The forest is bounded to the south and west by a maize-growing belt, and sugarcane growing belt to the north. To the east are the Nandi Escarpments which rise to 2100m above sea level.
Rainfall records for 1976-1981 at Kakamega Forest station show that the forest receives 2215 mm of rain per year, while at the Agricultural Research Station in Kakamega records for 1923-1983 show an annual rainfall of 1956 mm.
Rainfall is heaviest in April and May (long rains), with a slightly drier June and a second peak roughly in August to September (short rains). January and February are the driest months.
Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year, with a mean daily minimum of about 110°C and mean daily maximums of about 260°C. The coldest month in the year is July due to higher rainfall which cools the forest inside, whereas the hottest daily temperature can be measured in January and February.
The Kakamega Forest is a low to mid elevation rainforest. Habitats within the established boundaries include indigenous forest, swamp and riverine forest, colonizing forest, disturbed forest, forestry plantations, and natural grass glades. Closed canopy indigenous forest covers about 30% of the official area, and is dominated by evergreen hardwood trees such as Funtumia africana, Ficus spp., Croton spp., and Celtis spp.
More than 120 species of trees have been recorded in the Kakamega Forest Ecosystem. More than 70% of all plant species are of minor or major medicinal importance.
The forest is also home to threatened tree species, Elgon teak and Prunus Africana which are species of special conservation concern (locally threatened and rare).
Kakamega forest
