Migori County is located within the sugar belt wetlands of western Kenya and is basically in the heart of the African tropics. However, the county enjoys nice weather due to the high altitude and the breeze from Lake Victoria. Demographically, Migori County is the most numerous vicinity of Nyanza after Kisumu.
Residents and visitors visiting Migori County have access to a wide range of tourist attractions as well as recreation centres where they can spend their free time as well as use for family day outs. Here is a list of the best places to visit in Migori County, in no particular order.
Best Places To Visit In Migori County
1. Ibencho Hills Sanctuary
Ibencho Hills Sanctuary is an excellent private wildlife conservancy located at the south-west borderline between Kenya and Tanzania at an altitude of 1,277 meters, in the larger Migori County. Ibencho Hills boasts of a near-perfect microclimate, being part of the Mara ecosystem. This sanctuary is home to over 200 species of birds and a reasonable population of resident animals.
Ibencho Hills Sanctuary came into existence in 2017 with the realisation that an alarming decline among animal populations like the Spotted Hyenas, Leopards, Olive Baboons, Vervet Monkeys, and antelopes was being recorded. Massive indigenous trees that were a source of alternative medicine and also made Ibencho Hills a rain catchment were also being felled by the hour, to clear land for human settlement and farming.
2. Gogo Falls
Gogo Falls is an archaeological site located in the Lake Victoria Basin. This site is important to archaeology as it includes some of the earliest appearances of artefacts and domestic animals in the area. The findings at the site help to reconstruct the later pre-history around Lake Victoria. Artefacts found at the site included pottery and iron artefacts. Some of the cultural traditions of the people who lived near Gogo Falls were discovered through these artefacts.
The archaeological site is located on the Kanyamkago Hillside, near the modern dam on the West Bank of the Kuja River. The Kanyamkago Hills were formed out of pre-Cambrian rocks. The modern dam is pretty close to Gogo Falls but it did not form any of the falls in the area, the falls were all formed naturally. The falls were an excellent place to collect fish because they offered easy access to those who resided there.
There were many different items excavated at Gogo Falls, including ash Midden, Akira Pottery, Kansyore Pottery, Elementeitan Pottery, Urewe Pottery, iron artefacts, regular shell beads, ostrich eggshell beads, faunal remains, stone artefacts, charcoal. The stone artefacts include obsidian, quartz, small microliths, and modified blades of different sizes.
3. Nyumba ya Mungu & Mugabo Caves
Near the shores of Lake Victoria, in Muhuru Bay, Migori County, there are two places worth visiting: the Nyumba ya Mungu and Mugabo caves, which are the perfect place for hiking. The area above the Nyumba ya Mungu caves offers a kaleidoscopic view of the lake. However, the Mugabo caves are not well known and, therefore, are not frequented by tourists. The two sites are located less than 3 km away.
However, they offer a perfect place to spend time alone, whether only to enjoy some peace, meditate, or pray. The caves are large enough for a human to comfortably enter. Love birds also spend quality time in the thick and rocky surroundings after a visit to the caves. At the top of the caves, there are large flat stones that offer, not only a panoramic view of Lake Victoria but also a glimpse of the famous Migingo Island in the distance.
Depending on the time of your visit, the lake’s waters may be calm or agitated, but seeing it from the top of the rocks produces a feeling of calm. The people of Muhuru Bay, the custodians of the caves, say that Suba artefacts were preserved in the caverns until the early 1990s but gradually disappeared due to a lack of attention at that time.
4. Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site
Thimlich Ohinga archaeological site, also known as “frightening dense forest” in the Dholuo language, is a local Nilotic group that occupies the region. The enclosure, built of loose stones and blocks without dressing or mortar, was probably built in the 16th century. The archaeological record of materials found within the site goes beyond 500 years. Thimlich Ohinga is indeed the largest and best preserved of these types of traditional enclosures. It is an exceptional example of the tradition of massive dry-stone walled enclosures, typical of the first pastoral communities in the Lake Victoria Basin, which occupied the location from the 16th to the mid-20th century. Thimlich Ohinga is the latest designated world heritage site in Kenya, which was done in 2018.
5. Mugabo Beach in Muhuru-Bay (L.Victoria)
Mugabo area and the larger Muhuru Bay are made up of beautiful boulders, some stretching into the water of the surrounding Lake Victoria. The boulders litter the lake’s waters, creating a beautiful scene as they emerge from the clear blue waters off Mugabo Beach. To get a taste of this scenic view, you have to hire a boat ride from fishermen, whom you will find at the Mugabo centre. Prices for the boat rides vary from person to person, but how you will be charged will depend on your negotiation skills. For this trip, you will pay Ksh 200 (roughly 2 dollars) for a one-hour ride around Mugabo Beach.
6. Treat House Resort
The Treat House Resort in Rongo town is the ideal pit-stop for your road trip upcountry. The evergreen lawns and wide-open spaces are awesome if your kids like to run around and roll on the grass. The resort’s family rooms on the new wing are spacious enough for a family getaway. The hotel has expansive grounds suitable for hosting events and plenty of rooms, with rates ranging between Ksh 2500 and Ksh 10,000 per night.
The swimming pool is a welcome relief for a quick cool-off session on one of those hot afternoons. There is also a kid’s swimming pool, which has a dedicated kids’ playground next to it. Your kids will love some fun on the swings, slides, and trampoline right before you hit the road again.
7. Macalder Gold Mines
Macalder Gold Mines is a mining site located in the Macalder area of Migori County, Kenya. These mines have a history of gold mining activity dating back several decades. The area gained prominence during the colonial era when the British explored and exploited gold resources in various parts of Kenya. Visit this place to get a glimpse of how small-scale artisan gold mining happens.
8. Got Kwer Shrine
Got Kwer is short for Got Kwero richo (Dholuo for Hill of Repentance). The serenity of Got Kwer in Migori County, the headquarters of the Legio Maria sect, is all too obvious. There is a sense of tranquillity as one walks up the 20-acre hill on which the shrine sits, which has become a religious tourist attraction.
Got Kwer is commonly referred to as Calvary since its founder, Ondeto, is buried there. The site has different shrines, each with an altar. On these, they place images of Jesus, his mother Mary, Ondeto, and Maria. The sect is a mix of Catholic and Luo cultural beliefs. Most of its leaders live at the site, while dead ones are also buried there.
The site has now been upgraded, with a vast stone structure, the tomb of the sect’s founder, Ondeto, who died 28 years ago, nearing completion. The county and national government have installed street lights at the hilly, rocky site, bringing life to the rural community and enabling the faithful to pray even after nightfall. The county has also improved access roads to the site.
9. Sori Karungu
Sori is a charming fishing village on the shores of Lake Victoria. It’s known for its beautiful beach and fresh fish. You can also take boat trips from here to explore nearby islands.
10. Migori Airstrip
Migori airstrip sits near Migori town, a cosmopolitan urban area and one of the fastest-growing towns in Kenya. It is a viable commercial centre, not only in the Lake region but in the country as well. The airstrip is approximately 22 kilometres from the Kenya-Tanzania border, 8.3 kilometres from Migori town, and sits on a 1.2-hectare piece of land.
Kenya Airport Authority rehabilitated Migori Airstrip as part of its strategy to open the region to the country’s growing aviation industry. The renovation, which was done in 2 phases, included extending the runway from 1.1 km to 1.2 km & tarmacking it to the required standards. The first flight departed Nairobi’s Wilson Airport on September 13, 2023, for Lichota Airstrip in Migori County. Dash 8 Q-100 is deployed on the route, with a passenger seating capacity of 37. Local Airline Skyward Express operates on the route three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with airfares starting from as low as Ksh 7,600.
11. Sironga Beach
Located along the shores of Lake Victoria, Sironga Beach is a peaceful spot for relaxation and swimming. It’s an excellent place to unwind and enjoy the lake’s beauty.
12. Lake Victoria
The county’s western border is defined by Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake. You can enjoy fishing, boat rides, and scenic views along its shores.
13. Migori Town
Explore the county’s largest town, Migori, and experience its bustling markets, local cuisine, and vibrant culture. You can also visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral, a prominent landmark in the town.
