What is unique about the Kakamega Forest National Park? Kakamega Forest National Reserve is located in Kakamega County, Kenya. It is 350 kilometres by road from Nairobi.It encompasses 44.7 km² of a Kenya Wildlife Service protected area. It is the only remaining section of rainforest that reaches all the way to central Africa and is located in Kenya.The Kakamega Forest National Reserve is situated in the Lake Victoria basin, some 40 kilometres north of Kisumu and directly east of the Nandi Escarpment, which marks the edge of the central highlands. This is the source of the Yala and Isiukhu rivers, which flow through the forest and eventually empty into Lake Victoria.
The forest is approximately 238 square kilometres and it also includes the reserve. slightly less than half of the National forest reserve is still a native forest. Kakamega Forest National Reserve was established in 1985 as a national forest reserve and it has the size of 4,468-hectare, 45 km² makes up the Kakamega National Reserve and it is located to the north of the forest. The Kisere Forest Reserve is located straight north. After being initially classified as a Trust Forest in 1933, Kakamega Forest was then split into two smaller Nature Reserves in 1967: Yala and Isecheno, which together covered about 700 hectares of the Forest Reserve. Numerous small creeks and streams meander across the area. Although the smallest streams cut through open grasslands, often creating little marshy areas, the larger streams are usually surrounded by a few to tens of meters of woodland that separates the glades on either side. Numerous wildlife species can be found in this forest, including pottos, giant forest hedgehogs, Debrazzar monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and bush pigs. The Turner’s Eremomela, Black Billed Turaco, Grey Parrots, and Blue Headed Bee Eater are a few of the birds that can be spotted here.
Wildlife in Kakamega Forest Reserve
One of tourism destinations in Kenya is the Kakamega Forest National Reserve. There are 380 plant species known to exist. This comprises 170 kinds of flowering plants, including 60 species of orchids, nine of which are unique to this forest, 150 types of trees and shrubs, and 60 species of ferns. The forest is well-known birding safari in the reserve with a wide variety of birds more than 367 distinct species such as the black-and-white-casqued hornbill and the west African Great Blue Turaco, have been spotted here. There are nine different bird species in this area. The mammals that are found in the park are; African clawless otters, giant African water shrews, bush pigs, duikers, bushbucks, mongooses, squirrels, pangolins, porcupines, bats, and a variety of primates, such as blue, red tail, De Brazza, baboons, and rare vervet monkeys.
Butterflies in Kakamega Forest National Reserve
There are many different brightly coloured butterflies (489 species), pink and green flower mantis, and Goliath beetles, among other amazing insects. Particularly well-represented are the ants (Formicidae), lepidopterans, orthopterans, and beetles. Common insects include spiders, millipedes, and gastropods. In Kakamega Forest there are reptiles and amphibians that are found in the park. The most visited place for Kenya safari tours is the Isecheno Forest Station of Kenya Forest Service and it is located in the southernmost part of the forest. In addition to the famous Mama Mtere tree, which is both historically important and the most photographed tree in Kakamega Forest, there are also strangler fig trees.
The forest offers hiking routes for activities including wandering through the forest, camping, trekking, seeing primates, birds, butterflies, and games, as well as village walks and hiking. The Kakamega Rainforest Tour Guides (KRFTG) can arrange for tours to Kisere Forest to view the De-brazes monkey in the north of Kakamega, or tour safaris to the weeping stone which is also called the “Crying Stone,” at Ilesi along the Kakamega-Kisumu route and is a well-known historical landmark in Kenya.
The best time to visit Kakamega Forest National Reserve
The best seasons to visit Kakamega Forest National Reserve are from December to February and from June to July, when there is less chance of rain. Around the middle of the year, the local birds begin their breeding season; in August, emerging butterflies offer a lot of colour. The Dry Season is much more enjoyable for hikes (December to February).
Kenya safari tour activities to do in Kakamega Forest National Reserve
Birdwatching
The Kenya Forest Service offers birdwatching tours starting at 06:30hrs. And 16:30hrs. For a duration of 2 hours. Take this opportunity to enjoy the incredible array of avian life for which Kakamega is known.
Mama Mutere
Is the name given by the locals to this largest and oldest tree in Kakamega. It is 40m (131 ft.) high and about 250 years old. Its bark has been used in traditional medicine for stomach and other ailments
Hiking
Kakamega Forest National Reserve in kenya is the only remaining rainforest that has a big beautiful forest with many hiking trails,view points and waterfalls giving it a wonderful scenery.
Sundowner
This is an organized sunset viewing as well from Lirhanda hill that lasts 3 hours between 15:00hrs and 17:00hrs.
Buyangu Hill
There is a 4 kilometres drive or walk from the park entrance to Buyangu Hill, from where there are uninterrupted views east to the Nandi Escarpment
Luhya Tribe Cultural evening
There is an opportunity to interact and learn about these Luhya people. Enjoy their dance performances, their storytelling traditions and their legends.
Night-time Excursion
There are night time excursions organized by the Kenya Wildlife Service. A 2-hour night time safari will bring up close to the nocturnal creatures and sounds of the reserve.
How to get to Kakamega Forest National Reserve
By Road
The quickest route by road is418 kilometres from Nairobi which through Kapsabet and Nakuru. Once you reach Timboroa, follow the A104 road and proceed 4 km further till you come to a left turn that leads to the C36 road to Kapsabet. From there, take the C39 road until it merges with the Kisumu – Kakamega road. The quickest route to Kapsabet from Eldoret is via the C39 road.
By Air
Today, travellers can fly to Kisumu or Eldoret and take a scheduled aircraft to Kakamega, or they can fly to Kisumu or Eldoret and drive to Kakamega.
Park Entry fee
Adult child
Citizen kshs 300 kshs 215
Residents kshs 300 kshs 215
Non residents 25USD 15 USD
Where to stay in Kakamega Forest National Reserve
For lodging at the Kakamega Forest Reserve, there are several options available. Options include rustic campsites and self-catering chalets and lodges, such as the Isukuti Guesthouse, Udo Guesthouse, and Udo campground, as well as the Pinecone Hotel, Best Western Hotel Kisumu, and Golf Hotel Kakamega.
