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What makes Kakamega Forest National Park special?
Kenya’s Kakamega County is home to the Kakamega Forest National Reserve. From Nairobi, it is 350 kilometers away by car.It includes 44.7 km² of protected land owned by the Kenya Wildlife Service. It is situated in Kenya and is the only intact rainforest that extends all the way to central Africa.The Kakamega Forest National Reserve is located in the Lake Victoria basin, just east of the Nandi Escarpment, which delineates the boundary of the central highlands, and about 40 kilometers north of Kisumu. The Yala and Isiukhu rivers, which eventually discharge into Lake Victoria after flowing through the forest, originate here.
Together with the reserve, the forest covers an area of around 238 square kilometers. Native forests still cover little about half of the National Forest Reserve. The 4,468-hectare Kakamega Forest National Reserve, which is situated to the north of the forest and covers an area of 45 km2, was created in 1985 as a national forest reserve. Directly to the north is the Kisere Forest Reserve. Kakamega Forest was first designated as a Trust Forest in 1933. In 1967, it was divided into two smaller Nature Reserves, Yala and Isecheno, which together accounted for roughly 700 hectares of the Forest Reserve. The region is dotted with several minor rivers and streams. The larger streams are typically encircled by a few to tens of meters of woodland that divides the glades on either side, even if the tiniest streams frequently create little marshy regions by cutting through open grasslands. This forest is home to a wide variety of fauna, such as bush pigs, Debrazzar monkeys, gigantic forest hedgehogs, pottos, and black and white colobus monkeys. Among the birds that can be seen here are the Blue Headed Bee Eater, Grey Parrots, Black Billed Turaco, and Turner’s Eremomela.
Kakamega Forest Reserve’s fauna
The Kakamega Forest National Reserve is one of Kenya’s tourist attractions. There are 380 identified species of plants. This includes 150 varieties of trees and shrubs, 60 species of ferns, and 170 types of blooming plants, including 60 orchid species—nine of which are exclusive to this forest. With over 367 different species of birds, including the black-and-white-casqued hornbill and the Great Blue Turaco of West Africa, the forest is a popular destination for birdwatchers. This region is home to nine distinct bird species. The park is home to a variety of primates, including blue, red tail, De Brazza, baboons, and uncommon vervet monkeys, as well as mammals including African clawless otters, huge African water shrews, bush pigs, duikers, bushbucks, mongooses, squirrels, pangolins, porcupines, and bats.
Kakamega Forest National Reserve’s Butterflies
Among other fascinating insects, there are Goliath beetles, pink and green flower mantis, and 489 kinds of butterflies with a wide variety of vibrant colors. The lepidopterans, orthopterans, beetles, and ants (Formicidae) are especially well-represented. Spiders, gastropods, and millipedes are examples of common insects. The park of Kakamega Forest is home to both amphibians and reptiles. Situated in the southernmost section of the forest, the Kenya Forest Service’s Isecheno Forest Station is the most popular destination for safari trips in Kenya. There are strangler fig trees in Kakamega Forest in addition to the well-known Mama Mtere tree, which is the most photographed tree there and also historically significant.
In addition to village walks and hiking, the forest provides hiking paths for activities including exploring the forest, camping, trekking, and seeing primates, birds, butterflies, and games. The Kakamega Rainforest Tour Guides (KRFTG) can set up safaris to the weeping stone, also known as the “Crying Stone,” at Ilesi along the Kakamega-Kisumu route, which is a well-known historical site in Kenya, or tours to Kisere Forest to see the De-brazes monkey in the north of Kakamega.
Visit Kakamega Forest National Reserve at the most favorable time
With fewer chances of rain, December through February and June through July are the ideal times of year to explore Kakamega Forest National Reserve. The local birds start reproducing in the middle of the year, and the emergence of butterflies in August adds a lot of color. Hiking is much more fun during the Dry Season, which runs from December to February.
Activities on a Kenyan safari tour in Kakamega Forest National Reserve
Observing birds
Birdwatching tours are available from the Kenya Forest Service beginning at 6:30 a.m. and 16:30. for a total of two hours. Take advantage of this chance to appreciate Kakamega’s remarkable variety of bird life.
Mother Mutere
is the term locals use to refer to Kakamega’s biggest and oldest tree. It is roughly 250 years old and 40 meters (131 feet) high. Traditional medicine has utilized its bark to treat stomach and other conditions.
Trekking
The only surviving rainforest in Kenya is Kakamega Forest National Reserve, which boasts a large, lovely forest with numerous hiking paths, viewpoints, and waterfalls that provide stunning views.
What makes Kakamega Forest National Park special?
Sunowner Kakamega Forest
This three-hour event, which takes place between 15:00 and 17:00, is also a planned sunset viewing from Lirhanda Hill.
Hill of Buyangu
The park entrance is 4 kilometers away from Buyangu Hill, which offers unobstructed views of the Nandi Escarpment to the east.
Cultural evening of the Luhya Tribe
Interaction and education about these Luhya people are possible. Savor their storytelling customs, dance acts, and legends.
Nighttime Adventure
The Kenya Wildlife Service often arranges nighttime trips. You may get up close and personal with the reserve’s nocturnal animals and sounds during a two-hour nighttime safari.
Kakamega Forest National Reserve travel instructions
By Road
The quickest road trip from Nairobi is 418 kilometers, passing through Nakuru and Kapsabet. After arriving at Timboroa, continue on the A104 road for 4 km until you reach a left turn that takes you to the C36 road to Kapsabet. Take the C39 road from there till it joins the Kisumu-Kakamega road. The C39 road is the fastest way to get from Eldoret to Kapsabet.
By Air
Travelers now have the option of flying to Kisumu or Eldoret and driving to Kakamega, or they can fly to Kisumu or Eldoret and board a scheduled flight to Kakamega.
Fee for Park Entry
Child of an adult
The citizen received Kshs 300 and Kshs 215.
Kshs 300 for residents, Kshs 215 for visitors
$25 USD for non-residents and $15 USD
Kakamega Forest National Reserve lodging options
There are a number of places to stay at the Kakamega Forest Reserve. In addition to the Pinecone Hotel, Best Western Hotel Kisumu, and Golf Hotel Kakamega, there are self-catering chalets and lodges and rustic campsites such the Isukuti Guesthouse, Udo Guesthouse, and Udo campground.
