Wildlife at Kakamega Forest National Reserve

Wildlife at Kakamega Forest National Reserve.

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. Wildlife at Kakamega Forest National Reserve is something to look forward to on your Kenya Safari tour. Forest reserve being dense tropical rainforest in Kenya, it has over 360 species of birds, 7 species of primates, over 510 species of butterflies, over 1000 species of plants including woody trees, vines, orchids, ferns, shrubs, and herbs. Kakamega forest also, it has many species of mushrooms that are unique and colorful. Although teeming with small animals, Kakamega Forest is not primarily a wildlife destination. Time has stood still for the Kakamega Forest National Reserve, a remnant of the rain forest that stretched all across Central Africa. This beautiful forest is home to various mammals including bush pigs, giant forest hedgehogs, colobus monkeys, and pottos. Leopards have been occasionally reported, but the last official sighting was in 1991. Some of the birds to be seen here include the Blue Headed Bee Eater, Black Billed Turaco, Turner’s Eremomela and Gray Parrots. Mammals that occur in the park include bushpig, duikers, bushbuck, African clawless otter, mongoose, giant African water shrew, squirrels, tree pangolin, porcupine, bats and a variety of primates including the blue monkey, redtail monkey, De Brazza’s monkey, baboon, potto and the occasional vervet monkey. There are seven primate species of which you could easily see black-and-white colobus, red-tailed and blue monkey. The very rare de Brazza’s monkey is more difficult to find. Bird watching, hiking, and rock climbing can be enjoyed here in the serenity of the forest that time forgot. Some of the birds to be seen here include the Blue Headed Bee Eater, Black Billed Turaco, Turner’s Eremomela, and Gray Parrots. Insects are abundant and some are quite spectacular, such as Goliath beetles, pink and green flower mantis, and numerous colorful butterflies (489 species). Particularly well-represented groups are ants (Formicidae), Lepidopterans, Orthopterans, and beetles. Gastropods, millipedes, and spiders are also common. The flora and fauna of Kakamega Forest has not been extensively studied.