Kisumu sits on the shore of Lake Victoria in western Kenya, the country’s third-largest city and its main gateway to Africa’s largest lake, shared between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The city’s relaxed lakeside atmosphere and busy markets give it a character distinct from Nairobi or the coastal towns further east.

Boat excursions on Lake Victoria reveal fishing communities, birdlife and small islands, while the lake’s sheer scale, more like an inland sea than a typical lake, gives a sense of the region’s importance as a source of livelihood for millions of people around its shores. Sunset views over the water are a highlight for visitors staying in the city.

Kisumu is reached by flight or road from Nairobi, and while less visited than Kenya’s safari parks or coast, it offers a distinctive lakeside stop for travellers interested in a different side of the country, away from the main tourist circuits.