If there was ever a place called heaven then this must be it. Located about 400kms from the Kenyan capital Nairobi and about 55 kms from Kisumu City is Kakamega Forest, a natural sanctuary for different animals, plants and Bird species. We are totally taken aback by the serenity and calm of the forest quite an environment compared to the bustling life of the nearby Kisumu city. It’s 9 a.m. in on a Sunday morning and our group of 11people are the only ones it seems, who are in the vicinity. Sounds of birds chirping away in the trees are quite comforting and make us feel one with nature. We opt for a nature walk till midday before we settle down for a lunch cum picnic and because we do not a have a forest guide with us we are very careful not to wander from the well trodden paths lest we get lost in the forest. The trails take us on a walk that is twisting and both in surprises and discovery for with each and every turn we get to encounter different flora and fauna. The most amazing being tall and shady trees with some having trunks as thick as five human beings holding hands together in a circle.
Time seems to move so fast for come lunch time we meet another group of nature enthusiast in an opening in the forest sitting down for their packed lunch and we do not hesitate to join them in what becomes a sort of bonding encounter that has everyone introduce themselves and share personal experiences on life. We soon part ways with the other group both wiser, happier and with lifted spirits i.
Its approaching late noon and since there are signs of rain we all decide that it would be much safer if our walk was to be heading toward the exit gate as we were advised that when it starts raining it usually does so for a long time and we also ran the risk of getting lost. Early evening finds us at the gate and for parting we decide to have cold drinks that we brought along for the walk. KWS Staff at the gate are very friendly and offer us a place to relax till 7.00pm till the vehicle we had hired from Kisumu arrives to pick us up for the journey back to the city.