Forest Reserves in Meru
Nyambene National Reserve: The North Beacon
The heavily wooded group of long hills and range rising to 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) at the highest elevation in the northern area of Meru County flie within the Nyambeni Forest Reserve. The hills also add to the mosaic of views along one of the most pleasing drives in Isiolo County from the point of view of scenery. The range is elongated in a north-east to south-west strike from the slopes of Mount Kenya varying in height from a few hundred feet in the south to fifty feet or so to the north, in which direction it gradually disappears. The gneiss hills close to Isiolo have been eroded down to about 5,700 feet and thus are somewhat recessed.
Densely wooded, the distinct Nyambeni Range, a shield volcano, is capped by phonolite lava domes, basaltic cones, and lava flows of late-Pleistocene. This sequence of volcanic ash cones puys of Nyambeni Range remain unfamiliar to many, partly because travelling to this region was only previously made by few strong-minded trippers who had to brave the sultry, torrid, dusty and desolate region with roads in disrepair. Today, the Nyambeni Range is within easy reach via a newly laid road that will end up in Wajir. Beyond the range, the plains merges with moderate lava cones, which extend this bolster rugged puys to near Isiolo.
96 kms from Meru Town along B6 Embu-Meru Road, north along A2 Nanyuki-Isiolo Road, and then northeast along B9 Isiolo-Mandera Roads sits Nyambene Forest, originally gazetted as a 640 km2 forest reserve under Kenya legal notice and reestablished in 2002 as the 265 km2 Nyambene National Reserve. It is home to various sacred natural sites, diverse flora, unique landforms and rivers. Native communities have preserved their role and responsibilities, passed down over centuries by their ancestors, as custodians of these sacred shrines through time.
Groves in the 5391-hectare in Nyambene Forest are revered as sacred shrines to the Ameru community living along the northeastern slopes of Mount Kenya. “This is a resource from which customs, spiritual practices, and governance systems are derived to protect the territory as a whole and maintain its order, integrity and well-being” – Gloria Borana. Contiguous with the Samburu National Reserve and abutting with the Buffalo Springs National Reserve, the reserve is named after its highest hill, the most conspicuous geological feature that rises to about 2514 ms.
The landscape around Nyambene Forest Reserve is a moving spiritual and cultural destination with biosphere of unprecedented beauty. A sanctum to behold and be captivated by the simple beauty of an unspoiled forest. It also hosts the Igombe or Magado Crater. The higher reaches of Nyambene Hill or Range can be topped on a long afternoon hiking adventure. The birds nesting place or “Gachiuru” as its locally called, is a bird watchers paradise within Nyambene, populated with over 10000 nests artistically hanging in acacia trees. The bird colonies are active during the morning hours and in the evenings. Birds to be found here include the great horned owls, balbers, doves, and the greater sage grouse, amongst many others.
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
Famous for its wildlife, rich agricultural lands, and stunning natural attractions, Meru County, on the north-eastern slopes of Mount Kenya, is the immemorial enclave of the Ameru nation. Inhabited mainly by the sub-tribes of Imenti, Tigania, Igembe, and Tharaka, Meru County has one of the best developed touring circuits.
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Explore Destination Nearby Nyambene National Reserve
A Guide to Meru County
A Summa Digest of Meru
About Meru Way Back When
65 Destinations in Meru County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then west - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Kierra Valley, Kierra Ridge, St. Mary’s High School, Anabas Resort Trout and Seafood Grill, Tharuu Springs, Giitune Sacred Forest, M.Mpuri Cultural Centre, Meru Museum, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Meru Sports Club, Alba Hotel, Kathita Falls, Irine (Devil's Bridge) Falls, Cool Stream Garden, Thiiri Cultural Centre, Kaaga Methodist Church, Kaaga War Memorial, Kiathandi Hill, Mpogoro Forest, Stone Woman Kieiga Forest, Njuri Ncheke Headquarters at Nchiru, Ngaya Forest, Meru National Park, Twin Baobab Tree, Elsa’s Kopje, Ikweta Safari Camp, Adamson Falls Bridge, Rhino River Camp, Giant Meru Oak, Lake Nkunga, Mucheene Forest Station, Mucheene Cave, Lake Thai, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Sirikoi House, Nyambene Reserve, Liga Ria Ngutu, Lake Magado, Ngare-Ndare Forest Reserve, Ngare-Ndare Falls, Mount Kenya National Park, Sirimon Route, Mount Kenya One Day Trip, Theemwe Route, Theemwe Springs, Marania Route, Lake Rutundu, Rutundu Log Cabins, Chogoria Route, Nithi Falls, The Gates Falls, Lake Alice, Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson, Vivienne Falls, Timau River Lodge, Wonky House, Tamalu Farm, Charanna Farm, Kisima Farm, Kisimani Resort, Mwonyo Valley, Giant Footprints
Know More About Meru County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Meru County’s positioning on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya and the equator has highly influenced its natural conditions and economic prospects. Altitude ranges from 300m to 5,199m asl.
The topography of Meru County has a critical influence on its climate. Temperatures range from a low of 8 Degrees to a high of 32 Degrees Celsius during the cold and hot seasons respectively.
