Forest Reserves in Trans Nzoia






Kapcherop Forest: Cherangani Hills Complex
For many generations now, the Kapcherop Indigenous people of Sengwer and Kapcherop forests have been the old guardians of these natural resources. The Sengwer community are well-known for their close attachment to their land and natural forests, non-dominance, distinct culture, and language. The indigenous peoples depend on the forests for their livelihoods. They live also near Kiptaberr Hill, one of the Cherangani Hills forest sections located near Kapcherop centre, close to the Kenya Forest Service station. The hill is a spectacular single giant rock. The expansive Cherangani Hills Forest Reserve, of which the Kapcherop Forest is a part of, also contains the vast forest blocks of Kapkanyar, Kapolet, Lelan, Toropket, Embobut, Kerer, Kaisungurr, Sogotio, Kapchemutwa, Bugar, and the Chemurokoi.
The triangular wedge-like Kapcherop Forest on the western margin of Trans Nzoia County is shared by Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties. The Kapcherop catchment area is part of the Western Marakwet Escarpment that is a continuum of Kenya’s Rift Valley, with Lake Victoria being the recipient of all drainage flows. The Kipteber Natural Forest is composed of indigenous trees covering roughly 50 percent of the land and acts as the rich source of the all-important Chepkaitit and Kiptargon streams. The sources of water are groundwater, rain, surface inflows for these streams. On a walking trip of Kapcherop Forest you can see the confluence of these streams, near Tembu primary about 18 km from Kapcherop town center.

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

Trans Nzoia County is a vital region for Kenya’s agricultural and ecological balance. Its rich history, cultural diversity, and natural beauty make it a unique and valuable part of the Rift and Western Kenya. The county’s potential for growth remains immense, particularly in agriculture, tourism, and environmental conservation.
You Are Here: Kapcherop Forest
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations Nearby Kapcherop Forest
A Guide to Trans Nzoia County
A Summa Digest of Trans Nzoia
About Trans Nzoia Way Back When
30 Destinations in Trans Nzoia County, arranged as one would visit these - south, west then north - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Mount Elgon National Park, Koitoboss Peak Hike, Wagagai Peak Hike, Chesurur Falls, Kitum Cave, Macking’eny Cave, Ngwarisha Cave, Endebess Bluff, Chepnyalil Cave, KWS Koitoboss Guesthouse, Kapkuro Bandas, Mount Elgon Lodge, Suam Gorge, Mt. Elgon Orchards, Mount Elgon Guesthouse, Kamariny Cave, Kitale Plains, Kitale War Memorial, Kitale Museum, Kitale Club, Treasures of Africa, Kitale Nature Conservancy, Sirwo Resort, Cranes Haven, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Tree Top Hut, Kapolet Fishing Camp, Kapcherop Forest, Cheranganis, Barnley’s Guest House, Kaisagat Hill
Know More About Trans Nzoia: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

Trans Nzoia can be split into three definitive ecological zones: Upper Highland Zone, Upper Midland Zone, and the Lower Highland Zone. These zone lie between 4,313 m in Mount Elgon to 1,700 ms asl.

Trans Nzoia has a highland equatorial type of climate. Rainfall is well distributed throughout the year, the higher areas in the west receiving more. Average annual temperature is 24oC.


