Kakamega is a city of around 100,000 inhabitants in the Nyanza province in Western Kenya. It's a common starting point for trips to the nearby Kakamega Rainforest.

Get in

By plane

Kakamega does have a small airport, but as of July 2017 the passenger services are limited to two weekly flights from nearby Eldoret (that itself is just about 100 km away by road) which in turn has flights from the capital Nairobi. In addition there are airports in nearby Kitale and Kisumu that also have flights from Nairobi.

By bus

• 1 Bus station (Kisumu and Nairobi bus station), Chilli Park. 

Kakamega is served by three bus companies:

• Coast Bus, ☏ + 254 722 206453 (Kakamega ticket sales), + 254 20 24519000 (general number). Cities served: Bungoma, Kakamega, Kaimosi, Kisumu, Kitui, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Voi 
• Easy Coach, ☏ + 254 20 2210711 (general number), + 254 738 200313 (Kakamega ticket sales). Cities served: Bungoma, Busia, Eldoret, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kericho, Kisumu, Kitui, Malaba, Maseno, Mumias, Nairobi, Nakuru, Sirare, Siaya, Rongo, Usenge, Mbale and Kampala (Uganda) 
• Modern Coast, ☏ + 254 726 978852 (mobile phone). Cities served: Bungoma, Busia, Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Malaba, Malindi, Migori, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Voi, Webuye, Dar es Salaam and Tanga (Tanzania), Kampala (Uganda) 

By car

From Kisumu it's a 50 km drive along the Jomo Kenyatta Highway (route 1) towards Kakamega and Webuye, taking about 45 minutes. Eldoret is 105 km or two hours away, drive along route 104 almost to Webuye, and continue along the route 1 towards Kakamega and Kisumu.

Eat

• 1 Franky Grill, Off Kakamega-Mumias Road, ☏ + 254 722 748131 (mobile phone), reservation@frankahotel.com. Barbecue restaurant, with a view to the kitchen. 

Drink

• 1 Hush Club & Lounge, Canon Awori Street, ☏ + 254 722 178674 (mobile phone), kakamegaclub@gmail.com. 24h every day. Bar and disco. 

Sleep

• 1 Sheywe Guest House, Off Kisumu-Webuye Road (right before Holden mall), ☏ + 254 56 30320. 
• 2 Kakamega Guest House, Off Kisumu-Webuye Road (next to the market), ☏ + 254 710 548388 (mobile phone), kakamegaguesthouse@gmail.com. Rooms with bathrooms. Parking for 50 cars. 
• 3 Ambwere Alliance, Kisumu-Webuye Road, ☏ + 254 56 31358, fax: + 254 56 31358. 
• 4 Siaya Guest House, Kisumu-Webuye Road, ☏ + 254 733 614010 (mobile phone), info@siayaguesthouse.com. 40 rooms. Bar, restaurant and two conference rooms. Guarded parking. KES 3000-8000, including breakfast. 
• 5 Golf Hotel, Khasakhala Road (towards the airport), ☏ + 254 56 30150, + 254 728 833974 (mobile phone), info@golfhotelkakamega.com. Free Wi-Fi. 56 standard rooms and 2 suites with balcony. Bar and restaurant with local and international cuisine. Guarded parking. 100-205 USD, depending on room. 

Go next

Ilesi Crying Stone

• 1 Kakamega Rainforest (Kakamega Forest National Reserve), ☏ + 254 56 30603 (mobile phone), kakamegaforest@kws.go.ke. Kenya's last primeval rainforest.  
• 2 Ilesi Crying Stone. A 40 metre high rock and one of several "crying stones" in the region. They got their name from the fact that they are always wet at the base, even during dry periods.