Kakamega Rainforest
Discover Kakamega Rainforest
Kakamega Rainforest is the only tropical rainforest in Kenya. Located in Western Kenya, it is part of a larger area that makes up the last primeval rainforest in the country. It's also home to various monkeys and hundreds of bird species, some of which are threatened. The Kakamega Rainforest is the last that remains of the tropical rainforest that once stretched from the Atlantic coast across the African continent to the Indian Ocean. Even Kakamega is interspersed with open areas, both man-made and caused by wild animals. The altitude of the forest is between 1466 m and 1779 m above the sea level and it is divided into three parts. The first part is the national reserve, composed of the forests of Buyangu and Kisere in the north, and it is administered by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The second part is the forest reserve administered by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). The natural reserve, which is also administered by the KFS, is made up of two enclaves of the forest reserve Isecheno in the middle and Lirhanda in the south.
Taste of Kakamega Rainforest...
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A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Kakamega Rainforest into what it is today.
When described in the early 19th century, the rainforest covered 2400 km and was contiguous with the Nandi rainforest — today it has declined into about 10% of that. The Kakamega forest reserve was created in 1926, and in 1967 the Yala (nowadays Lirhanda) and Isecheno natural reserves were established. Back then, the region was used for farming and economical activity on a completely different scale than today, even as fees were eventually instated for using the forest. In 1984 large parts of the forests in the region were cut down in order to establish the Nyao-Kaimosi tea-growing zone, and thereby Kakamega was separated from Nandi. This was a watershed event in the history of Kakamega and since that measures have been taken to restore the rainforest. One year later the shamba system of small-scale farming (functional since 1910) was scrapped, and the national reserves of Buyangu and Kisere were created. Over the last decades nurseries for native trees, plants and shrubs have been set up, in addition to projects to help the indigenous butterflies (one of the forest's main attractions) and to introduct bee farming. Today "human interaction with the environment" is either prohibited or limited, though local peasants are allowed to pick up dead wood and graze cattle in parts of the forest. In 2010 the Kenya Wildlife Service submitted a proposal to UNESCO to include the Kakamega rainforest on the World Heritage list....
Climate
Daytime temperatures generally vary between 20°C and 30°C, and the lowest temperature ever recorded was 11°C. December to February are the driest months, while April, May and August are the wettest. As Kakamega is located almost right at the Equator, temperatures are in practice constant around the year and monthly differences in precipitation are far less pronounced than in other tropical locations. Large mammals such as elephants are rare in Kakamega, but there are a large number of different birds, snakes and butterflies. About 400 species of butterflies can be encountered here including Acraea, Junonia, Tirumala, Limenitidinae euphaedra and Charaxes, plus other insects like the goliathus goliatus, mantidae, and myriapodae.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere are different directions for getting in, depending where in the Rainforest you're heading to. The national reserve is open every day of the year between 6AM and 6PM. The entrance fee for foreigners is USD25 for adults and USD15 for children, youth and students with an international student card. The fee is payable in US dollars or Kenyan shillings. The Isecheno natural reserve is also open between 6AM and 6PM and the entrance fee is Ksh 600. Visiting the forest reserve is free, and you can enter anytime of the day. In the national reserve, motor vehicles are prohibited save for on the tracks to the Buyangu housing sites. The tracks are in good condition but rather busy. Otherwise, there are several paths around the forest for getting around by foot or bike. Bring a hat and waterproof clothes. They are they useful when it rains, and morning mist is a frequent occurrence in the valleys, especially in March and April....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
In the national reserve, motor vehicles are prohibited save for on the tracks to the Buyangu housing sites. The tracks are in good condition but rather busy. Otherwise, there are several paths around the forest for getting around by foot or bike. Bring a hat and waterproof clothes. They are they useful when it rains, and morning mist is a frequent occurrence in the valleys, especially in March and April. Insect repellent is also necessary, in particular for nighttime excursions. At the Isecheno entrance, guides are available for short walks, long walks, full day walks, and sunrise walks. The sunrise walk being particularly inspiring. The Kenya Forest Service organises walks and activities starting from the Forest Rest House in Isecheno: The places listed in Sleep below, except the Rondo Retreat Lodge, double as restaurants. These are in fact the only places in the rainforest you can have a prepared meal. Picnicking is allowed anywhere as long as you don't damage the environment.
Where to Stay
In the guest houses operated by the KWS, there are two rates, one for foreigners quoted in US dollars, and one for Kenyans quoted in Kenyan shillings. The national reserve, made up of the Buyangu and Kisere forests is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Servicem and the rest of the Kakamega Rainforest by the Kenya Forest Service. Open fires are prohibited everywhere save for at the designated areas in the camping grounds. You may encounter poisonous snakes in the forest, especially if you venture off the official trails. In the national reserve, "human interaction with the environment" is strictly prohibited and can carry a fine of Ksh 5000 or even imprisonment. In the two other areas, local peasants are allowed to pick up dead wood and graze cattle.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
The national reserve, made up of the Buyangu and Kisere forests is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Servicem and the rest of the Kakamega Rainforest by the Kenya Forest Service. Open fires are prohibited everywhere save for at the designated areas in the camping grounds. You may encounter poisonous snakes in the forest, especially if you venture off the official trails. In the national reserve, "human interaction with the environment" is strictly prohibited and can carry a fine of Ksh 5000 or even imprisonment. In the two other areas, local peasants are allowed to pick up dead wood and graze cattle.