Kakamega Forest National Park
Kakamega Forest covers an area of about 240km2 and was established to protect the only mid altitude tropical rainforest in Kenya, a remnant and eastern limit of rainforests of Zaire and West Africa affinities are unique in Kenya and the forest contains many species found nowhere else in the country.
The forest lies in the Lake Victoria catchment, about 50km north of Kisumu and just West of the Nandi Escarpment that forms the edge of the central highlands. It was first gazetted as a trust forest in 1933 and two small Nature reserves, Yala and lsecheno were established within the forest in 1967.
In 1985, nearly 4400ha of the northern portion of the forest together with the adjacent Kisere Forest were gazetted as Kakamega Forest National Reserve. The forest is an important water catchment area with the lsiukhu and Yala Rivers flowing through it. The terrain is undulating with often steep sided river valleys.
The Kenya Wildlife Service welcomes you to Kakamega Forest National Reserve. In our efforts to maintain and preserve wildlife diversity, the importance of preserving a fragile ecosystem like forests cannot be overstated. With their unique flora and fauna, forests are important resource reserve for genetic banks, the medicine industry, nutrient recycling and C02 sequestation. The loss of such systems would therefore be a great loss to humanity. With this in mind we have put concerted efforts towards preservation of this unique ecosystem. It is our hope that apart from its aesthetic value, its life supporting values will be understood and highly appreciated now and in the future.
Kakamega Forest National Reserve is a walk through park. With its unique flora and fauna that are highly adapted to the forest ecosystem while you time away, tour guided or self guided nature walks, night walks, bird, butterfly and primate watching, camping and picnicking will keep you glued to this beautiful haven. The national reserve comprises of both Kisere and Buyangu Reserves for a total of 44.399km2. The Reserve is under strict protection management.
Being the only remnant in Kenya of the unique Guineo-Congolian forest ecosystem, the park offers unique wildlife and scenic beauty. The falls along the River Isiukhu and the riverine atmosphere along the Isiukhu river trail make you feel relaxed on the trail. Buyangu viewpoint gives a quick bird eye-view of the forest canopy. At the picnic site you can sit back and relax under the grass-thatched rest house while watching water birds at the waterpoint… binoculars are a must carry here.
Kakamega Forest National Reserve is located in Western Kenya: 15km from Kakamega town along the Kakamega-Eldoret Highway. Access is through the Buyangu gate, which is 600m off the main road. With public transport, visitors can alight at Kambiri junction. Local community cyclists popularly known as “boda boda” offer transport from the junction to the park. If visiting in personal transport, be on the look out for a signpost after 15km from Kakamega town on the highway.
Please contact us for Safaris to Kakamega Forest National Park Safaris
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