Kenya's only tropical rainforest, a remnant of the Guineo-Congolian forest rich in birds, butterflies and primates
Kakamega feels nothing like the savannah parks. Tall trees and climbers close overhead, the air is humid, and the soundtrack is of turacos, hornbills and the calls of monkeys moving through the canopy. The forest lies at around 1,500 to 1,600 metres in the catchment of rivers flowing west to Lake Victoria, and receives plenty of rain through much of the year.
The forest is best explored on foot with a local guide along a network of trails and streams. Birdwatchers come for species such as the great blue turaco and black-and-white-casqued hornbill, while primate lovers look for De Brazza's, redtail and blue monkeys and baboons. There are more than 380 recorded plant species, including many orchids, and the butterflies are a highlight on sunny days.
Kakamega was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1933, and over the twentieth century large parts were logged or cleared for farms, so less than half of the roughly 238 square kilometre ecosystem remains as indigenous forest. Small nature reserves were set aside within it in 1967, and in 1985 the northern part was declared Kakamega Forest National Reserve under the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Today the southern section around Isecheno is managed by the Kenya Forest Service, while KWS manages the national reserve in the north. The forest has been the focus of long-term scientific research, including a large German-funded biodiversity project in the 2000s, and it is recognised as an Important Bird Area.
The forest is surrounded by farmland and villages of the Luhya community, and many families live right up to the forest edge, which puts steady pressure on what is left. Local guides lead walks and share knowledge of plants and their traditional uses. Kakamega town, about 18 kilometres away, is a busy regional centre with markets, shops and places to stay.
Most visitors spend one or two nights at simple lodges, bandas or campsites in or near the forest and go out with local guides on morning and afternoon walks. KWS lists nature trails, forest walks, streamside hikes, birdwatching and viewpoints, as well as a waterfall. Early-morning walks are best for birds, and the open glades and viewpoints are good places to look out over the canopy.
Kakamega is wet for much of the year, with rain falling in most months. The drier spells, roughly December to February and around June to August, make trails less muddy, but birds and primates can be seen at any time. Early mornings are best for birding.
Checked against the sources on 29 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.
General guidance from our specialists, not official information.
Kakamega town, with shops and hotels, lies about 18 kilometres away. Kisumu, on Lake Victoria, lies to the south, and Eldoret to the north-east; both have airports. The Crying Stone of Ilesi, a local landmark on the Kakamega–Kisumu road, can be visited with a local guide.
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Kenya · 7 nights4★ LodgeKenya · 9 nights4★ ResortThis guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 29 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.
