Attractions in Siaya County
13. Siungu Beach
From Kadimu passing the turnoff into El Molo Crocodile Park, built at the edge of the headland between Kadimu and Mageta Island, you get to Usenge Centre and the jumping-off place to Siungu Beach, a lovely 2 kms long sandy beach on a naturally formed bay. Siungu Beach is separated from Lake Sare by a narrow tract of land over which the C27 Kisian-Usenge Road passes and winds up, in 10 kms, at Oseko fishing beach. Of Siaya’s 33 undeveloped beaches, Siungu Beach, nicknamed ‘Mombasa Raha’, holds the most promise as the fastest-developing beach in Siaya County. It is nonchalantly securing the attention of both hotel investors and local tourists. And things are looking up that Siungu Beach will be the next big delighter in Siaya. At the moment, Crystal Charlotte Beach Resort, with its grandiose untarnished sandy beach, manicured lawn and garden with a backdrop of sweeping hillscapes full with African simplicity has been the most successful at attracting visitors to Siungu Beach. It’s found 2 kms from Usenge.
14. Lake Sare
The 5 km2 Lake Sare within Yala Swamp Wetland is widely acknowledged as a key biosphere alongside Lakes Kanyaboli and Namboyo for its safeguarding and preservation of the cichlid fish species of Lake Victoria and harbouring the rare and endangered Sitatunga antelope. Among the triad of satellite lakes in Siaya a total of 28 species of fish, belonging to ten families, have already been recorded; Haplochromine cichlids being the most diverse group followed by Barbus. The endemic Oreochromis esculentus is the dominant species among the tilapiines particularly in Lake Kanyaboli. Lake Sare has the highest species richness and diversity. Some of the interesting things at Lake Sare include exploring the river mouth of Yala Swamp into Lake Victoria – as Lake Sare discharges directly into Lake Victoria, walking along the papyrus fringed swamps, birding, prospecting Goye Beach and Siungu Beaches and exploring Ramogi Hill and its sacred sites.
15. Yala Swamp Wetland
Standing further, up one of the many hillocks that from a low ridge around the 175 km2 Yala Swamp Wetland, its scale and beauty are wondrous, perhaps even stupefying. From here, the flat cauldron-shaped evergreen sward, comprised of patches of bogs, marshes and swamp, always makes an impression. A good pair of binoculars will better this experience ten-fold. Yala Swamp, noted as one of the most important wetlands found within Kenya, is set along the northeastern shoreline of Lake Victoria forming the mouth of Rivers Yala and Nzoia. It also harbours three fresh water satellite lakes – Kanyaboli, Namboyo and Sare. The birds are the star here and the rich biosphere of the Yala Swamp is classified as one of Kenya’s Important Birding Area (IBA). Much to the delight of birders, it is almost impossible to keep up with the diverse and fascinating species of birds at Yala, estimated to be upward of 100 to include the endemic species like great snapper, baillor’s crane, papyrus Gonolek, papyrus canary and yellow warbler. Travellers to Yala Swamp Wetland should also look forward to the vistas of the open water of Lake Victoria from sundry vantage points spread out around the wetland, the cultural passages to Swila and Seje, and boating at Lake Kanyaboli.
16. Got Ramogi
Easily recognized by its wooded and flat-topped taper hump, Got Ramogi sways huge cultural gist among the Luo Community and it is epitomized as a fount of their communal origin and divine protection. Also known as the Sacred Ramogi Hills, it is culturally-thought to be the foremost site where Ramogi (Luo hero of origin) first settled and thrived. Safe to say, Got Ramogi is the most important cultural shrine in Siaya and a trip to this region should not omit sighting the hill and better still exploring the landmark. Got Ramogi or Ramogi Hill epitomizes the Luo Community’s cultural hegemony and sphere of confluence within the Lake Victoria region as it migrated the ‘Bal El Ghazar’ along the River in Sudan. Traversed by the Equator, it has several sacred sites and objects associated with Luo cultural beliefs. Historically, Got Ramogi has been utilized as a shrine for many communal rites like ritualistic animal oblation and divine-providence by the elders. A guided trip along its walking trails goes past a great many of these the cultural sites which contribute hugely to the cultures of Luo. Got Ramogi is located 40 kms west of Siaya along Ratuoro to Yimbo Road through Bar Olengo.
17. Sacred Olua Tree
Of the floral diversity seen at Ramogi Hill, roughly estimated at over 500 plant species, none, perhaps, is as reverenced as the Sacred Olua Tree – a 30 metres evergreen ‘divine tree’ – said to be the mother of all the motley plant-life on the iconic sacred hummock of Got Ramogi. Also found near the Sacred Olua Tree are copious other sacred shrines, that include; Asumbi, Alego, Pong and Luanda Laure Sacred Rocks and the traditional Humba (clay mines). To the north and east are aspects of Yala Swamp and Lake Kanyaboli with Lake Sare in the south.
18. Asumbi Rock
The Asumbi Rock at Ramogi Hill, locally referred to as the ‘Agulu Dhoge Ariyo’, translating as ‘pot with two mouths’, is thought to have been the source of water for Ramogi where he and his family harnessed water, and for which reason the water from the Asumbi Rock has veritable medicinal value for the communities living around the hill. Just a short distance from the Asumbi Rock are several time-honoured traditional huts symbolic of the former residence of Ramogi’s family. Callers to Got Ramogi Hill who aim for the Asumbi Rock would also be interested in exploring the mythical “sacred lake” locals believe existed in the distant past and touring “Mwanda Point” which marks the place where Ramogi first entered this area; after migrating cross-border from neighbouring Uganda.
Abiri Kenya 