Kisumu Museum


The town museum is fairly old fashioned, but includes a lot of information. It's best enjoyed with a guide, who can give you more background on the three sections. The first covers western Kenya’s three principal linguistic groups: Luo, Bantu and Kalenjin. The second is a traditional Luo homestead. The last section is a small and rather sad aquarium displaying creatures from the lake and a reptile house holding examples of all the local snakes you don’t want to meet.

Guides can be arranged at the entrance. They're free but a tip (count on around KSh200 to KSh300) is always appreciated.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Kisumu Main Market

0.46 MILES

Kisumu’s main market is one of Kenya’s most animated markets and certainly one of its largest – it spills out onto the surrounding roads. If you’re…

2. Impala Sanctuary

1.62 MILES

On the road to Dunga, this 1-sq-km sanctuary is home to a small impala herd and provides important grazing grounds for local hippos. In addition to the…

3. Ndere Island National Park

18.7 MILES

Gazetted as a national park in 1986, this 4.2-sq-km island has never seen tourism take off. It is forested and very beautiful, housing a variety of bird…

4. Kakamega Forest Reserve

21.83 MILES

Kakamega Forest Reserve is the more degraded area of the forest, yet it's the more popular area with tourists. The five-hour return hike to Lirhanda Hill…

5. Crying Stone of Ilesi

23.88 MILES

The Crying Stone of Ilesi is a local curiosity perched on a ridge 3km south of town. The formation, looking like a solemn head resting on weary shoulders,…

6. Lirhanda Hill Lookout

24.05 MILES

Depending on where you're staying, it can be about a five-hour return hike to Lirhanda Hill. Being there for sunrise or sunset is highly recommended.

7. Market

27.05 MILES

It's worth poking your nose into the town’s municipal market. It operates every day but is at its loudest on Saturday and Wednesday mornings when, as if…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "kenya/western-kenya/kisumu/attractions/kisumu-museum/a/poi-sig/492344/355348",
      "position": "superzone"
    }