Kakamega Forest is a Tropical Rain forest located northwest of Nairobi, Kakamega County, Kenya. The forest covers 230 square kilometers and less than half of the forest remains indigenous forest. Currently it covers an area of about 19,792.4 hectares in size after several excisions over time and creation of Kakamega National Reserve. Flora found in the park include some of Africa’s greatest hard and soft woods: Elgon teak (Olea welwitschii), red stinkwood (Prunus africana), white stinkwood, several varieties of croton, and Pouteria altissima. There are 380 recorded species of plants. This includes 60 species of ferns, 150 species of trees and shrubs, and 170 species of flowering plants including 60 species of orchids with 9 species found only in this forest.
Wildlife in the Kakamega Forest
Visitors can enjoy bird watching, hiking and rock climbing in the serenity of the forest. The forest has 367 recorded species of birds with the most unique 9 species which are not found anywhere in the world. This beautiful forest is home to various mammals including bush pigs, giant forest hedgehogs, colobus monkeys, Debrazzar monkeys and pottos.
