How to get to Kakamega Forest National Reserve: Kakamega Forest is a tropical rainforest situated in the Kakamega, Vihiga, and Nandi regions of Kenya, which is northwest of the capital Nairobi, and close to the border with Uganda. This forest is special because it is the only tropical rainforest in Kenya and is often referred to as the ancient Guineo-Congolian rainforest that covers a large part of Africa. If you’re looking for an exciting adventure, check out how to get to Kakamega Forest National Reserve and reach out to Kenya Safari Tours for help.
Kakamega Forest is about 45 kilometers (or 27 miles) north of Kisumu and 420 kilometers (or 260 miles) northwest of Nairobi.
By road.
If you’re planning a trip from Nairobi to Kakamega Forest Reserve, it will take you about six hours by car. Once you reach Kakamega town, it’s just an 18-kilometer drive to the forest station in the Kakamega rainforest.
You can easily get to Kakamega Town from Kisumu by taking a bus or matatu (a shared minibus). To explore the forest, you’ll need your own vehicle or you can join a safari tour.
The reserve is best explored on foot. The forest has many clearly marked walking trails. There are excellent and fully qualified local guides available for walking.
By Flight
Most travelers coming from Europe or North America to Kenya usually land in Nairobi, since it’s the main airport and there are many flight options available. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) southeast of the city. The second major international airport in Kenya is Moi International Airport (MBA), which is located around 9 kilometers (6 miles) west of Mombasa.
Charter flights between parks are typically arranged for you by your travel company, like Enclose Africa Safaris. You can catch daily flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Kisumu International Airport (KIS). There are multiple local airlines you can use to book your domestic flights to Kisumu.
You can arrange a pick-up, rent a car, or get a taxi at Kisumu International Airport (KIS), which is about an hour’s drive from Kakamega Forest Reserve.
Tourist activities to do Kakamega Forest National Reserve
Wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing at Kakamega Forest National Reserve is also another exciting activity to do while on your Kenya safari in the reserve. The reserve is home to an impressive number of wildlife though it’s not primarily a wildlife destination. During your wildlife viewing safari, you’ll have the opportunity to spot a variety of captivating animals roaming in their natural habitat such as bush pig, bushbuck, African clawless otter, giant African water shrew, blue monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, redtail monkeys and more.
Walking safaris
The forest is a lively place, filled with many types of monkeys, making it a great spot for primate lovers. During your nature walk tours, you’ll have the chance to meander through the lush bushes, you might catch a glimpse of beautiful chameleons. At night, the forest transforms into a whole new world, buzzing with bats and filled with the sounds of frogs, night birds, and the loud calls of big forest squirrels. During a nature walk, you’ll see tall trees, stunning waterfalls, and lots of different birds and monkeys.
Birdwatching
Kakamega Forest National Reserve is a fantastic spot in Kenya for birdwatching. It’s home to a large variety of birds, with more than 390 different species. During your bird-watching tours, you’ll have the chance to spot variety of unique bird species such as black cuckoo, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Crested guineafowl, Giant kingfisher, Great blue turaco, Vieillot’s black weaver, black-and-white casqued hornbill, African emerald cuckoo, blue-faced rufous warbler and brown-capped weaver among others.
Night walks
The Kenya Wildlife Society organizes fun events in the park, including a special two-hour evening safari. During this adventure, you can experience the sights and sounds of animals that come alive at night. The forest transforms after dark, filled with the calls of night birds, croaks of frogs, and the rustling of the big forest squirrel, along with some flying bats.
Guided night hikes are definitely worth trying. You might spot cool creatures like civets, genets, and bush pigs, and watch hammer-headed fruit bats soaring through the night sky. Some lucky visitors have even seen rare animals like potto and tree pangolins, not to mention the fascinating otter shrew, which is unique to Kakamega. Plus, there are plenty of interesting insects, like the gigantic goliath beetle, adding to the night’s excitement.
Hiking tours
You can find many hiking paths in the forest, offering visitors a unique experience in Kenya. The trails vary in length from 1 km to 7 km. One of the most famous longer hikes is the Isiukhu Trail, which links Isecheno to the lovely Isiukhu Falls and usually takes about half a day to complete. If you head to Buyangu Hill, which is 4 km away by car or on foot, you’ll get stunning views looking east towards the Nandi Escarpment. These hiking routes let you fully enjoy the beautiful nature all around you.
Butterfly watching
Kakamega National Park is home to over 4,800 types of beautiful butterflies and around 6,000 kinds of less colorful moths. Some of the butterflies you might spot there include the Mocker Swallow-tail, Regal Swallow-tail, Black-tipped Diadem, and Forest Mother of Pearl.
