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What birds can I expect to see in the Kakamega Forest, Kenya (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter timsg80
- Start date
Larry Lade
Moderator
I remember seeing quite a few turacos, barbets, greenbuls and hornbills when I was there. I went with an Elderhostel Group so do not know about the various guides. I think we were there for two or three days.
lewis20126
Well-known member
Greg
I've never been but perhaps the most important bird to see is Turner's Eremomela, the best world site for what is a "near endemic". Have a good time!
cheers, alan
I've never been but perhaps the most important bird to see is Turner's Eremomela, the best world site for what is a "near endemic". Have a good time!
cheers, alan
Steve G
RAINBIRDER
Base yourself at Rondo retreat as you are then effectively in the forest. As it takes almost a day to reach Kakamega by road from Baringo, Nakuru, the Mara or Nairobi you should aim to spend a minimum of three nights which will give two full days birding. I would definitely recommend a guide as local knowledge of some of the forest tracts is a prerequisite for a good haul in a short period of time.
The list of what you can see is too long for me to include here but some of the more outstanding birds include:Turner's Eremomela, Jamieson's and Yellow-bellied Wattle-eyes, Shrike Flycatcher, Fairy Blue Flycatcher, Bar-tailed Trogon, Great Blue Turaco, Black-billed Turaco, Black & White Casqued Hornbill, Blue-headed Bee-eater, various barbets (including Yellow-billed, Hairy breasted, Grey-throated and Double-toothed), an assortment of Greenbuls and numerous other quality supporting cast. Here is a gallery of some of the bird images I took at Kakamega (I still have a number of images to add): http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbirder/sets/72157627846502910/
I can thoroughly recommend Ben Obanda as a local guide.
The list of what you can see is too long for me to include here but some of the more outstanding birds include:Turner's Eremomela, Jamieson's and Yellow-bellied Wattle-eyes, Shrike Flycatcher, Fairy Blue Flycatcher, Bar-tailed Trogon, Great Blue Turaco, Black-billed Turaco, Black & White Casqued Hornbill, Blue-headed Bee-eater, various barbets (including Yellow-billed, Hairy breasted, Grey-throated and Double-toothed), an assortment of Greenbuls and numerous other quality supporting cast. Here is a gallery of some of the bird images I took at Kakamega (I still have a number of images to add): http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbirder/sets/72157627846502910/
I can thoroughly recommend Ben Obanda as a local guide.
Larry Lade
Moderator
Some nice shots, Steve. Those brought back some fond memories of when I was there!
chowchilla
Well-known member
Kakamega Forest is fantastic. The others have summed up what sort of stuff you can expect there. I would say a local guide is a must as there are very specific places you need to go for certain birds. Enjoy!
Carol Baldock
Carol Rushton
Hi Gregor,
As I am following your current thread of your between school and university list, I was pleased to see that you finally made it to visiting Kakamega, at the end of August / early September of this year and have seen that you spent 4 nights at the Rhondo retreat.
Please could you tell me if you used a local guide, as advised above and, if so, who you used / would recommend there.
Did you feel that this was the right amount of time to spend there?
Do you feel that it should be combined with another part of Kenya, to visit? I believe that you only visited there and spent a little time around Nairobi, too?
I believe that you flew to Kasumi. Was it easy to get to Rhondo retreat lodge from there ?
Look forward to hearing your advice.
Best wishes, Carol and Rob
As I am following your current thread of your between school and university list, I was pleased to see that you finally made it to visiting Kakamega, at the end of August / early September of this year and have seen that you spent 4 nights at the Rhondo retreat.
Please could you tell me if you used a local guide, as advised above and, if so, who you used / would recommend there.
Did you feel that this was the right amount of time to spend there?
Do you feel that it should be combined with another part of Kenya, to visit? I believe that you only visited there and spent a little time around Nairobi, too?
I believe that you flew to Kasumi. Was it easy to get to Rhondo retreat lodge from there ?
Look forward to hearing your advice.
Best wishes, Carol and Rob
