You've gazed in awe at the wildebeest migration, lazed on one of Kenya's many white sandy beaches and eaten nyama choma galore in Nairobi. So, what's next in your quest for authentic Kenyan experiences with the family?
Consider visiting  Homa Bay this holiday season. This county (and eponymous bay) in the former Nyanza province, is  on the south shore of Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria. An 8 hour drive from Nairobi, Homa Bay is a great off-the-beaten-track destination. Here's a sample of what it has to offer:
Ruma National Park
Officially established as a National Park in 1966, Ruma National Park is a 45-minute drive from Homa Bay town. The park protects the only indigenous population of the rare Roan antelope in East Africa.
Ruma, home to over 400 species of birds, is also a bird-watching paradise. It's the only protected area in Kenya where the globally threatened blue swallow, an intra-African migrant, is regularly spotted. KWS offers affordable accommodation at their cozy tourist cottages inside the park. Most of the proceeds support the local community. Affectionately known as the "Valley of the Roan'', Ruma is quite remote and pristine so well worth a visit.
Ruma National Park is the only terrestrial (land) park in the former Nyanza Province.
Abasuba Community Peace Museum
The Abasuba Community Peace Museum was founded in 2000, is located in Ramba, Waware, Suba North District, Homa Bay. The Suba (Abasuba) are a heterogeneous Bantu group of people in Kenya with an amalgamation of clans drawn from their main tribes Ganda people, Luhya people, and Soga who speak the Suba language. In Kenya, the Abasuba are one of the smallest ethnic groups in Kenya and are considered a "dying tribe" having assimilated with the Luo. 
The Abasuba community Peace Museum  offers exhibits and diverse cultural and literary programs to the community. It is where Abasuba can visit to discover their roots and where people of all ethnic backgrounds can see how the story of the Abasuba people plays a vital part within the rich cultural symphony that is Kenya. 
Takawiri Island
Takawiri Island is a hypsographic island located in Lake Victoria (A hypsographic island is an island located within a lake). Located in Mbita, Homa Bay County; Takawiri can be accessed from Homabay via the Mbita causeway to Rusinga Island Lodge where you can embark on a motorized boat to the island using a "Waterbus". Takawiri has amazing white, sandy beaches reminiscent of those on the South Coast of Kenya. The surrounding lake is teeming with nile perch and tilapia.
Takawiri is a hidden getaway for nature lovers and a bird watchers haven; thick-knees, terns, egrets amongst others can be seen foraging along the shores of the Island. Luxurious accommodation is offered at the Takawiri Beach resort. Book in advance by calling 0704 371033.
Tom Mboya Mausoleum
Tom Mboya Mausoleum was built in honour of Tom Mboya. He was a great trade unionist and articulate politician in newly independent Kenya. He is well known for coordinating the Kennedy Student Airlifts in the late 50s and early 60s that saw hundreds of young Kenyans fly to America to pursue higher education. Some prominent beneficiaries of the airlift include Barack Obama Snr & Wangari Maathai. 
A number of Tom Mboya's personal items are on display at the mausoleum in Rusinga Island. They include his beloved black & white fly whisk and a briefcase which he was carrying when he was assassinated on 5th July 1969, awards given to him by leaders from various nations, motivation books, speeches he gave at various forums, and a collection of newspaper cuttings featuring him. The Mausoleum is open daily to the public from 9.00am to 6.00pm.
Simbi Nyaima
In the Luo dialect it means "the sunken village".  "Simbi Nyaima" is a volcanic lake in the Karachuonyo area of Homa Bay County. The people living around Simbi Nyaima believe the  saline and sulphurous lake has important curative qualities.You can smell the lake from kilometers away.
Lake Simbi Nyaima is also a seasonal landing place for flamingos during their migration from other places such as Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Lake Natron and other lakes in the Rift Valley. 
Geologists date the formation of the volcano's reservoir to around the 15th century, although a strong earthquake, perhaps in 1860, with a consequent eruption of lava, could have modified the area. 
*Image: Takawiri Island

About The Author

Author
Maureen Kasuku

Maureen is our resident cat lady and Beyoncé stan. She writes about spas, brunch and ballet recitals but has never been to any. Moonlights as a social justice activist in her spare time. She knows things and is obnoxiously opinionated on the internet but not in real life

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