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North Nandi Forest

Forest Reserves in Nandi

North Nandi Forest: Of Tabolwa Rock & Birds

Erstwhile contiguous with South Nandi Forest, now separated by a few kms tract of land, the 105 km2 North Nandi Forest, lying along the western border of Nandi County, north of South Nandi Forest, is a strip of high canopy forest immediately east of Kakamega Forest. It stretches for more than 30 km from north to south and is 3-5 kms wide for most of its length. Occurring in Kabiyet and Central Nandi Sub-counties, along the periphery of Nandi Fault Scarp, the forest is a biosphere of prolific flora and fauna notably of its indigenous trees and variegated avifauna.

So much so, the enclosed 34 km2 North Nandi Forest Reserve was gazetted in 1968 as an Important Birding Area, with almost 117 bird species recorded here. Still it remains largely undeveloped. A sought-after attraction within North Nandi Forest is the Tabolwa Rock, a monolithic grey granite mound that doubles as a beyond-money prominence from where trippers can view the pretty farmlands, Mount Elgon and Kakamega Forest. North Nandi Forest is found 30 kms north of Kapsabet Town along the Kapsabet-Baraton Road onto Sangalo-Segem Road.


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.


outlook

Beyond athletics, famously known as the heartland of Kenyan long-distance running, Nandi County is a region of stunning highland scenery, rich agricultural land, and deep cultural heritage. The county is characterized by highland terrain, with altitudes ranging from 1,300 to 2,500 meters asl. Nandi Escarpment forms a dramatic western boundary, dropping down to the Kavirondo Gulf I Lake Victoria.

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Nandi County has a fine and moderate warm climate year long with no cold and hot extremes. Nandi’s climate is influenced by both altitude and geography. Most areas experience temperatures of between 18o C and 25o C.