Isecheno Blue Shouldered Guesthouse is a small, locally run guesthouse just outside Kakamega Forest in western Kenya. We sit within easy walking distance of Isecheno Forest Station, the hub of the southern forest and the starting point for many of its best birding trails.
Named after a forest songbird
Our name comes from the Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, a shy and beautiful singer of the forest undergrowth. Like the bird, we are modest — but those who find us tend to remember us.
Meet Smith Likare
Smith Likare manages the guesthouse and is widely recommended by visiting birders as an exceptional birding guide. He knows the forest's calls, feeding trees and hidden corners, and is happy to plan anything from a two-hour walk to a multi-day birding itinerary.
What we believe in
- Honest value. Clean, safe rooms with hot showers at budget-friendly prices.
- Local expertise. Guiding by people who grew up around the forest.
- Conservation. Tourism that gives the community a reason to protect Kakamega Forest.
- Warm hospitality. Home-cooked meals and a welcome that feels like family.
Ready to visit? Explore our rooms, tours and directions.