Kakamega Forest
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Overview
Kakamega Forest is a tropical rainforest situated in the Kakamega and Nandi County of Kenya, northwest of the capital Nairobi, and near to the border with Uganda. It is Kenya's only tropical rainforest and is said to be Kenya's last remnant of the ancient Guineo-Congolian rainforest that once spanned the continent.
Kakamega Forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including over 380 species of trees, 330 species of birds, 27 species of snakes, 7 primates, over 400 species of butterflies and several mammals. Some of the notable wildlife species found in Kakamega Forest include:
- Primates: vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, pottos, and galagos.
- Birds: Blue-headed bee-eaters, black-billed turacos, Turner's eremomelas, and grey parrots.
- Snakes: Green mambas, black mambas, puff adders, and Gabon vipers.
- Other mammals: Forest elephants, bush pigs, giant forest hedgehogs, and duikers.
Kakamega Forest is also home to a number of indigenous communities, including the Luhya and Bukusu people. These communities have a deep connection to the forest and have depended on it for their livelihoods for centuries.
Kakamega Forest is a popular tourist destination, offering a variety of activities for visitors, including:
- Nature walks and hikes: There are a number of nature trails in Kakamega Forest, ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging. Visitors can take a guided walk or hike to learn about the forest's flora and fauna.
- Birdwatching: Kakamega Forest is a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 330 species of birds recorded in the forest. Visitors can hire a bird guide to help them spot some of the forest's most elusive birds.
- Primate tracking: Kakamega Forest is home to a number of primate species, including chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, and blue monkeys. Visitors can hire a guide to take them on a primate tracking excursion.
- Cultural tours: Visitors can learn about the culture and traditions of the Luhya and Bukusu people by visiting a local village.
Kakamega Forest is a vitally important ecosystem that provides a home to a wide variety of wildlife and plants. It is also an important cultural site for the indigenous communities who live in the forest. Visitors to Kakamega Forest can enjoy the forest's natural beauty and learn about its rich biodiversity.
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Crying Stone
The Crying Stone of Ilesi, also known as Ikhongo Murwe, is a large boulder located in the Ilesi Forest in Kakamega County, Kenya. It is about 40 meters tall and has a hole in the top that water drips from. This water is said to be the tears of a woman who was jilted by her lover and turned to stone.
The Crying Stone is a popular tourist destination and is also a sacred site for the local Luhya people. They believe that the stone has healing powers and that the water from the hole can cure a variety of illnesses.
There are a number of myths and legends surrounding the Crying Stone. One legend says that the stone is the petrified body of a woman who was turned to stone by a witch doctor. Another legend says that the stone is the crying face of a woman who is mourning the loss of her lover.
The Crying Stone is a natural phenomenon, but the exact cause of the water dripping from the hole is unknown. Some scientists believe that the water is coming from an underground spring, while others believe that it is coming from a crack in the rock.
Visitors to the Crying Stone can take a short walk from the main road to the stone. There is a small fee to enter the site. Visitors can also collect water from the hole in the stone to drink or to use for medicinal purposes.
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