​Getting There – Kakamega Forest

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Map of Kenya Map of Kenya
Kenya Map

Your entry point to the country will most likely be Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 15km/9mi southeast of the capital city Nairobi.

Kakamega Forest National Reserve is 420km/260mi northwest of Nairobi and 45km/27mi north of Kisumu. The drive from Nairobi takes about 6 hours*. You can organize a pickup, rent a car or take a taxi from Kisumu International Airport (KIS), which is an hour’s drive* from Kakamega.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

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Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), and what tickets would cost.

Domestic Flights

Charter flights between parks are usually organized by your tour operator. There are daily flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Kisumu International Airport (KIS). Some Nairobi-to-Kisumu flights also leave from Wilson Airport (WIL), 6km/4mi south of Nairobi. Domestic flights to Kisumu can be booked with several carriers:

  • AirKenya (Flights to/from Entebbe in Uganda and the Masai Mara)
  • Jambo Jet (Flights to/from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Mombasa and Eldoret)
  • Kenya Airways (Flights to/from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport)
  • Safarilink (Flights to/from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport)

Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements

Please check our Getting There – Kenya page to learn more about passport, visa, COVID-19 and other entry requirements.

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