western kenya region
This is an area of hidden gems for those who enjoy life off the regular tourist trail.
The area offers rich forests, swamp and strange rock formation home to some of Kenya’s rarest animal species. In particular, it features the rain forest of Kakamega, covering 240 square kilometers, which provides a habitat for over 300 species of birds and experiences annual rainfall of over 2,000 mm. The Kakamega Forest also contains a variety of animal species including endangered De-Brazza’s monkey, which is found in the nearby Kisere Forest Reserve.
This is also the only place in Kenya where it is possible to view traditional bullfighting - not quite the spectacle seen in Spain, because, in this case, the fighting takes place between two bulls.
LAKE BARINGO
Altitude: 3,500 feet above sea level.
Airstrips: Kampi ya Samaki (Baringo)
Activities: Boat rides, Bird Watching, Hot springs, visit to Njemps fishing village.
North of Lake Nakuru, with unusually spectacular scenery is Lake Baringo, another fresh water lake. Cone-shaped islands make this stretch of water particularly interesting. This is a breeding ground for many species of fresh water birds, such as Fish Eagles, Verreaux’s Eagles, Darters, Cormorants and a large colony of Goliath Heron. Apart from the bird life there is also a large number of Hippo that live in the lake.
Baringo is the home to the Njemps fisherman who go about their traditional lifestyle in their amazing and unsinkable reed boats.
LAKE BOGORIA NATIONAL RESERVE
Altitude: 3,200 feet above sea level.
Area: 107 square kilometers.
Airstrips: Kampi ya Samaki (Baringo) – 25 Kms.
Opened: November 1970
Activities: Game Drives, Bird Watching, Hot Springs & Baths from natural Spa.
Lake Bogoria itself occupies most of the reserve, which is really a spectacular sight, reflecting searing blue skies and the rose pink of Flamingo. It has significant ornithological interest with over 135 species of birds. Like Nakuru, the alkaline lake waters grow blue-green algae, which seasonally attract hundreds of thousands of Flamingo.
The surrounding bushed grasslands are home to a number of animals. The Reserve’s herd of rare Greater Kudu makes it unique and other game to view includes: buffalo, zebra, impala, dik-dik and many other small animals.
The south shore has acacia-ficus woodland and the north is a papyrus swamp.
There is one lodge in the reserve “Lake Bogoria Hotel”, but Liberty Africa Safaris prefers to use accommodation in Lake Baringo, which is only 25 kilometers away.
Also reached on the Baringo/Bogoria circuit is Lake Kamnarok National Reserve opened in June 1983. It has a diverse landscape with a 4,000 ft. deep valley with semi-tropical vegetation on its slopes contrasting with the dry thorn bush at the base.
The main game to see is bushpigs, waterbuck, buffalo, elephant, Rothschild Giraffe, dik-dik and warthog. Water birds include pelicans and grebe. Kamnarok can be visited as a day trip from either Baringo or Bogoria.
MOUNT ELGON NATIONAL PARK
Altitude: 8,000 to 13,800 feet above sea level.
Area: 169 square kilometers.
Airstrips: Elgon (At Park Headquarters).
Opened: April 1968
Activities: Game Drives, Elephant Cave Exploration, Hiking and climbing.
Mount Elgon is the third highest mountain in East Africa. It is situated on the Kenya / Uganda border and was formed when the earth’s crust erupted, creating the Great Rift Valley. This National Park is one of Kenya’s most beautiful, still wild and intact, with vast areas of untouched forests. Game viewing is excellent; the park is home to an estimated 500 elephants, buffalo, leopard, the protected colobus and blue monkeys, giant forest hog, waterbuck and various other types of antelope as well as over 240 species of birds. Huge Elgon Teak and Cedar trees, some over 80ft. tall, dominate the forest scenery.
A major attraction is a series of four caves, all explorable. The largest of these is Kitum, extending more than 200 meters horizontally into the heart of the mountain. It’s Maasai name means “Place of Ceremony”. The caves are a favorite gathering place for the elephant. Every night, long convoys venture deep into the caves to feed off the rich salt deposits. This nightly practice has earned them the title “underground elephant”.
Mount Elgon also offers excellent climbing and walking opportunities. No special equipment or experience is required and the park management provides guides. The highest peak on the Kenyan side is Koitobos (4,200 meters). It is reached across beautiful moorlands and the Hot Springs can be visited on the way.
There are no lodges in the park, but Elgon can be visited as a day trip or there are number of beautiful campsites for both luxury mobile-tented operations and budget campers.
Saiwa Swamp National Park is one of Kenya’s smallest National Parks, only 3 square kilometers. Opened in 1974 to protect the semi-aquatic Sitatunga Antelope notable for it’s webbed wide spread hooves, which allow it to walk on the surface of the swamp. It is also the home of the endangered De Brazza Monkey, a variety of otter, giant forest squirrel, Black and White Colobus, bushbuck and gray duiker. Saiwa Swamp is only for walking; vehicles cannot enter the park. There are three nature trails, bridges for walking over the swamps and three Sitatunga viewing platforms.
Kerio Valley National Reserve was established in 1983 for it’s bio-diverse importance, covering an area of 66 square kilometers. Kerio valley is 4,000 ft. deep with tropical vegetation on the slopes leading down to dry thorn bush at the base. It provides some very impressive views.
KAKAMEGA FOREST NATIONAL RESERVE
Altitude: 4,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level.
Area: 240 square kilometers.
Airstrips: Kakamega Airstrip (15 Kilometers).
Opened: May 1985
Activities: Nature walks, bird viewing, butterfly watching.
Kakamega forest reserve is the only tropical rain forest in Kenya, left over from the past millennia when dense forest stretched from West Africa and into the highland areas on the west and eastern walls of the Great Rift Valley. The forest has been a protected area of Kenya since it’s vital role was first recognized in 1933. The sheer size and grandeur of these rainforest trees, some over a hundred years old is impressive. The trees create a complete environment for the birds, insects, butterflies and other small wildlife.
The forest includes some of Africa’s greatest hard and softwoods; Elgon teak, red and white stinkwoods and several varieties of Croton and Aniageria Altisima. Splendid orchids sit amongst branches of the larger trees. Walking beneath the forest canopy the deep shade is pierced by flashes of color, exotic birdcalls, the scents of wood, flower and moss. The best time to visit is during the rainy season when the flowers are at their most beautiful.
There are 7 kilometers of trails with a team of ranger / guides to escort visitors through the forest. The walk to Buyango Hill is a must for most visitors. The indigenous trees lining the trails are identified on signs with their local and Latin names.
The Reserve is twice the size of Nairobi National Park with 380 species of plants and 350 species of birds. Certain species of butterflies and snakes that are normally found only in West Africa can also be seen. Forest mammals include; bushpig, Grey duiker, civet cat, Sunni, clawless otters, Black and White Colobus, De Brazza monkey, blue monkey, olive baboon and some fascinating nocturnal game such as ground pangolin, porcupines and the occasional leopard.
There are two campsites in the forest, but there is only one hotel / lodge worth mentioning, Rondo Retreat 35 rooms. In nearby Kakamega Town there is the Kakamega Golf Hotel, which claims to be of a tourist standard, but is not up to expectations.
Kakamega can be done as a full day excursion from Eldoret or Kisumu. Also visited en route from one to the other.
Ruma National Park is another area that can be included in this western Kenya circuit. Created as a reserve in 1966 to protect the only remaining natural habitat of the Roan Antelope, the park is in the Lambwe Valley in South Nyanza, 140 kilometers from Kisumu town.
The 120 square kilometers park is a mix of rolling savannah, woodlands, rivers and hills. Its main attractions are game viewing, bird watching, hiking, walking and fishing in the rivers.
Game includes: Bohor’s Reedbuck, Rothschild Giraffe, Jackson’s Heartebeest, Roan Antelope, Buffalo, Leopard, Serval Cat and Hyena.