Forest Reserves in Kisii County
Nyangweta Forest: A Roadside Treat
Beautiful roadside forests can be found in various parts of the Kenya, offering scenic drives and picturesque landscapes. Some great examples of these are; Bugar and Kessup forests in Elgeyo Marakwet, Kamatira Forest in West Pokot, Turbi Forest in Marsabit and the Aberdare Forest in Muranga, Nyandarua and Nyeri counties. Nyangweta Forest is Kisii County’s response to a scenic stretch winding through the forest, offering views of dense mature pines, picturesque villages, and panoramic vistas of Gusiiland. Harmonized by the highland climate, the pleasant drive through Nyangweta Forest offers an agreeable blend of nature, adventure, and tranquility, making it ideal for road trips and leisurely drives.
The 104-hectares Nyangweta Forest found in the southern region is Kisii’s only gazetted forest. Leaving out the flanks, which have been rubbed-out by decades of uncontrolled grazing and destruction, Nyangweta Hill itself and the adjoining Ibencho Hill piece themselves together as a pleasing landscape. Both these hills are designated as birding sites. Nyangweta Forest was planted with commercial pine, cypress trees and eucalyptus in 1958, and which were ready for harvesting after 30 years, in 1988. However, following the intervention of stakeholders, the local people and the Friends of the Nyangweta Forest to protect and conserve it, Nyangweta Forest was eventually gazetted in 2017 and designated as protected.
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
Kisii County is a vibrant region with a strong agrarian base, rich cultural heritage, and a growing economy. Continued development in infrastructure, with smooth blacktop connecting major towns and rural areas, has made it accessible from all directions. Kisii County’s scenic hills, waterfalls, cottage industries and modern hotels offer opportunities for visiting a region erstwhile relegated as agrarian.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Nyangweta Forest
A Guide to Kisii County County
A Summa Digest of Kisii
About Kisii Way Back When
16 Destinations in Kisii County, arranged as one would visit these - southeast, west then north - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Masabo Hill, Keroka Landscape, Nyakwana Falls, Lake Okari, Nyamarambe Falls, Gucha River, Manga Hills, Itibo Resort, Nyanchwa Hill, Sameta Hill, Kisii Boma Cemetery, Kisii Golf Club, Kamel Park Hotel, Tabaka Soapstone Industry, Nyangweta Forest, Tara Site
Know More About Nyamira County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Generally speaking, Kisii County is a hilly country, amply sloping steep and devoid of flat sweeps, with numerous ridges and valleys.
Kisii exhibits a pleasant highland equatorial climate, with adequate a bi-modal rainfall pattern. Temperatures range between 21oC – 30oC.
