Western Kenya Region
The Western Safari Circuit region is Kenya’s least visited in terms of tourism. This is a region of numbers. the western Kenya region consists of rich forests, swamps and some of Kenya’s rarest animal species. Kakamega forest is a habitat for over 300 bird species, the endangered De-Brazza,s moneky, the balck and white colobus monkey while Ruma national park is the only home to the roan antelope in Kenya and the Saiwa swamp is the only home to the endangered semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope
Kakamega Forest National Reserve
Kakamega Forest National Reserve is the only tropical rainforest in Kenya, left over from past millennia when dense rain forest stretched from West Africa, across Central Africa and into the highland areas on the west and eastern walls of the Great Rift Valley.
The sheer size and grandeur of these rainforest trees (of which Kakamega Forest reserve is one), some over a hundred years old, is impressive. The trees create a complete environment for the birds, insects, butterflies and wildlife, so plentiful in the area.
Ndere Island National Park
Ndere Island Park is only 4.2 square kilometers, an island just off the northern shore of Lake Victoria, opened in November 1986. Ndere means 'Meeting Place' in the language of the local Luo tribe. According to Luo folklore, Kit Mikayi, mother of the tribe, rested up near Ndere after her long journey south down the Nile Valley. She found the lush shoreline so pleasing that she and her people stayed.
Kisumu Impala Sanctuary
Kisumu Impala Wildlife Sanctuary was opened in October 1992, to protect a herd of impala and provide safe grazing grounds for hippo from the lake. It is used as a holding point and sanctuary for 'problem' animals, such as leopard, hyena and baboon. It is close to Kisumu town and occupies less than one square kilometer.
Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park was gazetted in 1968 and covers a narrow transect up the North Eastern slopes of the mountain, from lower montane forest to the caldera edge. The remaining forest and moorland is part of the Mount Elgon Forest Reserve. This national park is located on the western border of Kenya with Uganda, in Trans-nzoia District of Rift Valley Province. The Ugandan side of the mountain is protected within Uganda's Mt Elgon National Park.
Saiwa Swamp National Park
Saiwa Swamp National Park is the smallest national park in Kenya. It was established in 1974 and is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. The park covers just 2.9km² and was created specifically to protect the habitat and preservation of the rare Sitatunga, an aquatic antelope.