The Kakamega Forest is the last remaining section of tropical rain forest in Kenya. A part of the Congo-West African equatorial rainforest, the 45 square km reserve is bordered on all sides by fertile farmlands, making this small area a refuge for a huge number of animals, insects and plants.

The Forest itself is incredibly diverse, with over 125 species of trees, orchids, creepers and bushes. The high forest canopy shades the ground, preventing thick undergrowth from forming. Walking is surprisingly easy and one of the best ways to explore the Forest as the animal and insect life is small, but truly spectacular.

Over 400 of Kenya's 1000 butterfly species may be found here. Several animals, such as the bush-tailed porcupine, giant water shrew and hammer-headed fruit bat, are found nowhere else in the country. Colobus and blue monkeys cavort in the trees and shy duikers peer out from the occasional bush.

Kakamega is a bird-spotter's paradise with incredibly rich bird life. In one morning you could easily spot over 100 species!

Rarely visited except by researchers, Kakamega is well off the beaten track and wonderful for walkers, birders and those who simply wish to relax in a tropical rainforest.