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Kitale

Experiential journeys will make you a storyteller
About Kitale

Kitale is a beautiful agricultural town that is located in the Western Kenya. It lies some 380 kilometres from Nairobi which is the capital of Kenya. The town lies between Mount Elgon and Cherengani Hills. The significant cash crops which are grown in Kitale include seed maize, sunflower, Pyrethrum, tea, seed beans and coffee. 

Kitale is an administrative center of the Trans Nzoia District. It lies in the Rift Valley Province. Founded by the while settlers in the year 1908, Kitale is one of most prominent attractions in Africa. A branch line of the Uganda Railway leading you to the town from the Eldoret reached the town in the year 1926 with an object of promoting growth in the town.

Agriculturally rich, Kitale is a friendly market town that has a couple of interesting museums along with a bustling market. Shopping indeed is one of the principal activity to be enjoyed here. This market makes for an ideal base when you wish to explore the Saiwa Swamp National Parks and Mt Elgon. Kitale also serves as a quintessential take off point for tourists who wish to take a trip up to the western side of the Lake Turkana. 

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Kitale FAQ's

Travel Advice

·         Whenever you go to a new destination or place, you must acquire sufficient information about it in advance. This will prevent anyone from misleading you.

·         Do not sit in a cab that does not have a metered or prepaid system. In case you do sit in a vehicle without the prepaid system, make sure that you negotiate the fare before traveling.

·         In case you suffer from any type of health condition, make sure you carry with you all the necessary medications.

·         Do not indulge in any form of fights or brawls with the locals.

·         Keep away from the touts.

·         Do not disrespect the locals.

·         Do not pass racist comments on anyone.

·         Carry with you a strong mosquito repellant as it may be needed by you.

·         Drink only bottled mineral water.

·         Do not buy a water bottle that does not have its seal intact.

·         Make sure you buy a water bottle from a brand that you recognize.

·         Check the bills before paying both in hotels and restaurants.

·         Keep a check on the safety gear and harness before you indulge in an adventure activity or sport.

·         Do not leave your cash or valuables in the hotel room.

·         Do not flaunt excess cash. 

Drinking Law

The legal age for drinking in Kitale is 18 years. 

Our Recommendations: What you can’t afford to miss?

1. Kitale Museum: Touted to be one of the first inland museums to come up in Kenya, the museum was initially popular by the name ‘Stoneham Museum’. The museum draws its existence from an amateur naturalist, whose collection of insects, animals and books became the foundation for this museum. On a tour of the Kitale museum, one would come across ethnographical materials which have now been added to the original collections by the locals. The location of the museum and the structure itself is a sight of natural abundance and bounty, among other places to see in Kitale.

Today, the educational department of this museum, organises several programs and courses for educational institutes across Kitale. Many excursion programs are organised in the museum for knowledge purposes of the tourists. For families who come here with kids, a visit to this must is the most important thing to do here.

2. Saiwa Swamp national park: If you are looking for tourist places in Kitale where you can explore a bounty of nature, then the Saiwa Swamo national park is a must visit place for you. This park has been developed and conserved in a state of the art manner, which brings out the plethora of natural beauty of the park. This park is dominated by bulrushes and aquatic plants. The Saiwa River brings its waters in the park and feeds more beauty to the park. A combination of forests and swamp vegetation is to be looked out for, while you are within the park. Botanical safaris are organised from time to time and makes up for an excellent weekend getaway. If you are looking for a place, simply to go on a walk for, then this park can offer you the best shaded paths for a dawn walk. 

3. Treasures of Africa Museum: This museum is a privately maintained museum. The personal collections of former colonial officer, Mr Wilson, have been put up for display at the museum. The collections are mainly centred around experiences of Karamojong people, belonging to Northern Uganda. Mr Wilson’s exhibits are also depictive of the idea and theory of a universal and worldwide agricultural culture that existed, back in the ice age. If you are keenly interested in history, then this is perfectly your kind of place. Get a bird eye’s view of the culture depths of Kenya at this museum. 

4. Kitale nature conservancy: One can reach the conservancy quite easily as it lies very close to the main road. Impacting the tourists with nature’s bounty, right from the moment you enter the place, you will get a feel of nature’s beauty of this place. The conservancy accommodates a bar, restaurant and relaxation area. Nature’s trails lead to captivating views and sights around the park. There is a small pond, where you can go on a boating trip. You can get views of exotic birds that swamp the skies around this place. Camping is also one of the activities that you can do with friends. This is the perfect getaway for children and family groups

What you will like there?

1. Visit to the Iroko Boulevard museum: What do you like to see when you visit a hotel? You want a nice décor, good hygiene, food and a relaxing state of amenities. Well, you get it all at the Iroko Boulevard. It has got the perfect glamour to impress you in the first go itself. For a place like Kitale, this hotel comes as an unexpected respite for a tourist place. Some of the catchy delights of this hotel include reasonable food items, an old Morris brand car that hangs from the ceiling, and an excellent ambience. Believe it or not, this is the most popular place you will come across in town for dining. Typical African décor gives a contemporary look to the hotel. There is a café on the terrace, excellent for sightseeing opportunities. You can get a view of the great mountain range Mt. Elgon from a distance at the terrace. Any one who wishes to indulge in some luxury and fine living, this can be a great choice of stay. Of course, you’ll come across several other guesthouses, resorts and hotels, but none will beat this one.

2. Visit to the town hall in Kitale: Touted as an important landmark in Kitale, the town hall attracts a large number of tourists to its precincts. People come here to see the glamorous town hall structure. This is perfect for spending a day of your holidays in Kitale. You can join the horde of people bustling around the streets to get shopping and get some memorable pics clicked. The town hall holds a symbolic relevance for the town of Kitale. 

3. Visit to the Forest in Mount Elgon national park: If you are an avid nature explorer, then the Mount Elgon National park can offer you a bounty of enticing views from the sloping ranges of the mountains. The Kitum cave is also quite popular over here. Form this point, you can get a nice view of the entire forest. One of the unique things about the trees in these forests are lichen covered branches, which resembles and old man’s beard. Even Mount Bamboo is visible from this point on, at a close distance of 3000m. 

4. Walk the trails of Mount Elgon national park: Among other things to do in the Mount Elgon National park, you will be delighted to treat yourself to the nature’s bounty. If you are in for some adventure, then you will discover that the Mount Elgon national park will give you ample opportunities to engage in some nice activities. There are many trails that have been constructed by the locals within the park. If you wish, you can get the help of a guide inside the park, to walk you across these trails. Although there is plenty of greenery within the park, it is difficult to see many animals. Some of the easily seen animals within the park are monkeys and buffaloes. Another adventure activity that you can engage in, is mountain climbing. All in all, this place is perfect to spend a day, exploring the park and letting your adventurous instincts take over

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