Kisumu, Lake Victoria - Western Kenya
The Imperial Hotel Kisumu is situated in the centre of Kisumu, Kenya's third city, and is within easy reach of all the attractions of the city. Kisumu is 350 km north of Nairobi on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Location and climate
Kisumu is 350 kilometres north of Nairobi on the shores of Lake Victoria.
By road: Kisumu is 350 km from Nairobi, 53 km from Kakamega, 83 km from Kericho, 121 km from Kisii and 142 km from Homa Bay.
By air: the trip by air to Nairobi takes around one hour and there are regular flights operated by Kenya Airways.
By water: Kisumu is linked by ferry with Kendu Bay, Homa Bay and Mbita (as well as to neighbouring countries).
Climate: hot and humid all year round.
The Background
Western Kenya, land of diversity
Western Kenya has it all. To the far west lie the mighty inland waters of Lake Victoria, the world's second largest freshwater lake after Canada's Lake Superior, and the regional capital of Kisumu .
Kisumu is Kenya's third largest city and provides a natural base for touring the region. Local attractions include: Kisumu Museum (open 8.30am-6.00pm daily), The Kisumu Impala Sanctuary (open 6.00am -7.00pm daily) and Ndere Island National Park (accessible by boat, open 6.00am - 7.00pm daily).
South-west of Kisumu, lying in the waters of Lake Victoria, are the islands of Rusinga (where Mary Leakey discovered the skull of Proconsul Africanus , a primitive anthropoid ape that lived on Rusinga three million years ago) and Mfangano (a centre of pre-history famous for its rock art).
A short distance to the north of Kisumu is the famous Kakamega Forest Reserve , a unique patch of lowland rainforest renowned for its abundant wildlife.
And travelling further north, but still within easy reach, are the contrasting wildernesses of the vast and rugged Mount Elgon National Park on the Ugandan border, famous for its bat-filled caves and salt-mining elephants, and Kenya's smallest National Park, Saiwa Swamp , the sanctuary of the semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope.
Lake Victoria
Few inland waters measure up to Lake Victoria, which has a surface area of 68,800 sq km, of which Kenya claims only 3,785 sq km. The lake is also bordered by Uganda and Tanzania. Unlike the lakes further west, Lake Victoria is not part of the Rift Valley system and is wide and shallow, being only 80 meters deep. The world's second largest freshwater lake (after Canada's Lake Superior), Lake Victoria is fed mainly by rainwater and drains more than 6,450 km to the north, via the Nile, to the Mediterranean Sea. First settled by the Luo peoples some five centuries ago, Lake Victoria was ‘discovered' as a potential source of the Nile by the English explorer John Hanning Speke in 1858.
Accommodation
The hotel offers: 1 State Suite, 3 Executive Suites, 44 Deluxe Rooms and 22 Standard Rooms. There are also 12 fully-furnished apartments . Each room offers: twin beds, ensuite bathroom, telephone and cable TV. Deluxe rooms also offer queen sized beds, airconditioning and minibars. The hotel also offers; internet access, secure carpark, exlusive resident's bar, a swimming pool, a gym and a sauna.
Dining and bars
The hotel offers a wide range of dining opportunities including a central dining room, bar and snack area around the central pool.
Child-friendly
The hotel welcomes children.
Conference and event facilities
The hotel offers four confference rooms. The Mayfair accommodates up to 300, The Shalimar up to 100, the Residents Lounge up to 80 and the Fish Eagle up to 25. Ammenities include: Audio-visual equipment and delegate catering.
What to see and do
The hotel has its own central pool. Boating and fishing can be arranged, as can golfing.
Imperial Hotel Kisumu - Lake Victoria • Kenya Lake City Hotels & Resorts • Other Travel Accommodation
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