Kakamega Forest is Kenya’s only tropical rainforest, a surviving fragment of the ancient Guineo-Congolian forest that once stretched across much of equatorial Africa. Spread across Kakamega, Vihiga and Nandi counties in western Kenya, not far from the Uganda border, the forest covers roughly 238 sq km, of which about half remains indigenous, undisturbed woodland.
The forest at a glance
- Kenya’s only true tropical rainforest, sitting at 1,500–1,600 metres elevation
- Kakamega Forest Reserve gazetted in 1933; Kakamega National Reserve, covering the northern portion, established in 1985
- Annual rainfall of roughly 1,200–1,700 mm, with wetter spells in April–May and August–September
- Isecheno Forest Station is the main hub for guided walks and overnight stays
Wildlife and birds
More than 360 bird species have been recorded here, including the great blue turaco and the black-and-white-casqued hornbill, with several species found nowhere else in Kenya. Primates are a highlight, with blue monkeys, redtail monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys and baboons regularly seen along the trails, alongside pottos, bushbucks, duikers and African clawless otters. Nearly 500 butterfly species and striking insects such as Goliath beetles add to the forest’s reputation among naturalists. Leopards once ranged here but have not been confirmed since the early 1990s.
Flora
Kakamega holds close to 400 recorded plant species, including some 150 tree and shrub species, dozens of fern varieties and around 60 orchid species, several of them found only within this forest. Towering hardwoods and a dense understorey give the reserve a genuinely equatorial feel that is unusual anywhere else in Kenya.
Things to do
- Guided nature walks with local forest guides, best arranged from Isecheno Forest Station
- Early morning and late afternoon birdwatching, when activity peaks
- Primate watching along the forest trails
- Nature drives and short hikes through varied forest habitat, from dense canopy to forest-edge glades
Practical information
- Reached by road from Kisumu or Kakamega town; the forest is well off the main safari circuit, which keeps it quiet
- Guides and simple accommodation are available at Isecheno Forest Station and nearby community-run camps
- Rain gear and sturdy footwear are worth packing, since forest paths can be muddy after rain
Kakamega is a different kind of Kenya experience, one built around forest walking, birding and primates rather than open-plains game drives. Offmap Safaris can combine it with a wider western Kenya route or a Lake Victoria extension. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.