Kakamega Forest National Reserve

Step beneath the canopy of Kakamega Forest; Kenya's only tropical rainforest and you enter a living relic of an ancient ecosystem that once blanketed the entire African continent, alive with birdsong, primates and air thick with the scent of moss and earth. Situated in Kakamega County in Western Kenya, this extraordinary forest is the last surviving remnant of the ancient Guineo-Congolian rainforest that once stretched unbroken across the African continent. A network of forest trails, grassy glades, streams and shaded clearings wind through the reserve, each one a gateway into an ecosystem of remarkable richness that rewards every step of exploration.

Kakamega is celebrated above all for its extraordinary birdlife; 367 species have been recorded within the forest, including the spectacular Great Blue Turaco, the Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill and at least 9 species found nowhere else on earth. Primates are a constant and entertaining presence, with Blue monkey, Red-tailed Monkey, De Brazza's Monkey, Black-and-white Colobus and the Nocturnal Potto all inhabiting the forest. Bush Pig, Bushbuck, African Clawless Otter, Tree Pangolin and Giant African Water Shrew complete a wildlife community of remarkable richness and diversity.

Beyond its wildlife, Kakamega harbours one of Africa's most spectacular insect communities; 489 butterfly species, Goliath beetles and striking pink and green Flower Mantis fill every layer of the ecosystem. The southern section of the forest, centred on Isecheno Forest Station, is the most accessible for visitors and is home to the iconic Mama Mtere tree; a towering historic giant and the most photographed tree in the entire forest. Strangler figs and ancient hardwoods draped in moss and ferns complete a botanical world unlike anything else in Kenya.

Kakamega offers an immersive range of activities suited to every kind of visitor. Guided forest walks, primate tracking, birdwatching, butterfly watching, night walks and hiking trails are all available through the Kakamega Rainforest Tour Guides (KRTG); local experts whose deep knowledge of the forest brings every walk to life. Birdwatching is at its finest during the early morning walk from 6:30-8:30am and the evening walk from 4:30-6:30pm, when the forest is most alive with activity. Day excursions to the Weeping Stone at Ilesi and the Kisere Forest Reserve to the north; home to the rare De Brazza's monkey; can also be arranged.

The communities surrounding Kakamega Forest are as much a part of the experience as the forest itself. The Luhya people have lived alongside this ancient ecosystem for generations, and an evening with local community members offers storytelling, history and a performance of the Isukuti dance; a vibrant UNESCO-recognised cultural tradition performed to the beat of the Isukuti drum. It is a fitting close to a day spent inside one of the most extraordinary natural environments in all of East Africa.