Kakamega Forest
National Reserve
is the only
tropical
rainforest in
Kenya, left over
from past
millennia when
dense rain
forest stretched
from West
Africa, across
Central Africa
and into the
highland areas
on the west and
eastern walls of
the Great Rift
Valley.
The sheer size
and grandeur of
these rainforest
trees (of which
Kakamega Forest
reserve is one),
some over a
hundred years
old, is
impressive. The
trees create a
complete
environment for
the birds,
insects,
butterflies and
wildlife, so
plentiful in the
area.
Kakamega Forest
includes some of
Africa's
greatest hard
and soft woods:
Elgon teak, red
and white stink
woods and
several
varieties of
Croton and
Aniageria
Altisima.
Splendid orchids
sit amongst the
branches of the
larger trees.
Walking beneath
the lush forest
canopy the deep
shade is pierced
by flashes of
colour, exotic
birdcalls, the
scents of wood,
flower and moss.
The best time to
visit is during
the rainy
season, April to
July, when the
flowers are at
their most
beautiful.
There are 7
kilometers of
trails with a
team of ranger
guides to escort
visitors through
the forest. The
walk to Buyango
Hill, the
highest point in
the forest, is a
must for
visitors. The
indigenous trees
lining the
trails are
identified on
signs with their
local and latin
names.
Butterfly
in
Kakamega
forest |
The
endangered
De
Brazza
monkey
in
Kakamega |
Kakamega Forest
is twice the
size of Nairobi
National Park
with 380 species
of plants spread
in swamps,
riverine and
hardwood forest
areas, glades
and the shallow
forest around
the edge of the
reserve. 350
species of bird
have been
recorded
including rare
snake-eating
birds.
Butterflies and
snakes normally
only found in
West Africa can
also be seen,
although
visitors need
have no concern
about meeting
them round every
corner. Forest
mammals include
bushpig, grey
duiker, civet,
Sunni, clawless
otters and some
fascinating
nocturnal game:
Ground Pangolin,
porcupines and
the occasional
leopard.
Kakamega forest
reserve offers
excellent
primate viewing:
Black and White
Colobus are
plentiful and
the De Brazza
Monkeys and rare
species of
primate like the
Blue Monkey,
frequently seen
near the Ishiuki
Falls, the Olive
Baboon and the
Red Tailed
Monkey.
Ruma National
Park was created
as a reserve in
1966 to protect
the only
remaining
habitat of Roan
Antelope, the
Park is in the
Lambwe Valley in
South Nyanza,
140 kilometers
from Kisumu
town. The 120
sq. kilometers
Park is a mix of
rolling
savannah,
woodlands,
rivers and
hills. Its main
attractions are
game viewing,
birdwatching,
hiking and
walking, and
fishing in the
rivers.
Game to view
includes:
Bohor's
Reedbuck,
Rothschild's
Giraffe,
Jackson's
Hartebeest, Roan
Antelope,
buffalo,
leopard, serval
cat and hyena,
as well as
diverse
birdlife. There
is not
hotel/lodge
accommodation in
the Park, but it
has two
campsites.
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