City in transition

Back on land, Kisumu's skyline tells another story, one of growth and ambition. Hotels, apartments and new infrastructure projects signal rising investor confidence.

Duncun Mwangi, managing director of Sarova Imperial Hotel, says the lakeside city is poised for a tourism breakthrough.

"We're seeing gradual expansion in tourism offerings, from water buses to safari vessels, that allow visitors to experience the lake in new ways," Mwangi says.

Improved infrastructure — including the Standard Gauge Railway extension to Malaba, linking the coastal city of Mombasa to Uganda's border — could boost travel patterns and promote domestic tourism around Lake Victoria, he says.

Air travel to Kisumu remains relatively expensive and limits tourist inflows, he says.

To adjust to the growing number of global visitors, Sarova Group of Hotels has tapped into its experience to develop Asian cuisine, among other major international culinary offerings, to ensure a diverse and globally appealing dining experience.