Kakamega Forest, Protected rainforest in Western Kenya
Kakamega Forest is a rainforest in Western Kenya that covers thousands of hectares and varies in elevation depending on location. The area is crossed by several rivers and contains different habitats that support a wide range of plant and animal life.
The forest gained protection in 1933 and was later expanded with additional reserves established over the following decades. These gradual measures reflect growing efforts to safeguard this woodland area.
The forest sustains nearby communities who gather firewood, building materials, and medicinal plants as part of their daily routines. These practices reflect a long relationship between local people and the woodland that surrounds them.
The southern section at Isecheno Forest station offers marked hiking trails and opportunities to observe wildlife. Local guides are available to help visitors navigate safely through the woodland.
The woodland is the last remaining piece of an ancient tropical rainforest that once spread across a much larger area of Africa. This forest formation holds hundreds of plant species and many orchid varieties found nowhere else in Kenya.
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