Kakamega Forest National Reserve

Kakamega Forest National Reserve is a 240 sq km forest reserve nestled at the north end of the Kakamega Forest, in the Western Province of Kenya. It was gazetted as a national forest reserve in May 1985 and lies at an elevation of about 1560m, along the northeastern edge of the Lake Victoria basin, about 50km north of Kisumu city.
Wildlife
Kakamega National Reserve is a big draw for wildlife enthusiasts and nature conservationists from different parts of the world because of its unique ecological balance. The forest is also home to over 400 species of butterflies; mollusks; 7 primate species; and 27 species of snakes. Several of the rare species of primate are common here include the Blue Monkey, popularly sighted around the Ishiuki Falls, Olive Baboon and the Red Tailed Monkey. Other animals to see are Bush Pigs, Duikers, Bushbucks, Giant Water Shrew, Squirrels, Clawless Otter, Mongoose, Tree Pangolin, Porcupine and several Bats.

Kakamega Forest

Bird Life
Kakamega Forest Reserve is residing place for some major bird species. A comprehensive bird list reveals over 367 (lowland and highland) species recorded here, nine of which are not anywhere else in Kenya. The Forest Reserve is particularly known for two of its threatened species i.e. Turner’s Eremomela and Chapins’ Flycatcher. Some of the other common bird varieties include Pink-backed Pelican, Black-headed Heron, Marabou Stock, Hadada, Harrier Hawk, Long-crested Eagle, Honey Buzzard, African Goshawk, Grey Kestrel, Crowned Crane, Green Sandpiper, Bronze-naped Pigeon, White-crested Turaco, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Spotted Flycatcher, Angola Swallow, Red-faced Cisticola, Red-chested Cuckoo, Cape Grass Owl, Montane Nightjar, Sabine’s Spinetail, Woodland Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Black-billed Barbet, Black-throated Honeyguide, etc.
Getting There
Tourists can only connect to Kakamega by road. The reserve is 415km away from Nairobi via Nakuru and Kapsabet towns. Visitors can get here using Buyangu Route gate, 600m from main road. Watch for signpost after 15km from Kakamega. Local cyclists who operate at the Kambiri junction can also lead to the reserve main entrance.
Climate & When to Visit
The Kakamega Forest is extremely wet, with an average of 2.08 meters of rain per year. There are two rain season; the heaviest comes in April – May (long rains); and August – September (short rains). However it gets slightly drier in June. January and February are the driest months. The temperatures are fairly constant for most part of the year, with mean daily minimums of about 15°C and mean daily maximums of about 28 C. For visitors, the best time to visit the park is during the rainy season (April-July) when the flowers are blooming.

Long Crested Eagle
Visitor Activities
Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the park by going for any of the following activities;
- Game Watching: Game to view includes Roan Antelopes, Buffalos, Leopards Rothschild’s Giraffes, Jackson’s Hartebeests, Bohor’s Reedbucks, Serval Cast and Hyenas.
- Guided Forest Walks: Kakamega Forest Reserve is one of the most dazzling areas in Kenya for forest walks. Most visitors do it for fun, leisure and educational purposes. The reserve is known for its unique and beautiful vegetation.
- Hiking: There are 7 kilometers of trails with a team of ranger guides to escort visitors through the forest. Hiking Buyango Hill, the highest point in the forest, is a must for visitors. The indigenous trees lining the trails are identified on signs with local names. The trails cover about 7km and hikers are accompanied by guides.
- Primate Watching: Kakamega offers excellent primate viewing Black and White Colobus are plentiful and the De Brazza Monkeys.
- Bird and Butterfly Watching
- Forest Camping / Picnicking
Visitor’s Packing List
- Drinking water
- Picnic items
- Camping gear if you intend to stay overnight
- Binoculars particularly for birding
- Well charged Camera
- Sun Rays Protection glasses