Kakamega Forest
Overview
Kenya Parks
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.
Kakamega Forest National Reserve is the only tropical forest left in Kenya. The forest is home to a variety of primates, and it is one of Kenya’s birding hot spots. It marks the easternmost distribution of many sought-after West African species. Even non-birders will appreciate the jungle atmosphere of the forest. Walking with a knowledgeable guide is the best way to explore the forest.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Many creatures live in the forest, but most are small and hard to spot. There are, however, a lot of primates. Some of the more conspicuous ones are black-and-white colobus, red-tailed and blue monkey. Nocturnal species include potto and bush baby. Other mammals, which are less easy to spot, include duiker, dik-dik and scaly-tailed flying squirrels. Butterfly enthusiasts are well catered for with more than 400 species recorded.
Scenery
Kakamega Forest harbors a rich tropical environment with an immense biodiversity. Despite the heavy logging of the 1970s, there are still large tracts of ancient hardwood, such as Elgon teak, in the forest. Other flora to look out for is the numerous ferns, orchids and flame lilies.
Weather & Climate
Kakamega Forest has a climate typical of tropical areas. Temperatures don’t rise or fall much throughout the year, and hot days are followed by cool nights. The area experiences a long Wet season (March to November), with most of the rain being dumped in April and May. It’s less damp during the comparatively brief drier season (December to February), but it can still rain a lot in these months.
Best Time To Visit
The periods when it rains less (December to February and June to July) are the best times to come to Kakamega. It’s breeding season for the local birds around the middle of the year, and in August and September a lot of color is added by emerging butterflies. Hikes are a lot more enjoyable in the drier season (December to February).
