Thimlich Ohinga
A monumental dry-stone settlement enclosure with gateways, internal compounds, livestock areas, and defensive walls built without mortar.
Photo: Wycondi · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Country
- Kenya
- Region
- Migori County
- Civilisation
- Lake Victoria Basin
- Period
- 16th century CE onward
- UNESCO
- World Heritage ↗
Through time
The story
Thimlich Ohinga is a complex of stone-built ruins in Migori County in Kenya. It is the largest of 138 sites containing 521 stone structures that were built near Lake Victoria in Kenya. These sites are highly clustered. The main enclosure of Thimlich Ohinga has walls that are 1–3 m (3.3–9.8 ft) in thickness, and 1–4.2 m (3.3–13.8 ft) in height. The structures were built from undressed blocks, rocks, and stones set in place without mortar.
The densely packed stones interlock. The site is believed to date to the 15th century or earlier.
Adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What you will see
- Main enclosure
- Dry-stone gateways
- Internal compounds
Before you go
- Check opening hours and ticket rules shortly before your visit — they change seasonally.
- Plan for the heat. Most ancient sites have little shade; go early or late.
- Respect the barriers. Fragile surfaces are protected for the next visitors.
Discoveries from Thimlich Ohinga
No discoveries yet. Be the first to share a photo from here.
