The place for Bird watchers.

The Kakamega Forest National Reserve is Kenya’s only tropical rain forest situated in The Western Province in the Lake Victoria basin, about 50km north of Kisumu city.Acces to the park is By Road from Nairobi since there are no scheduled flights to Kakamege from Nairobi, Kisumu or Eldoret.The forest including reserves encloses about 238 Kilometers square. The forest is mostly between 1500 m and 1600 m above sea level. Throughout the forest are a series of grassy glades, The origins of the glades are uncertain. Some are certainly recent clearings, but others predate recent records. These may have originated from past human activity such as cattle grazing or may be the result of herbivore and movements by large mammals such as buffalo and elephants though now they cannot be found in the region. It is the only place in Kenya where the unique Guineo-Congolian forest ecosystem can be found! The park offers unique wildlife and scenic beauty. For bird and butterfly watchers, With over 400 species of butterflies, 350 species of trees mostly indigenous and 27 species of snakes this is the place to visit! Some of the most common tree species in the region include some of Africa's greatest hard and soft woods: Elgon teak, red and white stinkwood and several varieties of Croton and Aniageria Altisima. 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 ,60 species of orchids of which 9 species are found only in this forest.

The Kakamega forest has an Average annual rainfall of between 200 mm-700 mm annually .With 2 rain seasons the long rain season from April to May and short rain season from August to September.January and February are the driest month’s .Temperature is constant at between 20c to 30c

The park is also home to 7 primate species including the endangered DeBrazza monkey, black and white Colobus monkey and Vervet monkey. duikers and Dik diks and also The Potto (the world's slowest mammal) are also found in Kakamega Forest National Reserve. Bush Pig,  Bushbuck, African Clawless Otter, Mongoose, Giant African Water Shrew, Squirrels, Tree Pangolin, Porcupine, Bats and a variety of primates. Occasionally one can also sport a leopard.

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.Some Bird Species include, ARDEIDAE, Herons , SCOPIDAE, Hammerkop CICONIIDAE, Storks ,THRESKIORNITHIDAE, Ibises , ANATIDAE, Ducks , ACCIPITRIDAE, Birds of Prey etc. The major attractions of this researve is bird watching,Butterfly watching: over 400 species of butterflies Massive Trees, Scenic Spots and Waterfalls Over 350 species of trees, the forest holds mostly indigenous vegetation. Snakes and Primates Watching.