Activities at Kakamega Forest National Reserve.
You may be asking yourself what to do on your visit to Kakamega Forest National Reserve, here we bring you some of the activities you can do when you visit this great beautiful park.
Kakamega forest is the only tropical rain forest in Kenya that use to stretch from West Africa to East Africa in Western Kenya.
Kakamega forest national reserve is very unique with a lot of wildlife that allows you to explore on foot, hiking watching birds, butterflies, very old massive rain forest trees, massive strangler fic trees, and primates.
Nature walk.
This is an important primate reserve, and the forest is full of monkeys of many species. Beautiful Chameleons are often seen in the undergrowth. At night the forest is a different world, the air filled with bats and ringing with the sounds of frogs, night birds, and the booming call of the giant forest squirrel. The number of birds and primates can be spotted during the nature walk, include giant trees and spectacular waterfalls. There is a Fig Tree that is thought to be over 700 years old in the forest
Bird Watching.
The forest is home to more than 300 bird species and the sheer abundance of birdlife here is overwhelming. The reserve is especially good for birders but is also home to several primates, including de Brazza’s monkeys, colobus monkeys, black-cheeked-white-nosed monkeys, and Sykes monkeys, and birds that occur nowhere else in the country. In the rich forest canopy above, look for the blue-headed bee-eater, black-billed turaco, grey parrot, and hornbill with its distinct chopping sound as it soars above you.
Night Walks
Also organized by Kenya Wildlife Society at the park. A 2-hour nighttime safari will bring up close to the nocturnal creatures and sounds of the reserve. At night the forest is a different world, the air filled with bats and ringing with the sounds of frogs, night birds, and the booming call of the giant forest squirrel. Night walks are conducted by the spotlight, and are more than worthwhile. Some of the nocturnal creatures you might encounter are bushpig, genet, and civet. Hammer-headed fruit bats can be seen in flight. Rare sightings of potto and tree pangolin have been recorded and a real Kakamega special is the giant otter shrew. There are lots of interesting insects as well, including the super-sized goliath beetle.
Trekking
The forest has a network of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy one of Kenya’s most unique attractions. Trails here vary in length from 1km to 7km. Of the longer walks, Isiukhu Trail, which connects Isecheno to the small Isiukhu Falls, is one of the most popular and takes a minimum of half a day. The 4km drive or walk to Buyangu Hill allows for uninterrupted views east to the Nandi Escarpment. The hiking trails here allow you to be intimate with the thick swath of close-up nature all about.
Cultural Evening with the Luya Tribe.
Meet and learn about these indigenous people. Enjoy their dance performances and their telling of traditional stories and legends.
Butterfly Watching
The Kakamega National Park houses over 4800 species of colored butterflies and an additional 6000 species of the less colored butterflies, moths. Common types of butterflies are the; Forest Mother of Pearl, Mocker Swallow-tail, Regal Swallow-tail, Black-tipped Diadem
Camping
For those who enjoy an outdoor adventure such as camping, this park is then home for you, as you get lost in the hidden treasured canopy of Kakamega, with beautiful rain forest. The park is one of the best places to camp in the country.
Coupled with the serene surroundings, cool atmospheres, and gorgeous backdrops, nothing beats a night out of the wild at the Kakamega National Park, when a campfire is lit, then you have the who treasure with you, enjoy a cool night break, waking up with beautiful melodies from the winged ones, as making the morning calls, that will strike your ears and all your left with is to smile and try to guess which bird is that that is trying to color out your morning, by the time you realize it’s morning, a cap of tea awaits by your tent.
Photography
Everyone loves the idea of freezing a beautiful moment, an encounter with the park will leave you taking thousands of photos, to take back home with you that you will smile at, every time you look at them. Bringing your camera with you is mandatory lest you miss out on capturing some of these once in a lifetime moments.