Writer; Emily Wekulo
The western region of Kenya remains one of the country’s best-kept secrets, a verdant tapestry of rolling hills, ancient rainforests, majestic mountains, and rich cultural heritage far from the well-trodden safari circuits.
This enchanting journey unveils the splendour of Western Kenya, where traditions remain vibrant and landscapes untouched by mass tourism invite the discerning traveller to explore.
The Gateway to Western Kenya
As dawn breaks over Nairobi, the journey westward begins along the magnificent Great Rift Valley escarpment. The drive is an experience, with stunning viewpoints overlooking vast landscapes stretching beyond the horizon.
Many travellers opt for a private vehicle arranged through Come Travel Kenya Limited, whose experienced drivers navigate these routes with practised ease, sharing stories of the land as you journey forward. Going through Kisumu, The Nandi Escarpment, punctuated by the lush green of Kenyas Tea Farms.
Six hours of picturesque driving delivers you to Kakamega, where the air changes—becoming richer, more humid, and saturated with the earthy scent of Kenya’s only remaining rainforest.
Check into the Rondo Retreat Center, a colonial-era gem nestled at the forest’s edge, where wooden cottages with wrap-around verandas offer a perfect introduction to western Kenya’s tranquil ambience.
Kakamega Forest – Africa’s Easternmost Rainforest
Morning arrives with a chorus of birdsong unlike anywhere else in Kenya. After a breakfast of local fruits and freshly baked bread, meet your guide from the Kakamega Forest Tour Guides Association.
What follows is a journey of wonder as you explore the last remnant of the ancient Guineo-Congolian rainforest that once stretched across the continent.
The forest hosts over 400 butterfly species that dance around visitors, while the red-tailed monkeys swing through the canopy overhead.
Your guide points out medicinal plants used by local communities for generations, and if fortune smiles, you might spot the rare De Brazza monkey with its distinctive white beard.
For lunch, local women prepare traditional mushroom stew, a delicacy harvested from the forest following age-old sustainable practices. The mushrooms, seasoned with Indigenous herbs, offer flavours that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
Cultural Immersion in Kakamega
The heart of Luhya culture unfolds before your eyes in Kakamega. Visit the Crying Stone of Ilesi, a towering natural formation where water continually seeps down its face, resembling tears. Local legends speak of spirits dwelling within the stone, and your guide explains how it has become a site of cultural significance and pilgrimage.
One of Western Kenya’s most spectacular cultural experiences awaits—traditional bullfighting. Unlike Spanish bullfighting, the Luhya version pits bull against the bull in a display of strength that has been practised for centuries.
The atmosphere is electric as villagers gather to cheer their favourite animals, and the whole experience is accompanied by traditional music and dance.
As evening falls, savour the region’s famous smoked meat, tender and flavorful from hours of slow smoking over indigenous wood. The Kakamega Golf Club offers not only a challenging course but also a restaurant where this local delicacy is served to perfection, alongside views of the sunset over the undulating landscape.
Bungoma – Land of Circumcision Rituals and Sacred Sites
Travelling northward, Come Travel Kenya ensures a comfortable journey to Bungoma County, where ancient traditions remain vibrant. Visit the Nabuyole Falls, where the waters of the Nzoia River cascade down rocky outcrops, creating a natural spectacle that features prominently in local mythology.
The region is known for its biennial circumcision ceremonies, and if your timing aligns, you might witness (from a respectful distance) the preparations for these important rites of passage that transform boys into men.
Cultural guides arranged through Come Travel Kenya provide context and ensure your presence is welcomed.
Accommodation at the Bungoma Tourist Hotel offers modern comforts while maintaining the authentic charm of western Kenya. From its rooftop restaurant, the views of Mt. Elgon’s silhouette against the evening sky foreshadow the adventures that await in the northern reaches of this region.
Border Life in Busia
The journey continues to Busia, Kenya’s vibrant border town with Uganda. Here, the energy shifts as you encounter the dynamic cross-border culture, where trade and traditions flow freely between nations. The Busia Cultural Center showcases the region’s diverse heritage through artefacts, photographs, and interactive displays.
For lunch, the border markets offer a chance to sample delicacies like obusuma (ugali) with indigenous vegetables prepared in ways unique to this region, where Kenyan and Ugandan culinary traditions meld seamlessly.
The afternoon brings a visit to the Alupe Botanical Gardens, where researchers have collected and preserved plant species from across Western Kenya. The gardens provide a peaceful setting to learn about the region’s biodiversity and the traditional uses of various plants.
As evening falls, retire to the Itoya Hotel, where the rooms offer comfort after a day of cultural exploration, and the restaurant serves fresh tilapia sourced from local fish farms—a taste of the region’s innovative approaches to sustainable food production.
Mt. Elgon National Park – Caves, Hiking, and Botanical Wonders
The majestic Mt. Elgon, an ancient extinct volcano straddling the Kenya-Uganda border, rises before you as your journey continues. Come Travel Kenya arranges for specialized guides who lead you through the mountain’s unique ecosystem.
Exploration begins with the Kitum Cave, where elephants venture deep underground to excavate salt-rich rocks with their tusks. The cave, extending 200 meters into the mountain, offers a surreal experience as your guide explains how generations of elephants have shaped this underground world.
For those seeking adventure, hiking along the lower slopes reveals diverse landscapes from mountain forests to bamboo zones. The trail to Chepkitale Caldera rewards with panoramic views across Kenya and into Uganda.
Nearby, vast flower farms carpet the fertile volcanic soils with colour. A guided tour of one of these farms demonstrates how Western Kenya has become a key player in the global flower industry while implementing sustainable practices.
Overnight accommodations at the Mt. Elgon Lodge provide rustic comfort and authenticity, with cottages nestled among ancient trees and a restaurant specializing in hearty mountain cuisine—perfect fortification after a day of exploration.
Kitale – Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Beauty
Your western Kenya odyssey brings you to Kitale, Kenya’s agricultural heartland. Begin at the Saiwa Swamp National Park, Kenya’s smallest national park but home to the rare sitatunga antelope. These semi-aquatic creatures can be observed from the park’s raised wooden walkways as they navigate the papyrus marshes.
The nearby Kitale Nature Conservancy offers further wildlife encounters in a protected environment that showcases the region’s commitment to conservation. Here, educational programs highlight the delicate balance between agriculture and wildlife protection that defines Western Kenya’s approach to sustainability.
No visit to Kitale would be complete without exploring the Kitale Museum, which houses not only historical artefacts but also extensive agricultural exhibits that tell the story of how this region became Kenya’s breadbasket.
As your exploration of Western Kenya concludes, Come Travel Kenya arranges your journey back to Nairobi, whether by road or via a flight from Kitale Airstrip. The return journey offers time for reflection on a week filled with experiences that few international visitors ever encounter—the authentic heart of Kenya that beats strongly in its western regions.
Creating Your Western Kenya Adventure
The journey described represents just one possible path through Western Kenya’s rich tapestry of experiences. Come Travel Kenya Limited specializes in crafting personalized journeys that can be adjusted to accommodate specific interests, time constraints, or preferred travel styles.
Whether you’re drawn to the region’s biodiversity, and cultural heritage, or simply seeking experiences beyond Kenya’s better-known destinations, Western Kenya offers a refreshing alternative to the standard safari circuit.
Here, where traditions remain vibrant and landscapes largely untouched by mass tourism, travellers find the authentic Kenya that many seek but few discover.
With expert guides, comfortable accommodations, and seamless logistics handled by Come Travel Kenya Limited, your Western Kenya adventure promises memories that will linger long after you’ve returned home—a journey through Kenya’s hidden gems that reveals the country’s true diversity and depth.
