Forest Reserves in Vihiga
Kaimosi Forest: A Healthful Tropical Haven
11 km easterly heading from Mudete via Stendi-Kapsabet-Eldoret Road sits the 1,000-acre Kaimosi Forest, straddling Hamisi constituency and parts of Sabatia. Reminiscent of the Kakamega Forest Reserve located 7 km east, Kaimosi Forest is a thickly wooded tropical forest that harbours a peck of birds, copious reptiles and monkeys; blue monkey, L’hoest’s monkey, red tailed monkey, black and white Columbus. Both these forests comprise the last remnants of the venerable Congo Tropical Rain Forest that once stretched across much of Central and East Africa.
At Kaimosi Forest, travellers can enjoy guided eco-forest tours, enjoy invigorating nature walks, picnics, cycling and team-building activities. Kenya Forest Service is responsible for the management of Kakamega Forest Reserve, North and South Nandi Forests, Malava, Ikuywa and Isecheno Forests. To date, Kaimosi Forest is run and owned by Kenyan Quaker Mission Church that allows nearly 3,000 locals to use the forest while abiding by sustainability guidelines or local forest use rules.
Of the 22 selected forest areas within the Kakamega Forest Ecosystem, Kaimosi Forest has had the greatest issues with illegal logging. It has suffered from the highest level of anthropogenic impacts. Currently, there are seven villages closely surrounding the Kaimosi Forest – Cheptulu, Shipala, Bumbo, Maganda, Mahanga, Shamakhokho, and Jivuye. While Kaimosi Forest is currently undergoing sterling levels of deforestation, it continues to provide medicinal plants, deadwood for cooking, deter soil erosion, and play a major role in tribal ceremonies for the Tiriki.
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
Typified by lush, green landscapes with rolling hills, rivers, waterfalls and forest, such as the much-noted Nganyi and Kaimosi Forests, which offer scenic spots for nature exploration and birdwatching, Vihiga County is famous for its agricultural productivity, especially tea and subsistence farming. Despite challenges related to population density it continues to thrive as a hotspot for farming and tourism.
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A Guide to Vihiga County
A Summa Digest of Vihiga
About Vihiga Way Back When
26 Attractions in Vihiga County, arranged as one would visit these - south, west, east then west - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Nganyi Rainmakers Forest, Roddy's Green Lounge, Bunyore Hills, Mbale, Kima Stone Mountain, Kima Church of God, Mwitoko Fish Farm, Kidundu Friends Church, Maragoli Hills, Mungoma Caves, Givavei Cave, Givavei Artisans, Jesus Wagevere Rock, Chabuga Mausoleum, African Divine Church, Obida Ombima Mill, Sosa Cottages, Mudete Tea Factory, Magnum Resort, Turaco Intercounty Resort, Kaimosi Forest, Kaimosi Mission Wildlife Conservancy, Kakamega Forest, Kibiri Forest, River Yala, Kichutu Gold Mine
Know More About Vihiga County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Vihiga experiences a high equatorial climate with well distributed rainfall year-round. Temperatures range between 14ºC and 32ºC.
Generally speaking, Vihiga slopes gently from west to east – with undulating hills and valleys plying streams flowing from northeast to southwest, all draining into Lake Victoria as the mouth.