There is nothing that screams nature louder than a forest. With the green trees, frequent rains, nature trails, birds chirping on the trees, rivers flowing and the sun’s rays making their way through trees to the smaller ones, you couldn’t go anywhere else to experience all these at once. Thousands of endemic and exotic tree species grow and make home to a thousands of species of mammals, birds and herbivores. Come and experience the grandeur, beauty and diversity of Kenya’s forests.
Mount Kenya Forest
Mt Kenya, Africa’s second highest peak is regarded as the realm of Ngai, god of the local Kikuyu people. The mountain itself is an awe-inspiring sight with its ragged peaks, and equatorial snow. Mount Kenya is surrounded by a belt of verdant forest that is an equally fascinating destination.
Traditionally, all Kikuyu homes were built to face this sacred peak. They call it Kirinyaga, or place of light. While the 5199 metre summit is a difficult technical climb, the lesser peak of Point Lenana (4985m) can be easily reached by any fit trekker.
This trek takes between 3 and 5 days, through a fascinating world of forests, wildlife, unique montane vegetation including podocarpus and grounsel, and finally one of the worlds rarest sights, equatorial snow.
For those who don’t want to climb the Mountain the cool highlands that surround its base are well worth a visit. The forests are ideal for game viewing, and there are crystal clear mountain streams that are the perfect place to land a Trout.
Getting Around – Main road access to Mt Kenya is via Nanyuki or Naro Moru, both easily accessed from Nairobi by bus/matatu or private transport. Some trekkers access the Mountain from the small village of Chogoria. There is an airstrip in Nanyuki, with both scheduled and charter flights available. Many trekking companies can organize transfers from Nairobi to Mt Kenya. Hotels in Nanyuki and Naro Moru can organize transfers to the gates of Mt Kenya National Park. The forests can also be accessed from Kiganjo.
Kakamega Forest
The sheer abundance of birdlife here is overwhelming. This is an important primate reserves, and the forest is full of monkeys of many species. Beautiful Chameleons are often seen in the undergrowth. At night the forest is a different world, the air filled with bats and ringing with the sounds of frogs, night birds and the booming call of the giant forest squirrel.
Despite its easy accessibility, Kakamega is a quiet haven for nature lovers, the perfect place to relax for a few days. The forest has many walking trails, and there are plenty of very good guides available.
Getting Around – Road access to Kakamega is via Kakamega Town, easily accessible from Kisumu by bus/matatu. You’ll need your own transport, or to be part of a safari, to get to the forest. Kakamega is best explored on foot. The forest has many clearly marked walking trails. There are excellent and fully qualified local guides are available for walking. See Trekking for more details.
Aberdare Forest
The Aberdares are the third highest range of mountains in Kenya, reaching a summit of just over 4000m. This massive range is well known for its thick salient forests, and their prolific game.
These high altitude forests are broken by moorlands and plains, and through the abundant tree cover there are sensational views of the Rift Valley and the peak of Mt Kenya.
The forest is a hidden world of wildlife. The thick vegetation provides perfect cover for countless species.
Very large herds of Elephant and Buffalo move almost silently through the undergrowth, while overhead noisome birds and colobus monkeys dominate the canopy.
At night the forest comes alive, the cries of hyrax and the distinctive rasping growl of leopard echoing among the trees. The Aberdares has two ‘Tree Hotels’, unique safari lodges set high in the canopy above waterholes and natural salt licks.
Night sees an unending procession of game emerge from the forests to visit these clearings.
This is an ideal opportunity for guests to unobtrusively observe game at length. A night in the Aberdares is unforgettable. Elephant herds surround the waterholes, drink and then fade way into the forest.
Buffalo bulls fight over territory in spectacular battles. Sleek Genet cats descend from the trees and slip through halls of the lodge. the Occasionally a Rhino or the elusive Bongo antelope appear and visit the waterhole.
The Aberdares can also be explored by vehicle, or on foot. There are trekking trails throughout the forests, and across the moorlands. A few days spent here is one of Kenya’s best forest treks.
The foothills of the Aberdares are ideal for exploring on horseback and there are crystal clear mountain streams that abound with Trout. The Aberdares are a great place for waterfalls.
There are a series of spectacular falls along the range, and at Nyahururu, Thompson’s Falls have became a popular rest stop for travellers.
Getting Around – Main road access to the Aberdares is via Mweiga or Nyeri, both easily accessed from Nairobi by bus/matatu or private transport.
You’ll need your own transport, or to be part of a safari, to get to the forest. Many trekking companies can organize transfers from Nairobi to Mt Kenya. The forest lodges also have daily transfers.
There are good roads within the park, though 4WD is needed during rain. The lodges and hotels here organize game drives. There are hiking trails through the Aberdares. A ranger guide is compulsory.