Kakamega Forest National Park is a testament to nature’s timelessness, preserving a remnant of the once-vast rainforest that stretched across Central Africa. This exquisite forest sanctuary is a haven for diverse mammals, including bush pigs, giant forest hedgehogs, colobus monkeys, De Brazza monkeys, and Pottos. Among the captivating avian inhabitants are the Blue Headed Bee Eater, Black Billed Turaco, Turner’s Eremomela, and Grey Parrots. Within the serene embrace of this forest, which seems untouched by time, you can partake in bird watching, hiking, and rock climbing.
Kakamega Forest National Reserve proudly stands as Kenya‘s sole tropical rainforest of the Guineo-Congolian type. This lush wilderness once extended from Central Africa to East Africa and now thrives in Western Kenya, specifically in Kakamega East District within Kakamega County.
Kakamega Forest boasts a remarkable array of biodiversity, including over 330 bird species, 380 plant species, 400 butterfly species, 7 primate species, and a menagerie of animals. Here, you may encounter chameleons, skinks, lizards, squirrels, bushbucks, aardvarks, porcupines, giant forest hogs, and many others.
The forest is crisscrossed by a network of walking and hiking trails, where silence reigns, punctuated only by the melodious songs of birds, the whispers of trees, the flutter of butterflies, the croaks of frogs, the chatter of monkeys leaping from one tree to another, and the gurgling streams nearby.
The sheer abundance of birdlife here is awe-inspiring. Kakamega is renowned as an important primate reserve, with monkeys of various species gracefully traversing the treetops. Beautiful chameleons often hide among the undergrowth. As night descends, the forest transforms into a different realm, with the air filled by bats, the resonant calls of frogs, the nocturnal songs of birds, and the booming voices of giant forest squirrels.
Kakamega Forest National Reserve is easily accessible via road through Kakamega Town, which can be reached from Kisumu by bus or matatu. To fully explore the forest, you’ll need your own transportation or join a safari. The best way to experience Kakamega is on foot, as the forest offers a multitude of clearly marked walking trails. Knowledgeable and certified local guides are readily available to accompany you on your hikes. Whether you seek relaxation or a closer communion with nature, Kakamega Forest National Park beckons as a tranquil haven for nature enthusiasts.