Culture and Ecotourism.

Culture and ecotourism in Kenya are value added trips that are increasingly being sought after by the discerning traveler. Most of our safaris in this regard takes the traveler to the shores of Lake Victoria where the tourist interacts with the Luo, the Abagusii, and the Kuria people, delving into their customs and folklore.

Other trips take you further west to the land of the Abaluhyia people where bull fighting and Isikuti traditional dancers a sight to behold. This is also the home of Kakamega Forest, one of the last tropical forests on the Equator, with its richness in flora and fauna. Search for butterflies and rare orchids in this dense equatorial forest and learn about the conservation efforts of the local community.

ADS-CSWK-Cultural Safaris in Western Kenya

According to the Luo legend, these famous rocks form the place where Mikaye (the mother of Luo tribe) sheltered herself after a long journey down the Nile. The local people still believe that Mikaye can be spotted around this place to this today.

ADS-LMS-Lwanda Magere Stone:

Lwanda was a Luo warrior, it is believed that during his time he turn into a stone and that he could fight and nobody could kill him. At one time war broke between Luo and Kipsigis tribes, Lwanda - which means the rock - killed very many people during this war. After peace was negotiated Lwanda was given a woman from the kipsigis tribe whom he married. This woman learned and knew the secret of Lwanda’s life (His shadow was his true self). One day when Lwanda fall sick the woman was told by Lwanda to treat his own shadow. The war broke out again and the woman went back to tell her people the secret of Lwanda. On the day he died he killed so many people before they finally tried what what their daughter had told them, finally one of the warriors took his spear and threw it at the shadow of Lwanda who fell down and died but not before killing the person who had pierced him. He turned into a stone which can still be seen today. The people around this place believe that this is a true story.

ADS-RH-Ramogi Hills:

Ramogi (the father of Luo tribe ) settled here after long journey from Uganda with his people. You can visit this home which is now a forest. There is a stone which is believed was previously a bull which turned into a rock.

ADS-CR-Crying Rocks:

This is a place of ceremony. Climb the rocks and get the history of these rocks from local people. Situated on the western part of Kenya in Kakamega district, Khayega.

ADS-VCS-LAKE VICTORIA CULTURAL SAFARIS - 3 DAYS

Day 1 Nairobi Kisumu
Leave Nairobi to Kit - Mikaye via Kisumu arriving in the afternoon. Explore the legendary stone. Overnight at Kit -Mikaye.

Day 2 Kit - Mikaye - Ndere Island National Park
After breakfast leave for Kaloka beach as you walk down the lake you can chat with local people on the way. Arrive at the beach at around 9.00 am and then continue to the Island by boat. Explore in search of large crocodiles, impalas and swamp antelopes, birds etc. Ndere (meeting place) according to Luo legendary is the place Mikaye the mother of the Luo tribe rested after her long journey down the Nile valley. In the evening go fishing with the local fishermen. Overnight at Kaloka beach.

DAY 3 Kaloka-Kisumu-Nairobi
After breakfast leave for Kisumu by lake or by road to catch a boat to Nairobi, arriving in the evening.

ADS-ETCE-ECO TOURISM AND CULTURE EXPRESS - 4 DAYS
Day 1 Nairobi-Kisumu
Leave Nairobi for Kit -Mikaye via Kisumu. Kit Mikaye according to the Luo legendary story is the rock where Mikaye the (mother of the Luo tribe) sheltered herself after along journey. In the evening visit the famous rock on the surrounding village , dinner and overnight at Kisumu.

Day 2 Kit Mikaye-Ndere Island National Park
After breakfast trek to the lake shore then catch a boat to Ndere Island National park. According to Luo legendary story Ndere (meeting place) is where Mikaye the mother of the Luo rested after along journey down the Nile to the lake Victoria before reaching her home Kit- Mikaye. The day is spent in search of lakes largest crocodiles, monitor lizards, birds, water antelopes etc. Enjoy fishing in the evening and taste your catch for dinner overnight.

Day 3 Kaloka - Kisumu - kakamega
Leave Kaloka by boat or by road to Kisumu then proceed to Kakamega forest. Spend the evening exploring the famous tropical forest looking for colobus monkeys many types of reptiles and birds. Overnight in a lodge in the forest.

Day 4 Kakamega _ Nairobi
In the morning explore the forest and then leave in the early afternoon for the drive back to Nairobi.

ADS-KFV-KAKAMEGA FOREST & LAKE VICTORIA

Kakamega Forest and Lake Victoria Adventures (7 Days)

DAY 1 Nairobi - Kisumu
Leave Nairobi in the morning, have lunch at Kericho. Walk in the ADS plantations then drive via Lwanda Magere (the Luo warrior who was killed and turned into a stone) continue to Kisumu for dinner and overnight.

DAY 2 Ndere Island National Park - Kakamega
After breakfast drive to Kaloka beach, take a boat to Ndere Island national park see some game and bird life. Row the boat back to Kaloka beach. Drive via Kit- Mikaye ( This rock is where Mikaye the mother of Luo tribe sheltered herself after along journey down the Nile) drive back to Kisumu for Lunch. Kisumu tour takes you to Impala park, Kisumu Museum and Dunga beach are optional. Drive to Kakamega arriving late evening, dinner and overnight.

DAY 3 Kakamega Forest - Kisumu
After breakfast, full day exploration of Kakamega forest in search of birds, butterflies and animals such as debraza, colobus, blue and red tailed monkeys and olive baboons. Over 30 varieties of snakes including the deadly gaboon viper, Jamesons mamba and black mamba are found here among other animals. Great and very old indigenous trees, some are hundreds of years old. Drive to Kisumu for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4 Kisumu - Homa Bay
Leave Kisumu after breakfast, drive southwards through rice plantations in Kano plains to Odino falls after brief stop continue to Kendu bay for lunch. Proceed to lake Simbi Nyaima for bird viewing , continue to Kanjira and Kanam hot springs onto Homa bay for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5 Homa Bay - Rusinga
Drive to Rusinga, do a tour of the Island to the historical places including the museum (where the remains of the first man were found) by Doctor Louise Leakey, Tom Mboya Mauseleum where this accomplished nationalist cum- politician was burried. After his assassination on a Nairobi street. Return to Mbita for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6 Mbita - Ruma National Park
Depart after breakfast drive through hills and meandering road to Ruma national park with a picnic lunch do game drive then drive out to Thim Lich Ohinga onto Gogo falls then to Awendo for dinner and overnight

DAY 7 Awendo - Nairobi
Depart Awendo, drive past sugar plantations through the Great Rift Valley back to the city of Nairobi.