Kisere Forest – Discover Kenya’s Forgotten Rainforest with Lionking Safari Limited

Visit Kisere Forest for a Rare Kenya Safari

When most travellers picture Kenya, endless savannahs and roaming big cats come to mind. But with Lionking Safari Limited, the journey does not stop in the grasslands. Deep in western Kenya, tucked within the Kakamega rainforest ecosystem of Vihiga County, lies a destination few tourists ever reach Kisere Forest, Kenya’s last breath of true tropical rainforest.

This is where we take you when you want something rare, peaceful, and deeply authentic.

Kisere Forest is located near Kaimosi town in Vihiga County and forms part of the greater Kakamega Forest complex. It is the only remaining tropical rainforest system in Kenya, and Kisere serves as a critical biodiversity corridor linking surrounding forest fragments. Its quiet setting and limited visitation make it ideal for travellers seeking privacy and meaningful nature experiences.

A Walk into Ancient Wilderness

Stepping into Kisere Forest feels like crossing into another era. The towering Elgon teak, African mahogany, croton and red stinkwood trees rise high above, filtering sunlight into soft emerald shades. Beneath the canopy thrive medicinal plants, vines, mosses and fungi that have supported local communities for generations.

Wildlife Encounters

Kisere Forest is alive with movement:

• Black-and-white colobus monkeys leap between branches.

• De Brazza’s and vervet monkeys glide silently through the undergrowth.

• Rare bird species include the great blue turaco, blue-headed bee-eater, Turner’s eremomela, white-spotted flufftail and the African emerald cuckoo.

Smaller creatures complete the rainforest story. Butterflies shimmer along the trails, bush babies hide in the shadows, and colourful amphibians reveal themselves after the rains.

Culture and Conservation

For the surrounding Luhya communities, Kisere Forest is a living heritage. It has long provided traditional medicine, spiritual sites and indigenous wisdom. Today, Lionking Safari Limited works closely with community conservation initiatives and the Kenya Forest Service to ensure your visit contributes directly to protecting this fragile ecosystem.

Best Time to Visit

Kisere Forest can be visited year-round, but the best conditions are:

• Between June and September

• From December to February

During these periods, trails are dry and birdlife is at its most active.

Why Visit Kisere Forest with Lionking Safari Limited?

Because we go beyond the obvious. Our guided forest walks offer privacy, deep knowledge of the ecosystem, cultural interpretation and rare wildlife encounters that most visitors to Kenya never experience.

Kisere Forest is not about ticking animals off a list. It is about slowing down, breathing in rainforest air, listening to ancient trees and discovering a forgotten side of Kenya.

Let Lionking Safari Limited lead you into the heart of Kisere Forest Kenya’s rainforest secret waiting to be explored.