Forest Reserves in Kirinyaga
Njukiini Forest: On Mount Kenya’s Slopes
Located on the lower slopes of Mount Kenya, Njukiini Forest, a rather large track of Eucalyptus, pine and cypress plantation – interspersed with an dwindling area of indigenous trees along the margins, from which traditional beehive hangs – is surrounded on all sides by numerous private farms. No wider than a thousand hectares, its dense closed-canopy provides plenty of traditional wood fuel for the surrounding villages. Njukiini Forest separates Embu and part of Kirinyaga known as Gichugu. In the precolonial era the Ndia and Gichugu Kikuyu of Kirinyaga were similar to other “stateless” societies of Central Kenya. For many generations now, Njukiini Forest was an open access resource without well-defined property rights.
Njukiini Forest (in Kirinyaga County) and Njukiri Forest (in Embu County) form a contiguous forest block on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya. In Embu, Njukiri Community Forest Association (NCFA), with support from Kenya Forest Service, has been continually involved in tree planting exercises to replenish the degraded areas. It was in recognition that the environment and forest protection is a shared responsibility that all must tirelessly help solve. Between 2015 and 2017, NCFA planted 150,000+ tree seedlings – 75% exotic and 25% indigenous tree species with an average survival rate of 75%, while Kangaita Community Forest Users Association has replenished 55 hectares of Njukiini Forest in Kirinyaga County.
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.
Index of National Forests & Forests Reserves in Kenya
Baringo County - Tugen Hills Forest, Lembus Forest, Koibatek Forest, Bomet County - Chepalungu Forest, Trans Mara Forest, South Western Mau Forest Reserve, Bungoma County - Chepkitale Forest, Busia County - Budalang'i Forest, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Bugar Forest, Kessup Forest, Embobut Forest, Cherangani Hills Forest Reserve, Embu County - Njukiri Forest, Murinduko Hill Forest, Kirimiri Forest, Kiangombe Forest, Irangi Forest, Homa Bay County - Gwassi Hills Forest, The Kodera Forest, Kakamega County - Kakamega Forest Reserve, Kisere Forest, Malava Forest, Kericho County - Mau Forest Complex, Masaita Forest, Kiambu County - Kinale Forest, Kereita Forest, Kilifi County - Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, Mwangea Hill Forest, Dakatcha Woodland, Kirinyaga County - Murinduko Forest, Njukiini Forest, Kisii County - The Nyangweta Forest, Kitui County - Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve, Muvaroa Hill Forest Reserve, Laikipia County - Marmanet Forest Reserve, Mukogodo Forest, Lamu County - Witu Forest, The Dodori Forest, Boni-Lungi Forest, Machakos County - Iveti Forest Reserve, Makueni County - Kibwezi Forest Station, Marsabit County - Marsabit National Reserve, The Turbi Forest, Meru County - Giitune Sacred Forest, Mucheene Forest, Mpogoro Forest, Ngaya Forest, Nyambane Hill Forest, Ngare Ndare Forest, Muranga County - Aberdare Forest Station, Nairobi County - Ngong Forest, The Karura Forest, Nandi County - South Nandi Forest, North Nandi Forest, North Tinderet Reserve, Nyandarua County - Nyandarua Forest, Dundori Forest, Samburu County - Kirisia Forest, Taita Taveta County - Ngangao Forest, Vuria Hill, Fururu Forest, Tharaka Nithi Forest - Chuka Forest Station, Vihiga County - Nganyi Forest, Kaimosi Forest, The Kibiri Forest, West Pokot County - Kamatira Forest
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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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Explore Destinations Nearby Njukiini Forest
A Guide to Kirinyaga County
A Summa Digest of Kirinyaga
About Kirinyaga Way Back When
35 Destinations in Kirinyaga County, arranged as one would visit these - south, west, east then south - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Sagana Getaway Resort, Camp Malta, Tana Station, Thingira Cultural Village, Kwetu Home, Gatitika Falls, River Nyamindi, Mwea Rice Scheme, Mwea Classic Marathon, Ndaraca ya Ngai, Rukenya Islands, Murinduko Hill, Njukiini Forest, Kijani Camp, Timstep Hotel & Campsite, Savage Wilderness, Rapids Camp, Sagana Fisheries, Ruamuthambi Falls, Thiba Falls, Thiba Dam, Kamuruana Hill, Ragati Conservancy, Kiburi Farm & Stay, Thiba Fishing Camp, Outdoorsman Cabins, Kathiri Falls, Castle Forest Lodge, Castle Falls, Mount Kenya, Kamweti Route, Kangere Falls, Gichugu Farms, Karumandi Falls
Know More About Kirinyaga County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with aid of strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
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.
Mount Kenya, occupying on the northern half of Kirinyaga, to a large extent influences both the landscape and the climate. The dryer lowland, typified by pleasant rolling plains, covers most of Mwea.