Kakamega Forest Reserve
Kakamega forest Reserve is exceptional to explore on safari in Kenya as it includes biodiversity like Snakes, primates, butterflies and countless tree species and natural glades as well as the De Brazza monkeys. On your safari to the forest reserve, you enjoy guided nature walks through high canopies listening to bird calls and chatters of monkey troops.
How to Get to the Reserve
By Road
Kakamega Forest Reserve can be accessed by use of road along the shortest route from Nairobi (418 km) via Nakuru and Kapsabet. Follow the A104 road as far as Timboroa and continue for another 4 kms. Turn left on the C36 road to Kapsabet. From there, take the C39 road until it joins the Kisumu – Kakamega road.
From Eldoret, follow the shortest route via the C39 road to Kapsabet. When transferring from Kakamega town, the park is 18 kms towards Webuye/Eldoret route.
By Air
Kakamega Forest Reserve can be accessed using air. This includes flying from Nairobi to Kakamega or Kisumu or Eldoret. On reaching here, you are welcomed and picked up by a driver guide to Kakamega.
Activities to do at the National Reserve
Guided Nature walk
Guided Nature Walks are incredible to do at Kakamega forest reserve and these are led by experienced park ranger guides who inform you about the green forest as well as the animal species you watch and adventures you can engage in. These nature walks give you a chance to view monkey species, beautiful Chameleons, bats, frogs, night birds, giant forest squirrel. You shall also watch numerous species of birds, primates etc.
Bird Watching
Bird watching is exceptional to do in the reserve as more then 300 bird species are recorded. The bird species you view are Blue Headed Bee Eater, Black Billed Turaco, Turner’s Eremomela, Grey Parrots, Blue-headed bee-eater, Crested guineafowl, hornbills, Great blue turaco, Snowy-crowned robin chat, etc. As you watch birds, you can view many other primates i.e the de Brazza’s monkeys, colobus monkeys, black-cheeked-white-nosed monkeys and Sykes monkeys.
Guided Night Walks
Guided Night Walks are remarkable to do and require you to transfer for a period 2 hours watching many nocturnal animals like bats, frogs, night birds, giant forest squirrel. Other than these, watch bush pig, genet and civet. Hammer-headed fruit bats can be seen in flight. Rare views of potto and tree pangolin have been recorded too.
Trekking
Trekking in the forest is exceptional following varying hiking trails ranging in length from 1km to 7kms. Longer walks include; following the Isiukhu Trail that adjoins Isecheno to the small Isiukhu Falls hence ethe most popular requiring you a minimum of half a day. The 4kms drive or walk to Buyangu Hill allows for uninterrupted views east to the Nandi Escarpment. While on the walks/ treks, enjoy views at nature.
Cultural Evening with the Luya Tribe
While around the forest reserve, you shall transfer to visit the local people of the Luya Tribe. On meeting these people, you shall learn about these indigenous people as you engage in dance/ drama performances as they tell you traditional stories and legends.
Butterfly Watching
Kakamega Forest Reserve is ideal for travelers interested in watching butterflies. There are over 4800 species of colored butterflies and an additional 6000 species of the less colored butterflies, moths that are watched while walking around the reserve. Common types of butterflies like the Forest Mother of Pearl, Mocker Swallow-tail, Regal Swallow-tail, Black-tipped Diadem are also seen.
Camping
Camping safaris are exceptional to do in the reserve’s beautiful rain forest. The forest offers serene surroundings, cool atmospheres and gorgeous backdrops. All travelers interested in sleeping under the starts in the wild, the reserve is your perfect get away.
