Kenya’s Top experiences, Western Kenya features the following Nature & Wildlife, Iconic Safaris, Lakes of Kenya(Birding Paradise), Hiking and Trekking, Running & Biking, Cultural encounters, Pristine beaches, watersports and Vibrant City(Kisumu)
Western Kenya has numerous experiences that resonate with the Magicalkenya Top experiences
Establishment and training of County Tourism Experience teams – 42 Teams in Total
Teams to pick two experiences they can work with for KTB to enhance
Destination expert recruitment is ongoing.
The Wildebeest Migration
Kenya’s desert experience
Water sports and marine life in Kenya’s Coral Coast

4. Potential experiences
Category of Top Experiences
What’s available
Where
Nature & Wildlife
Ruma National Park, Birding in Kakamega Forest, Mt. Elgon N.P, L.Victoria, L. Simbi Nyaima, Tea farms in kericho
Adventure & Sports
Hiking, Trekking, Running, Biking – Kakamega forest, Mt. Elgon N.P, Nandi Hills, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega Marathon, Jumbo Charge in Mt. Elgon N.P
Cultural Communities
Cultural encounters, homestays, ecotourism and festivals in the region e.g. Isambo cultural festival and Rusinga Cultural Festival
The Lakeside
Beaches and water sports in Takawiri Island, Homabay, Rusinga Island, and Mfangano Island, fishing villages
Cities
Kisumu

5. … Experiences that occupy a person’s attention
Edutainment
To learn
Entertainment
To see
Escapist
To do
Aesthetic
To be there
Immersion
Absorption
Active participation
Passive participation
Edutainment Experiences: These experiences increase the customer's skills and enhance his/her knowledge through active participation. The following are some examples: Learning how to kitesurf at the Kenya Coast
Entertainment Experiences: These experiences entail watching the activities and/or performances of others. The customer is not actively involved in the creation of the entertainment, but the mind is actively engaged during the appreciation of the event. The following are some examples: Attend the Turkana Festival, Lamu Festival
Escapist Experiences: These experiences require that the customer actively participates in the events whether physically present or in a virtual environment. The customer shapes or contributes to the experience, which offers them a way of taking on a new persona. The following are some examples: Climbing Mount Kenya
Aesthetic Experiences: These experiences entail customer enjoyment of an enriched, unique physical design. The customer enjoys passively appreciating or “just being in a setting”. The following are some examples: Watching the sunset / sunrise in the savannah
…involvement in the experience

6. Experiences that are aligned to Magical Kenya's Brand Promise
Intimate and responsible connection with nature 1
Diversity of wildlife in breathtaking landscapes 2
Enriching cultural encounters with friendly people 3
Barefoot luxury, even in remote locations 4
Multi-experience coastline 5
Vibrant cities for passive and active pursuits 6
Exhilarating activities inland and on the coast 7

7. Sample Signature Experiences
Hero Tours
From Farm to Cup, Nandi Tea Tours
Walk with Kakamega Forest
Candlelit dinner on Lakeside
Attend the Rusinga Cultural Festival
Fishing Tours
Local dishes Experience
Learn Watersports at the Equator
Potential Signatures experiences – Golfing

8. Case Study: Local culinary delight
Arrival of the guests
Welcome cocktail as nyatiti player sings in the background soothing sounds from the region
Guests involved in selection of fish that they will eat and the various condiments
Join the expert chef in preparing the meal amidst laughter and stories of the local people. Guests get to actively learn how to prepare the local dish as well as the culture and lifestyle of the local community
Sundowner against the magnificent sunset as the chef does the final finishes to the dish before serving.
Guests move to the dinner venue, set at the jetty/ beach
Enjoyment of the expertly prepared local delights - alfresco dining as the sounds of the rhumba/ Benga music fills the air
Enjoy rhumba / Benga music as they dance the night away

9. Sample itineraries for the region
Adventure : Kisumu – Mount Elgon – Kakamega - Mfangano – Kisumu (Hiking, Walking, Fishing)
Birding Safari: Kisumu – Kakamega – Mfangano & Rusinga – Kisumu
Nature & Wildlife Safari: Kisumu – Kakamega Forest - Mt. Elgon - Saiwa Swamp N.P – Ruma National Park – Kisumu (Extend to the Maasai Mara, based on proximity)
City Breaks – Kisumu (Food, Music, Dance) – Day trips to Kakamega
Sports – Kisumu – Kakamega – Kitale (Golf, Walking, Hiking, Running)- Kisumu
Culture & Ecotourism – Kisumu – Rusinga (Rusinga Cultural Festival)- Mfangano Island (fishing villages and heritage)- Siaya Homestay experience and visit to Kogelo - Kisumu
Link to attractions and destinations already known
Direct entry through Kisumu – Open sky policy