About KATO (and visit www.katokenya.org)
The Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) is Kenya’s foremost tourism trade association, representing the interests of over 250 of the leading and most experienced professional tour operators in Kenya. Our members are amongst the finest safari operators in the world, and offer a wide range of services that can be broadly divided into the following categories: -

Air safaris
Incentive travel group safaris
Custom safaris for individual travellers
Camping safaris (luxury & budget)
Indian Ocean & Coast holidays
Cultural & Community Safaris
Golf Safaris
Agro Safaris
Special interest safaris (e.g. mountaineering, deep sea fishing, horse riding)
VISION:

To be a leading Tourism Trade Association in the Region, offering world class services through its members to the traveling public.
MISSION:

To uphold the good reputation of Kenya as a tourist destination by ensuring that Kenyan Tour Operators maintain the highest possible standards of service and value.

The worst thing that can ever happen is having a chilly morning and you forgot your sweater at home, but that was not taking me back to the house because I had a lot of things to put in place before the event began… participants had to be registered, tents pitched, the lake marked, media members registered… there was a lot to do but the committee members had it all in hand and delivered on all:  big up guys, none of this would have happened without you.

The main agenda for the event was to raise awareness for the ‘Save the Sitatunga antelope’ cause – the special breed that is found in the impala sanctuary next to Lake Victoria. The turnout was impressive and I have never seen as big a social gathering in Kisumu!  The participants from all the beaches came prepared – and as the races commences, I came to the conclusion that only the chosen ones in this life are able to do the rowing!  If I do ever choose to go over to the participant side, I will chose Ndere women’s team because they scooped the first prize of 40,000/= and for the men Usenge took the trophy and the money home. For the second team the prize was a trophy and 25,000/= for both men and women and it was taken by Luanda Kotieno Men and the Ndere women, “GO Ndere women”.  The 3^rd position was taken by men from Luanda Kotieno and women from Usenge both teams walked home with 15,000/= and a trophy.

There were many more activities to spice up the day like a dance performance from Yawa, a poem from Arya Primary school, a Skit from Joel Omino Primary school, a song from a local ladies singing group and not forgetting performance from the municipal choir.

We were honored to have the director of KWS Mr. Julius Kipng’etich in our midst, Honorable Shakeel Shabbir, Central Nyanza Regional Commissioner Mr. Arthur Osia, Kisumu Town East District Commissioner Mr Mabea Mogaka and Mr Daniel Okumu, the Lake Victoria Tourism Association chairman.
Others were investor Hon Jared Kangwana whose Monarch Investments’ 24-bed eco-lodge at the Kisumu Impala Sanctuary that will be ready for occupation as from December this year.

KWS have plans to raise money to construct a 3-km perimeter wall fence around the sanctuary at an estimated cost of Sh28 million as well as create public awareness about the plight of the shy sitatunga and the importance of conserving the wetlands.

Thanks go to KWS, Ministry of Tourism, Kenya Investment Authority, Equator Bottlers ltd, Municipal Council of Kisumu, The Star newspaper, Parkview Hotel and Apartments, Elsuco Tours and Travel, tour operators, Lake Victoria Tourism Association, Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Lake Paddlers Association, Homa Lime Company, Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), Kisumu Green Project and boat operators, as well as Integritour for making the event such a success.

Next year things will be big and better than this year and Integritour will be glad to package the event in one of our western Kenya packages and for you who did not attend. Contact us to find out more.

“I know the women will not show up for the hits,” is what one of the committee members said when we were at the stakeholders meeting preparing for the boat race but the Kisumu women proved him wrong.

On the 1^st October,  Kisumu city was celebrating World Habitat Day and the preliminaries were held at the picturesque lakeside venue of  Hippo Point.  If you happened to arrive at the venue at the allotted time, you would have been discouraged because there was only a tent and a few KWS staff –  not a sign of any participants.   But as of the ‘Kenyan clock’, the tables turned around by 11:00am and attendees started arrived in huge numbers.

The cheering boat squads took  to the lake and their paddling with might and gusto and I was very encouraged by the women who exceeded the required number until some were left out.   I ran up and down writing down the participant’s names and numbers who will participate in the main boat race event at the Kisumu Impala Sanctuary on the 26^th of November until someone thought I was working for the press.

I am so excited about the boat race and am really looking forward the rest of the hits which will take place at Luanda Kotieno on the 19^thOctober and on the 21^st we are taking the hits to Usenge Beach.  I have always longed for  Kisumu city  to have a signature and our signature will be the boat race, am really looking forward the rest of the hits and the main event come the 26^th November at the Impala Park.

Integritour is proud to be one of the organizers of the boat race and are offering a 2-3 day package including the boat race in Western Kenya.  All are invited on the 26^th of November at the impala for the boat race – won’t youy come and see which beach will take the trophy home?

What a lovely lady! The moment I saw her I thought of my grandmother!

I live in Kisumu but I had never thought of going to Barack Obama’s grandmother’s place.  I has assumed Kogelo was a palace and that Sara Obama was living a queen’s life but I was surprised to meet a humble, loving and welcoming granny in a normal, typical rural homestead.

We welcome Integritour guests  to come with us to meet the great lady herself.   We have pre-arranged our protocol so as to respect the security of her compound and of course, Mama Sara’s privacy (she is an elderly lady, and can understandly tire of uninvited guests turning up on her doorstep!). As such, please let us know 24-48 hours in advance should you wish us to take you on a tour to Kogelo and Mama Sara.

A tour to Kogelo takes half a day, but can be combined with other Integritour tours including Rusinga Island and Kit Mikayi.  Stop offs at the equator road marker can also be arranged as part of this tour.

Chris:  The day prior to the event saw the pain of stall assembly – and we attempted to do justice to the prettiness of our in-town shop by trying to recreate something similar in a bare hall, using nothing more than a few hard board walls and coloured sheets.  Half of our shop was duly transported in Ken’s car to the Simba club, and with a bit of interior design flair we were the proud sponsors of a beautiful, professional stand to match the beauty and professionalism of our tour products!  We were ready to go.

As the doors opened for an early start on day one we took our strategic places, standing alert at the second door from the gate to greet all attendees.  The opening ceremony was graced by guests of honour including tourism board representatives and senior members of the ministry of tourism and the main topic of conversation was the announcement of the formation of eight community cultural centres within the Western Kenya circuit.  Every attendee dropped in on our stall – with most commenting on its superior attractiveness relative to the other stands (not that we’re competitive at all… )

Day two saw a general flow of members of the public to see what we had to offer.  Amongst our visitors came an elderly gentleman who could not understand, read or write English and was asking for company literature.  He seemed particularly intrigued by the concept of business cards and was asking what they are used for and the reason why Patricia had to have so many.  About our business-card raffle pot, the old man thought we wanted to use it for cooking and requested to know if there was any food ready.

The was a fun, festival atmosphere on the final day of the Expo and our stand received a large number of visitors enquiring about the company and our tour products.  After the exhibition the participants were assembled in the hall for the closing ceremony which included various forms of entertainment including dances lead by YAWA youth group, comedy and a fashion show.

As reported by Patrica: “Welcome to Integritour, we are a responsible tour company in Kisumu and specialize in tours withinWestern Kenya.  We also offer ticketing, accommodation booking, airport transfers and car hire”. Thank you very much to the many people who heard me introducing the company in that way (possibly more than 100 times in the 3 days!).  It was a pleasure meeting and talking to you at the Expo.

Our stand was the best decorated in the expo and once in, guests received a warm welcome with “please have a seat and a sweet”.  Everybody loved visiting us so much that some did not want to say good bye and other clients were outside waiting to be served. The most touching thing was how we left our clients surprised after we took them through our various tours in Western Kenya and everybody asked “are you sure the tours are interesting as they sound?” I would look at them, smile, and ask “would I comfortably sit here and tell you things that don’t exist?”  It was amazing to me how few local Kenyans knew about the exciting things to do in and around Kisumu and Nyanza – whether the jungle walks at Kakamega, the boat trips around the Lake Victoria Islands, or even Kit Mikayi – only 15 minutes drive out of town!

After the Expo was a Gala night which included a buffet dinner, fashion show and lots of fun, everybody headed off to Bomas Resort to dance to a Jamnazi performance.  A great experience!

To everyone who stopped by our stall we’d just like to say a big thank you for taking the time to hear more about what we’re doing.  We look forward to hopefully serving you soon on exciting, uplifting, scenic, nature-filled, adrenalin-pumping or simply mind-expanding experiences in Western Kenya.

Kakamega is a mere hop and skip from Kisumu town. The 50 kilometre journey should take little over 45 minutes under normal circumstances but of course Western standards of ‘normal’ do not apply to Kenya and the awful, pot holed road to Kakamega from Kisumu is frankly an embarrassment to the government. It is in the process of being improved but the early improvements to the first 5km out of Kisumu only serve to accentuate the potholes for the next 45…. However, once strapped in and braced against the swerves and sharp braking, the 90 minute journey to the park is actually a very pleasant one, winding up through the hills north of Kisumu and passing through a number of industrious market and farming villages whose produce and wares line the road.

Kakamega Rainforest is split into two parks – the North Park, run by the Kenya Wildlife Service and the South Park, run by the Forest Commission. There is little between the parks in terms of the stunning scenery, glorious array of wildlife or park management – with both offering professional guiding along evident, if unworn trails (creating enough of an off-the-beaten track impression to discourage non-guided rambles!). However, with the North slightly more expensive and another 30 minutes of journey time, the south is a more natural day trip from Kisumu, made even easier by a professional Kisumu tour company (take ourselves for example…) having done the guide and entry-fee negotiation to avoid any, shall we say, ‘subjective’, pricing policies that may or may not be enforced on your chosen day of visit.

Once in the park, relax and let yourself be guided by the knowledgeable local guide who will point out all the various different plant, bird and animal life on display. Within seconds of entering the forest from the visitor centre clearing you are in the midst of pristine jungle – towering trees, huge gnarly buttresses, a tangle of dangling lianas and tropical flowers. Your morning jungle walk should not be a test of fitness or speed, quite the opposite, as the slower and quieter the better to enjoy the most of the bird and insect life. Pausing in silence will tune you in to the many jungle bird calls and the movement out of the corner of your eye of weird and wonderful creepy crawlies (just be careful not to brush against too many of the overhanging branches and to keep one eye on the ground to avoid the ant trails and the menacing, persistent safari ants that protect them…)

Kakamega Rainforest is famous amongst entomologists for the sheer volume and variety of more than 400 butterfly species andmorning is the best time of the day to see them at their most active. The jungle literally flutters around you as you pass by – flashes of colour amidst dappled sunshine from the canopy above. And the monkeys… well, no silence required to spot them! They crash about in the canopy oblivious to your presence, calling to each other and swinging around from branch to branch. Most common are the vervets and white and black Colobus monkeys but the Red Tailed Monkey and larger, beautiful Blue Monkey are also common with the rarer De Brazza – with his distinctive white beard occasionally spotted . And for the bird enthusiasts, Kakamega is yet more proof, (if more were needed), of why Western Kenya is a once in a lifetime holiday destination – with over 350 species recorded including rare snake eaters, the weird but wonderful Black-and-White-Casqued Hornbill, the Great Blue Turaco and the Emerald Cuckoo.

There is a choice of afternoon options available. For the more energetic, these include a hike up Lirhanda Hill, the highest point in the forest for gorgeous panoramic views across the jungle canopy or another nature walk out to see the crashing rapids of the Yala river. But for the less energetic, or indeed, if Kakamega is living up to its ‘Rain’ forest definition (as it tends to mid-afternoon, particularly during the rainy seasons in March-May and November-December), there’s the exclusive Integritour community-tour option to go and visit a local butterfly farmer at his village home on the edge of the national park – where you’ll receive a fascinating insight into daily village life, plus a walk-through the processes and stages of butterfly breeding.

And that’s normally more than enough for the exhausted, if exhilarated Integritour day-tour guests but for those that prefer a more leisurely experience, or to indulge specific interests – perhaps in the bird or butterfly life – there are a number of different accommodation options that we can arrange in various different price brackets – from local simple ‘banda’ accommodation through to the luxurious and relaxing retreat at Rondo. We can also discuss volunteering opportunities in Kakamega for those looking to get involved in any local conservation work.

Kakamega Jungle is the definition of an eco-tour and thankfully, this little corner of tropical African tranquillity had been designated ‘protected’ providing a sanctuary for its wonderful flora, fauna and wildlife. And yet, it is, as of now, quiet, unspoilt and hardly visited – so for travellers, a true ‘find’ and gem of an experience. Integritour pledges to work with the local communities to ensure that any influx of visitors not only benefits the ongoing conservation efforts by the two park authorities but also supports the struggling local population many of whom currently live below the poverty line. Ecotourism is about ecology, conversation and social-fairness and your once-in-a-lifetime visit will not only support the delicate ecology, but also the precarious economy.  So…  don’t just tour. Integritour.

Read more about our Kakamega Day Trip

Ok, so check me out now. I could accompany you out on Lake Victoria and point out precisely 5 species of Lake Victoria birds:  We’d

Pied Kingfisher, Lake Victoria

start with the mighty Fish Eagle, perched regally with partner in the highest tree- white head and shoulders above the rest of the lake bird life.  Next, the weavers – 100s strong, chattering away in their colonies of nests hanging precariously at the ends of flimsy branches (protects them from snakes, don’t you know).   Hamerkops – strangely stupid-looking and hammer-headed, they co-habit massive nests (like bird apartments) and love the fishing villages where they efficiently clean the laid-out nets of any remnants.  The pied Kingfisher – the second largest of the kingfisher family will undoubtedly crop up next, flitting around everywhere  and frequently found hovering 5 feet above the lake to fish (although landing only c 1 in 5).  Next, I’d point out his cousin, the tiny but beautiful Malachite Kingfisher, bright blue against his reed perch – much more cautious and patient in his fishing technique.  But these do-not-a-Twitcher make me as they’re the easy ones; anyone could point them out after only 5 minutes on the lake, as common as tits on a British high street on a Saturday night.

Bird Island off Rusinga Island

If Tom or Ibrahim (our ornithological experts) took you out– well, prepare to be bamboozled by dizzying encyclopaedic knowledge as they point out (by Latin and English name) the Papyrus Goleleck, Papyrus Sirin, Carathas Cisticala, White winged warbler, Painted Snipe, African Moorhen, Avacet, Water thick knee, Black Caucal, Purple Gallanuel, North brown-throated weaver and many, many more – 359 more to be exact.   (Or as I know them – the pretty white one with long neck and yellow feet, the black coot-like one or the rather non-descript brown duck-like one with the pretty song and purple flashes etc).    Even if their exact names don’t inspire you (pity the ‘thick knee’), the sheer volume and variety of them will.  Big, small, brightly coloured, solitary, flocking, calling, hunting, eating – the lake and countryside surrounding Kisumu is literally teaming.  Just stopping what you’re doing, switching your engine off and shutting your trap for a moment reveals a teaming, fluttering, flying landscape set to the soundtrack of a wonderful natural orchestra of bird calls.

As recent converts, we are of course evangelical about the promotion of bird watching in this region.  We tailor-make birding tours

Hamerkops helpfully cleaning fishing nets

to Twitcher preference but offer two introductory birding products for novices like me:  ‘Day Break on Lake Victoria’, which provides a perfect 4 hour introduction to the many lake species and can be tailored to birder preferences with more time spent drifting in the mangroves with binoculars, as preferred.   And – introducing our brand new product – ‘Birding by Boda-Boda’, a nature-community hybrid tour which sees guests taken by bicycle taxi on a guided tour of the villages and rice-fields south of Kisumu.  Here you’ll see a myriad of land and lake birds flocking around the rice fields and fishing villages – plus receive fascinating insights into rice-farming practices and daily life in the lakeside villages.  Contact us to find out more.

Conclusion:  Birds not boring. Birds bloody brilliant.

Day Break on Lake Victoria

Some of Nyanza and the Western province’s charms are better known than others…  the mighty Lake Victoria in particular, and where better a base for discovery of the region than Kiboko Bay Resort – the popular luxury-tented camp on the very edge of the Lake.   Kiboko (‘hippo’) Bay has been nestled on the lake edge for the last 6 years, attracting the majority of its corporate-leisure clientele through word of mouth and a well-deserved reputation for professional service combined with a truly laid-back, unpretentious atmosphere.   From two outdoor eating terraces – one by the main restaurant, the other up by the azure swimming pool, Kiboko enjoys beautiful views of the lake, an abundance of bird life and gorgeous pink sunsets.  Locals and NGO volunteers swell the resident numbers at weekends to relax by the pool, enjoy fine-dining or take a boat trip out on the lake with one of the many local operators who moor their boats at the resort.   But even at full capacity on a sunny Sunday lunchtime, there’s a quiet and calm to Kiboko that leaves the visitor refreshed and re-charged.

An early morning boat trip should not be missed and will undoubtedly be the highlight of any short visit to Kisumu.  It’s worth setting the alarm pre-6am to get out on the glassy-blue lake just as the sun rises and starts to turn the sky and lake pink.  You will weave between fishing punts and sailing, dhows, drift through the mangroves, and past groups of snorting, snuffling hippos, perhaps stopping for some bird-watching of some of the 350+ species you’ll find around the lake, or to explore one of the bustling fishing markets along the lake-edge.   A photographer’s dream and an unforgettable morning of nature, culture and tranquillity.

But Western Kenya is so much more than Lake Victoria.  It’s surprisingly green and verdant and home to diverse eco-systems, from

Kakamega Jungle Trek

pristine rainforest or rolling tea plantations, through to sugar cane fields and boulder-strewn mountains, all of which are more than accessible in day trips from Kisumu.  For the more adventurous, there are multiple car-hire agents in town should you wish to try the self-drive option.  Prepare yourself, however, for the pot holes, pot-hole-avoiding-boda-bodas (bicycle taxis) and crazy matatu-drivers.  Make sure you have a good map (and a good sense of its scale, as that main road turn off you’re looking for was in fact the un-signposted dirt track you passed three kilometres back).  Kericho and Kakamega both make for glorious day trips.  On the former, you can stroll the plantations, meet the pickers, tour a factory and take tea on the terrace at the Tea Hotel – now a faded, time-warp version of its former self but charming nonetheless.   In Kakamega you can get back to nature, exploring the many walking trails of the butterfly and monkey filled rainforest.  Kids (and big kids) will love to swing on the Tarzan-style lianas that hang down from giant buttressed trees and a knowledgeable guide is well recommended to point out the myriad of bird life and teach you some of the fascinating facts about the unique flora and fauna; just watch out for those biting safari ants as you gaze up at the blue monkeys crashing through the canopy.

The islands of Lake Victoria are another gem and well worth a mini-break within your mini-break.  Rusinga and Mfangano provide perhaps the best value for time and money, just 90 minutes from Kisumu via the Lwanda Kotieno car (or should that be ‘cattle’?) ferry.   Rusinga is a sleepy fishing community – sleepy because most of them fish at night – a spectacular, eerie spectacle of 100s of paraffin lamps bobbing about on the black, inky water with the fishermen’s voices clearly audible from the shore.  In the day time, a boat trip to nearby Bird Island should not be missed.  Cut the engine, drift and enjoy the astonishing sound and sight of 10s of 1000s of nesting cormorants, egrets  and fish eagles whilst prehistoric monitor lizards prowl the banks underneath them.  There’ll be time for a swim in the clean (safe) waters of the white sand, palm-tree lined Takawiri beach before returning to land for whatever else takes your fancy.  Perhaps an educational visit to the local community centre, a stroll around the village or noisy game of football with the local kids, or maybe a visit to the inspirational mausoleum of assassinated local political hero, Tom Mboya.   There are some fantastic accommodation options in the area too – from the wonderfully indulgent, stunning retreat of Rusinga Lodge through to the charming Lake Victoria Safari Village with its mock-lighthouse overlooking the lake.   Boat trips can be chartered privately from Mbita, Kageno village on Rusinga or from any of the accommodation providers.

Kit Mikayi, just 30 minutes west of Kisumu, is another worthwhile stop.   Subject of local folklore, this collection of huge rocks is visible for miles around and set within a gorgeous landscape of boulders, hills and typical, rural homesteads.  It is now a sacred site for the Legion Maria cult who worship amongst the nooks, crannies and caves of the boulders.  They’ll leave you to it though if you want to rest a while atop of the highest rock to enjoy the views and watch the sun set.  Indeed, for lovers of the great outdoors, there’s simply no better region of Kenya.  Whether sport-fishing on the lake, trekking amongst the farms and waterfalls of the Nandi Hills, or bird watching around the paddy-fields and mangroves of the lake, you’ll be sure of a unique adventure far off the beaten track and away from the hoards.

Kisumu itself has much to offer by way of a ‘city break’ and is at least worth a day or two’s extension of the business trip with the Kisumu museum and Impala Park serving as the main attractions (after the must-do morning boat trip).  At first sight the museum appears a little dated and underwhelming, but if you can avoid the hoards of school children and find yourself a good guide, the local artefacts can be brought alive for you and kids will love exploring the replica Luo homestead, peering at the snakes or gazing into the wizened faces of the giant tortoises.  The impala park is a tranquil oasis on the edge of town, filled with roaming impala, zebra and the odd visiting hippo, plus a well-organised zoo where you can get up close and personal with most of the Big 5.  There are also numerous walking trails around the park, along the overgrown lines of a disused railway and around the lake edge.   For non-Kenyans and international visitors, the municipal market is perhaps one of the more fascinating sites in town – a bustling, noisy market of squawking chickens, haggling fruit sellers and persistent matatu touts.  The town is also full of friendly, cheerful bars and restaurants specialising in lake tilapia and chicken or goat barbeque, all served with the obligatory ugali or masala chips side. Don’t forget to order the Tusker ‘warm’ if you’re going ‘local’.

Fishing Community Tour, Rusinga Island

But above all Western Kenya is people and communities, the ‘real’ Africa – warts and all, with some desperate social and health issues which local NGOs are valiantly trying to alleviate – but also with warmth, charm and an un-affected, open welcome for all visitors.   Waving children, beaming smiles, hearty handshakes, songs and sodas all round.  Community tourism represents a huge opportunity for this region if done responsibly and in conjunction with the many local NGOs.   My own recently launched responsible tour company, an investment for my future and hopefully, the region’s – seeks to offer fascinating educational insights into village life in a way that benefits the local people, through homestead visits, craft-demonstrations (and sales) and school and health-centre tours.   But I’m not writing this to sell my services to you.  Western would sell itself if only more people knew of its charms.  Kenyan tourism should be two dimensional no longer.  Safari, beach AND community eco-tourism, where Western offers up the third dimension in spades.  Affordable spades for those on a budget, and with just enough high-end providers to cater for those for whom luxury is required.

The romance of Western is for all to discover, just as I’ve discovered it.  And last November, on the shores of Lake Victoria, over a

A sunset to get engaged to...

glass of champagne at Kiboko Bay, and as a pink sun set into the lake, that man I followed here asked me to marry him.    My spectacles may be a little rose-tinted, but I challenge you to yours.  Come and see for yourself.

The main highlight is to now be able to say to people -‘please, pop in and see us in our office’ – and to feel genuinely proud to have such a smart, pretty-looking space to host guests and clients. The office move is both the high and the low of the last month, however…. The cosmetic-work that was required was painful, to say the least. Wonky walls, ill-fitting doors, arguments with internet connection companies and carpenters and my least favourite moment – walking into the office to find staff-member-who-remains-nameless going at their brand new, specially-commissioned desk with a mallet and chisel after locking a laptop in the top drawer and losing not one, but both keys.   It’s funny how quickly you forget the angst, expense and frustrations, when, voila – you’re sat proudly in a fully functioning, tidy and well equipped office welcoming in your client (even if the door has slammed shut angrily behind them due to the angle it hangs at).

Another highlight was the lovely article that was written about us and what we’re trying to do for Kisumu and Western Kenya in theKenyan Business Daily (for UK readers – the Kenyan equivalent of the FT)… and to be followed up so quickly by a KBC television piece, showing me a) laughing nervously whist pretending to grind maize on an old grindstone in a traditional homestead and b) offering a few (I hoped) encouraging comments to the local community about the beauty and appeal of Kit Mikayi –  an impressive boulder formation shrouded in local folklore, and set in gorgeous rolling hills on the outskirts of Kisumu  (where Integritour offers a community sunset tour – see here, our Kit Mikayi Walking Tour)

And then to Nairobi… and what a week.   A week of rage, exhilaration, bad food, (vomit), good coffee (they export both the beans and the knowledge of how to make it – Nescafe 3-in-1 sachets do NOT count) supplier shopping, an all-night-raving guest house and literal running (when not stuck in traffic jams) from one meeting to the next.  Ken (our Head of Operations) and I set off on a Sunday for one of the most productive weeks of our professional lives – over 30 back-to-back meetings with senior travel industry professionals with the aim of ‘waking them up to the West’.  The key message of the week was that Integritour is officially ‘go’ to trade/ industry partnerships– which means that national operators/ agents can finally offer a professional, inspirational, and exciting alternative to the traditional beach-safari Kenyan experience – here in Western!

It would be fair to say that we didn’t have the best start when, in our very first meeting, i was called a ‘quack’ who would be ‘here today and gone tomorrow’ –but things improved markedly from that point on with every other meeting positive, productive and hugely encouraging for the growth of tourism in this region. Established, reputable Nairobi partnerships will not be a ‘quick win’ – they will take time to nurture and develop and as a new company, albeit with years of cumulative travel experience, we will have to work hard to delight their customers and earn their trust– but we’re more than confident of doing so…

We’ve also had a great last month of new-product investigations (and that is, after all, the fun part…) . We can now offer adventure kayaking tours on Lake Victoria, boda-boda bicycle community tours around Kisumu and a new village experience – a homestead stay with an extraordinarily kind and fascinating family who run an orphan day care centre during the day and take in bewildered tourists by night. (Bucket shower and pit latrine compulsory, killing the chicken for dinner yourself and milking the cow, optional). For a lovely, 90 second pictoral summary of our products so far – see Why Western Kenya– a fun slide-show montage of why the ‘best is out West’.

And still to come, Mount Elgon trekking, horse riding in the Nandi Hills, bird watching at Saiwa Swamp, Lake Victoria sport fishing and camping experiences.  We might also have to sample a few more of the 5-star accommodation establishments in Masai Mara and Mombasa.    Whilst we’re serving up the 3rd dimension of ‘community and eco-tourism’ for Kenya in spades, we can’t ignore the charms of the first 2 (beach and safari) and couldn’t possibly refer our valued guests without first sampling the quality ourselves…

A suit on Lake Victoria - a rare sight indeed

At the end of the day, in an age of blue sky thinking, touching-base and thinking outside of the box, the Integritour team decided to come together this week to brainstorm and indulge in some 360-degree-thinking about how, as a business we can proactively push the envelope.  (source – Telegraph Online ‘Most despised business jargon’)   If the last 6 months have taught me anything, it’s that such business jargon and pretension simply does not apply or translate here in Kisumu.   In many respect things are much simpler: no professional class ‘status-anxiety’ or culture of self-styled (self-congratulatory) ‘entrepreneurialism’, just simple execution of simple ideas – see a need, fill it, create jobs and graft until you get somewhere.  Opportunity is everywhere you look and start-up costs low but investment lacking in this, the most overlooked and tribally discriminated-against region of Kenya.    The challenges, as I’m rapidly learning, are very different – with Kenyan small-business a minefield of corruption, racial/ tribal discrimination, poor service and skill-shortage.

BUT, there’s one blue sky practice from business in the West that we have embraced here at Integritour in giving a great deal of thought to our business vision and mission.  This week, as a treat, and over a relatively expensive Western lunch (which was frankly not appreciated by my Kenyan colleagues – ‘where’s the ugali?’ (the stodgy carb staple here))  our new team met for our ‘strategy session’ on the Duke of Breeze roof top bar.  (The bar, with its free wireless, has become our temporary office, whilst we await the completion of the work on our office downstairs in the lobby).   We discussed the reasons why we’re here and what we hope to achieve over the coming year with the output as follows:

Our vision: To revolutionise travel in Kenya and open up Western Kenya to travellers seeking authentic, life-changing and amazing African travel experiences.

Our mission is 3 fold:  1) to extend the international perception of Kenya from a 2D safari/ beach destination to a 3D safari/beach/community destination – where the ‘community’ element is spent in Western Kenya in real communities, appreciating diverse eco-systems from lake to jungle to tea-plantation, rice plantation or mountain.  2) To get more Kenyans discovering and experiencing the very best of Western Kenya –so promoting better cross-tribal understanding  3) Combating some of the economic and social challenges of Western Kenya through better marketing, an increased volume of visitors, job creation and profit-share with local communities & NGOs.

And how will we do this?  (and herewith, the customer ‘pitch’): By offering responsibly-organised tours and packages across Kenya and East Africa, but specialising in Western Kenya – an area traditionally ignored by mainstream operators.   The region suffers from high unemployment, poor nutrition, high rates of HIV infection and very poor infrastructure (particularly roads & transport, schools and health-centres) – and YET, it is a region of outstanding and diverse natural beauty and the most friendly, fascinating communities.   Integritour will show guests the best of all this at a price that not only won’t break the client’s bank account, but will add much-needed funds to the bank accounts of local community groups and NGOs.

For heart thumping experiences, try trekking the Kericho tea plantations, vine swinging in Kakamega rainforest, crocodile tracking or kayaking on Lake Victoria or maybe just standing up in front of class of 90 village kids leading a rousing rendition of ‘heads, shoulders, knees and toes’…. ?

For sheer beauty let us take you out on Lake Victoria at sunrise to weave between the hippos and fishing dhows, to the islands to experience white-sand beaches and noisy nesting colonies of 10s of 1000s of lake birds or up to the highest point in Kakemega for views stretching across the monkey-filled rainforest canopy.

For mind expansion, maybe immerse yourself in a day in the life of a local Luo village, meet people in their homes and visit local health centres, schools and community groups or take a guided walking tour of the slum or street market or perhaps just tax your brain by attempting to remember  the names of some of the 100s of bird species in the region, as pointed out by our ornithological experts.

To give back and contribute, let us donate, on your behalf, through the cost of your experience to the communities that we work with and where our staff come from.  You can also ask us about volunteering opportunities should you wish to get even more involved

All we need now is our first office from which we can spread the word.  We’re nearly there (hmm… ish, maybe, we hope).   We’re

office.... (admittedly doesn't look like much yet..)

gutting a small 200 sq ft space in the lobby of Dukes of Breeze – with the intention of smartening it up, but the foreman’s hired-labour turned up drunk twice this week (those that bothered to turn up at all), and so works are running a little behind schedule.   It also appears ‘simple’ decor is not an option here in Kenya – with the current trends reminiscent of British furnishing in the 70s & 80s – chintzy, fussy, patterned browns and pastels.  How hard would you think it would be to find simple black and white tiles to create a chess-board floor effect?  Impossible (although interestingly, for this bride-to-be, the tile shop specialised in floor/ wall tiles AND wedding dresses.  Why these two very specific product-lines, I have no idea.  I surely must be the only person in Western Kenya, if not East Africa in the market for both).   (Also, as another aside, whilst out shopping for furniture this weekend, I was somewhat alarmed to see a huge lorry trundling down the road ablaze, literally – totally engulfed in flames about 10M high.  It was driving to the fire station which I thought was quite considerate of the driver.  The whole of Kisumu was screaming and running down the road after it in excitement until the fire engine came and dealt with it.  A bit surreal, but that’s daily life in Kisumu for you).

So, anyway, watch this space.  Office updates and photos to come.  We do hope you’ll be interested in sharing in our learnings, experiences and musings on this blog as we grow Integritour.  We may not have chosen an easy road; it will, in all likelihood be as metaphorically potholed and uncomfortable as the road we take our clients to Masai Mara on – but hopefully it will result in a similar outcome – a once in a lifetime experience for all those involved.