Kakamega Forest

Forest Reserves in Vihiga

Kakamega Forest: A Gem of Western Kenya

About one-fifth of the 238 km2 Kakamega Forest Reserve lies along the eastern quarter of Vihiga County, seen along the Stendi-Kapsabet-Eldoret Road. There is genuine serenity and tranquil solitude about this beautiful tropical forest. Nature takes center stage. This is a gem of Western Kenya. It is about the wide-band bird melodies of the rain forest? or the sunlight piercing through the forest canopy? or its pretty waterfalls? or, even perhaps, the fine viewing deck at Bunyangu Hill that overlooks the roof of the forest? There is plenty to enjoy here. Kakamega Forest Reserve is both a scenic and exploratory park, and which adventure-makers can choose to discover by trekking, riding or driving. There are three accommodation options at Kakamega Forest – Isikuti and Udo Guest Houses and Rondo Retreat.


Kenya’s vast forest reserves are of immeasurable importance in biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and carbon storage. Collectively, these forests, natural and exotic, cover 2008 km2 or about 3.4% of Kenya’s land surface area, and 15% of the most fertile land. They also provide important recreational and ecotourism opportunities for visitors to enjoy Kenya’s natural beauty and wildlife.


Typified by lush, green landscapes with rolling hills, rivers, waterfalls and forest, such as the much-noted Nganyi and Kaimosi Forests, which offer scenic spots for nature exploration and birdwatching, Vihiga County is famous for its agricultural productivity, especially tea and subsistence farming. Despite challenges related to population density it continues to thrive as a hotspot for farming and tourism.

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Vihiga experiences a high equatorial climate with well distributed rainfall year-round. Temperatures range between 14ºC and 32ºC. 

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