The Kisumu Museum is the main museum of western Kenya, covering the natural history, ethnography, and archaeology of the Lake Victoria region. The collections are not enormous but they are well presented, and the museum grounds include a small nature trail, a snake park, and the reconstructed Luo homestead that is the highlight for most visitors.
The ethnographic collection covers the various communities of the western highlands and lake shore — Luo, Luhya, Kisii — with displays of traditional tools, musical instruments, and ceremonial objects. The natural history section focuses on the wildlife of Lake Victoria and the Rift Valley. The museum is well maintained and makes a good half-day stop before heading to the lake.