Busia County: Wetlands, Hills and Culture

Busia County can be considered through different themes when planning a trip: Yala Wetlands, with its wetlands, birdlife and waterways; the Samia Hills, with their activities; and cultural sites in Amagoro and the Kakapel National Monument in Teso North. When looking for a hotel, you can prioritize your options according to which of these interests matter most for your trip.

Yala Wetlands: Water and Birdlife

Yala Wetlands is a transboundary swamp between Busia and Siaya. It filters water from the Nzoia and Yala rivers, which flow into Lake Victoria. The swamp and its connection to the rivers are therefore central features. More than 300 bird species live in Yala Wetlands; this number may change. Canoe trips travel through narrow waterways surrounded by tall papyrus. Sitatungas can occasionally be spotted in the water. Water filtration and river connections describe the wetlands as a landscape, while canoe trips and occasional sitatunga sightings are specific nature experiences. If you plan to take a canoe trip, please check availability in advance.

Samia Hills: Hills and Activities

The Samia Hills include Odiado, Funyula, Dahiro, Nabuganda and Shamakhene hills. Activities available in the Samia Hills include picnicking, worship, camping, hiking and sightseeing. The hills are also designated as an Important Bird Area. Compared with Yala Wetlands, the focus here is on the group of hills and the activities, while waterways, papyrus and birdlife define the nature theme there. The activities also appeal to different interests: picnicking and camping offer time outdoors, hiking and sightseeing involve exercise and visiting places, while worship offers a different focus.

Cultural Sites in Amagoro and Teso North

Amagoro offers a look at Teso culture. The Museum of Teso Culture in Amagoro is the first museum of Teso culture in Kenya. The Kiwimbi Library is also in Amagoro and has more than 35,000 volumes; the collection may change. The Aterite Pottery Group works to revive and promote traditional pottery in the local community. These cultural sites therefore have distinct focuses: the museum represents Teso culture, the library offers a large collection of books, and the group works to revive traditional pottery. You can choose what to explore when planning your trip based on the theme that interests you most.

Another archaeological site is the Kakapel National Monument in Teso North, Busia County. It features ancient rock art and caves. Unlike the Museum of Teso Culture in Amagoro, Kakapel has an archaeological focus; the museum is defined by its focus on Teso culture.

Another Cultural Complex in Kenya

Across the wider destination of Kenya, the Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests form a distinct cultural complex. They comprise ten separate forest areas stretching about 200 kilometers along the coast and contain the remains of fortified villages of the Mijikenda, known as Kayas. These were established from the 16th century onward and abandoned by the 1940s. The Kayas are considered sacred places and homes of the ancestors, and are cared for by councils of elders.

Discover more destinations: Busia, Malaba, Bumala, Kiambu, Samburu, Central, Narok District and Kitui County.

Go to the main travel overview: Kenya.