Set in the western region of Kenya, Migori is one of Elective Africa’s unique placement locations, offering both rich clinical exposure and unmatched travel opportunities. Known for its diverse population, rural-urban blend, and proximity to the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve, Migori presents an exciting choice for students looking to combine rigorous hospital-based internships with opportunities for exploration

Migori sits at the crossroads of culture, healthcare challenges, and natural beauty. Located close to the Kenya-Tanzania border, it is a bustling town with a unique blend of Kenyan and Tanzanian influences. Beyond its cultural vibrancy, Migori is home to Migori County Referral Hospital, which is a key health facility in the region and one of Elective Africa’s primary teaching sites.

Migori County Referral Hospital provides structured rotations across a wide range of specialties, including pediatrics, surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology and emergency medicine. Interns are supported by dedicated mentors who guide you through ward rounds, clinics and hospital procedures, ensuring exposure that balances observation and participation.

The hospital setting also offers insight into managing healthcare in resource-limited contexts. You will encounter a range of tropical and infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and neglected tropical illnesses, as well as maternal and child health challenges. By engaging in team-based care, daily handovers and interdisciplinary discussions, interns learn how healthcare professionals collaborate to deliver essential services in challenging circumstances.

The Migori placement is not only about hospital exposure but also about community and cultural immersion. Interns stay in secure, shared housing near the hospital, where they can build friendships with peers from different countries and disciplines. Local orientation introduces interns to life in Migori, while Swahili basics help in communicating with patients and community members.

Elective Africa also emphasizes giving back as interns often participate in community outreach activities such as school visits, health education initiatives and volunteer projects. These experiences broaden your perspectives on social determinants of health while deepening your sense of cultural connection.

Migori’s location makes it a prime base for unforgettable adventures after your hospital hours.

• Maasai Mara National Reserve: Only a 2–3 hour drive from Migori, the Maasai Mara is one of the world’s most celebrated safari destinations. Here, interns trade stethoscopes for binoculars as they spend weekends spotting the Big Five; lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo across endless savannah plains. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Migration, a breathtaking spectacle where millions of wildebeest and zebras thunder across the Mara River. Evenings in the reserve bring another kind of magic: campfire dinners under star-filled skies and cultural encounters with the Maasai people, whose traditions remain deeply tied to the land. For many interns, these weekend safaris become some of the most unforgettable highlights of their time in Kenya.

• Lake Victoria: The world’s largest tropical lake is nearby, where you can enjoy boat rides, fishing villages and stunning sunsets.

• Cultural Diversity: Migori is home to various ethnic communities, including the Luo, Kuria and Maasai, providing opportunities for rich cultural exchange, traditional food and music.

• Day Trips: Explore the rolling hills, sugar plantations and scenic countryside that surround the town, offering a peaceful break from hospital routines.

Migori is more than just a placement site, it’s a destination where professional growth and personal discovery go hand in hand. Between the hospital’s diverse clinical cases, the chance to work alongside dedicated mentors, and the unforgettable adventures waiting just beyond the town, interns leave Migori with skills, memories, and perspectives that shape their future in healthcare.

Choosing Migori means choosing a placement that challenges you as a future healthcare professional while rewarding you with experiences you’ll carry long after your internship ends.