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Murinduko Hill

Forest Reserves in Kirinyaga

Murinduko Hill Forest: An Isolated Landmark

Not far from Njukiri Forest, south of Embu town via B7 Embu-Kivaa-Kitui Road, lies the Murinduko Hill. Although much of the 19.4 km2 Murinduko Hill Forest sits in Kirinyaga County it’s much easier approached through Embu town. During the colonial era, Murinduko Hill was part of Njukiini location, an area that stretched as far as Njukiini and Njukiri forests. It is one of few isolated hills that terminate the gently rolling landscape hitherto seen on the approach to Embu from Makutano.

Murinduko Village (1350 ms above sea level) is a non-irrigated area outside Mwea Irrigation Scheme. It is situated on the slopes of the Murinduko Hill Forest and is served by two streams that flow at the edge of the village. Murinduko Hill Forest, which has the highest representation of larval habitat types among the forests in Central Kenya, also has a delightfully unique topographic profile, especially of its cliffs, gorges, and valleys pieced together by the river action and temporary pools formed within the forest. The local community run ecotourism tours around the forest to the unique landforms, crest viewpoint, apiary, and to traditional shrines.


Kenya’s vast forest reserves are of immeasurable importance in biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and carbon storage. Collectively, these forests, natural and exotic, cover 2008 km2 or about 3.4% of Kenya’s land surface area, and 15% of the most fertile land. They also provide important recreational and ecotourism opportunities for visitors to enjoy Kenya’s natural beauty and wildlife.


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Known for its agricultural productivity, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural heritage, Kirinyaga is a key contributor to Kenya’s economy. Located at the foot of Mount Kenya, its landscape is characterized by lush green tea and coffee farms, rivers, and rolling hills, and the weather, year-round, is temperate and salubrious.

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Kirinyaga has a true tropical climate with equatorial rainfall pattern. Mean temperature ranges from a low of 8oC in the upper zones to 30oC in the lower zones about Mwea.