Kakamega Forest
- Region
Lake Victoria catchment
Information status: VerifiedSource: Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (opens in a new tab) · checked 18 Oct 2026
- About
Kenya's only remnant of the tropical rainforest that once stretched across central Africa — a mid-altitude rainforest that is the easternmost outlier of the Congo Basin forests.
Information status: VerifiedSources: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab); Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (opens in a new tab) · checked 18 Oct 2026
- Highlights
- More than 330 bird species recorded, including the great blue turaco
- De Brazza's monkey, black-and-white colobus and blue monkey
- Around 350 butterfly species thought to occur
- Nature trails and the Buyangu Hill viewpoint at sunrise
Information status: VerifiedSources: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab); Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (opens in a new tab) · checked 18 Oct 2026
- Good for
- Wildlife
- Hiking
- Photography (only here among these)
KenyaPlus categories. Dark: only here among these places.
- Suggested time
At least 2 days
Information status: UnconfirmedKenyaPlus editorial guidance for a comfortable visit, not an official rule.
- Road time from Nairobi
~6 h, about 350 km — a long day
Information status: EstimatedDriving time on the road route from openrouteservice (OpenStreetMap data, built 2026-10-24), plus 20% for stops, towns and slower traffic. Real times depend on road condition, traffic and the time of day. Road routes © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT, map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
- When to go
Long rains March–May (peak expected in April in 2026); short rains October–December.
Information status: EstimatedA summary of Kenya's national rainfall pattern from the Kenya Meteorological Department: long rains March to May (with the peak in April inland and May on the coast, as KMD expected for 2026) and short rains October to December. Other months are shown as between the rains. Rain varies by year and place, and between-the-rains months can still be wet.
For Kakamega County, the Kenya Meteorological Department expects above-average rainfall in October–December 2026, with rains already falling from September and continuing into January.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
A seasonal forecast, not a guarantee. KMD also issues monthly and weekly updates.
- Entry fees
KenyaPlus holds a fee record — see Kakamega Forest for figures and their label.
- Confirm before booking
- Which part of the forest you will visit — it is managed in sections
- Guided walks and accommodation near the forest
- How you will travel from Kisumu or Kakamega town