The Kakamega Forest

The Kakamega Forest

One of Kenya’s best-kept secrets is the tropical rainforest known as Kakamega Forest, which is situated in Kakamega and Nandi County. It is roughly 35 kilometers from Lake Victoria and has a total surface area of 200 square kilometers. Furthermore, exploring various parts of this forest will provide you with an amazing experience, making it the ideal place to visit on your daring safari in Kenya.

Many mammal species can be seen by visitors as they explore Kakemega Forest. These include enormous forest hedgehogs, bush pigs, pottos, bushbucks, porcupines, aardvarks, and Debrazzar monkeys, among many others. Furthermore, this forest is home to numerous amphibians and reptiles, including snakes like Jameson’s mamba, forest cobras, bush vipers, Gabon vipers, and rhinoceros vipers, in addition to a huge number of lizards.

The wildlife found in Kakamega Forest
Over 300 bird species and about 400 butterfly species can be seen and appreciated when visitors take guided nature walks and have picnics in the Kakamega Forest Reserve, which is known as a birder’s paradise. Grey parrots, turner’s eremomela, violet’s black weaver, blue-headed beat eater, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, crested guinea fowl, huge kingfisher, big blue turaco, and many more are among the birds that may be seen in Kakamega forest.

Numerous beetle species, which are among the most diverse insect groups known worldwide, may be found in Kakamega Forest. These include ground-dwelling beetles and colorful jewel beetles, and they play a significant role in the ecosystem of the forest. Furthermore, these insects are essential to pollination and the forest’s breakdown processes. But there are also other kinds of insects in the forests, such as bees, ants, mantises, crickets, grasshoppers, damselflies, dragonflies, and many more. The forest’s varied vegetation and plenty of food sources always draw these species in and give them a good environment.

Due to the large number of individuals that use Kakamega Forest as their homesteads, it is also regarded as one of the most densely populated locations in the nation. However, because the locals prefer to consume the forest’s resources so extensively, this has a detrimental effect on the forest. Numerous organizations collaborate to safeguard this region, such as the Kenya Forest Services and the Kenya Wildlife Services, which seek to educate the local population about the dangers and drawbacks of relying too much on forest resources.

Over 380 plant species, 150 tree and shrub species, 170 flower species, over 60 orchid species, and many more are known to be found in the Kakamega forest, which is considered to be well-covered with flora. Additionally, there are other tourist attractions including hiking routes and breathtaking waterfalls that make this forest a huge destination.

Numerous moth species, which are renowned for their nocturnal activities and the variety of their shapes, distinctive colors, and sizes, are thought to call Kakamega Forest home. Furthermore, it is well known that certain moth species have amazing camouflage abilities that enable them to blend in with their surroundings.

Visitors that explore the Kakamega Forest are also fortunate to have access to a variety of engaging activities that allow them to experience new things. Some of these activities include the canopy walkway, which allows visitors to stroll among the treetops while taking in expansive views of the forest; hiking and guided nature walks, which give people the chance to experience the forest ecosystem, interact with wildlife, and find streams and hidden waterfalls along the way; wildlife viewing; bird watching; cultural encounters; research and education; and many more.

For additional information about the Kakamega forest, get in touch with our reliable tour operators. Then, make a reservation with one of our tour and travel agencies.