Kakamega Rainforest & Isukuti Dance
UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers Programme
From August, 17th to August, 27th 2023
Education / Culture
Kakamega County
WHV Programme
THE SITE
Kakamega Forest is a tropical rainforest situated in the Kakamega and Kisumu Counties 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.
Its West African affinities are unique in Kenya, and the forest contains many species found nowhere else in the country. It is an important and significant natural habitat for conservation of avifauna as it currently provides a habitat for the highest number of forest dependent bird species in Kenya. The undulating terrain with steep sided river valleys gives the forest its exceptional natural beauty and acts as an important catchment for Isiukhu and Yala Rivers, and it’s one of Kenya's top bird-watching destinations.
OBJECTIVES
The project aims at raising the awareness of the local communities about the need to protect Kakemega Forest as a potential World Heritage site, to encourage the local and international volunteers to preserve, promote and conserve the Isukuti culture.
ACTIVITIES
The volunteers will participate in forest walks and biodiversity monitoring programmes to discover the site’s biodiversity, and they will share knowledge and exchange experience with local students regarding World Heritage preservation.
Additionally, they will carry out hands-on activities to maintain tree and nursery facilities, assist in the farming of butterflies, and facilitate the construction of traditional houses.
The project will incorporate some elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and provide volunteers a chance to experience it, such as the Isukuti culture and dance.
PARTNERS
Kenya Wildlife Service, Kakemega Forest Reserve Guide Association, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO Youth Forum, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa
ACCOMMODATION
Volunteers will stay with local hosts. Accommodations are very simple, there is running water, and meals will be prepared by volunteers and sometimes the hosts will cook.
Beds and mattresses will be provided. Volunteers need to carry; mosquito nets, sleeping bag and water purifying tablets.
LEISURE ACTIVITY
The Southern part of Kakamega forest, Isecheno Forest station run by the Kenya Forest Service, is the most accessible in Tourism. There is the well-known Mama Mtere tree, a historic tree and the most photographed tree in Kakamega forest. There are also strangler fig trees.
There are hiking trails in the forest that allow for forest walking, camping, hiking, primate watching, bird and butterfly watching, game watching and village walks.
The Kakamega Rainforest Tour Guides (KRFTG) can arrange tours to visit the weeping stone (Crying stone) at Ilesi, located along the Kakamega-Kisumu road, or Kisere Forest to see the De-brazes monkey in the north of Kakamega. Also bird watching, morning 6:30 am – 8:30 am, is fantastic walk or evening 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm.
PROJECT FEE
380€ (monthly) which include project work, housing, all meals, transport from the airport and to the project site, and 24 hours on side staff support.
ARRIVAL TERMINAL
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Visit to The Conservator of Kakamega Ecosystem where volunteers learnt about the Kakamega forest, its threats and the conservation efforts in place.
Briefing at the Kakamega forest station where the volunteers learnt about the cooperation between Kenya Forest Service and the community to sustain the forest
Isukuti Dance