Forests in Elgeyo Marakwet Kessup Forest: A Roadside Beauty Shortly after leaving Rimoi National Reserve enroute Tambach and Kabarnet via C51 Road, you pass Kessup village and Kessup Forest – sometimes known as Kaptagat Forest – seen to the right. It forms lovely roadside views. Kessup Forest is one of two forests located along the highland area of the Elgeyo Escarpment alongside Bugar Forest, further north. Despite being the smaller of the two forests, Kessup Forest, where Kessup and Torok Falls occur, is more famous for touring. Kessup Forest occupies 26 km2, of which 17 km2 are under indigenous cover, 7 km2 under planted forest, and 2 km2 are under grass and marshlands. It is an important water catchment for Rivers Kessup, Naiberi and Elgarini. Owing to anthropogenic activities, some of its forest patch has been degraded, either to inch out more land or for its valuable timber, ergo defacing its rich biodiversity. Granting all this, free ranging in the forests around Elgeyo Marakwet County, especially in Kessup, Kaptagat, Embobut, Lelan and Kamatira forest blocks, is getting a little of hand. Normally, high number of livestock are moved to graze and live inside the forest. While still under wraps, the demographic and resource time bomb may eventually upend this balance. Also in the concomitant worries are the forest fires frequently occurring in the escarpment at Kessup, Kapkut, Kibonge and Tingwa areas. The fires are mainly caused by arsonists and honey gatherers. All hope is not lost. The communities around Kessup Forest and other forests are increasingly their responsibility to safeguarding the forests. Households within Kipkabus and Kessup recorded the highest proportion of households which planted trees, representing 29% and 26.8% respectively of the total households. Subsequently, in 2021, the community, with a helping hand from well wishers including including Equity Bank, planted 5000 tree seedlings at Kessup Forest. 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 Touring Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya offers a mix of stunning landscapes, cultural experiences, and outdoor adventures. Renowned for its rugged terrain and picturesque landscapes, it is also home to globally-famous long distance running exports. Hiking enthusiasts can explore trails such as the famous Kerio Valley Escarpment or venture into the Cherangani Hills for more challenging hikes. You Are Here: Kessup Forest Where to Next? Explore Destinations Near Kessup Forest A Guide to Elgeyo Marakwet County A Summa Digest of Elgeyo Marakwet About Elgeyo Marakwet Way Back When 44 Destinations in E. Marakwet County , arranged as one would visit these - west, south then north - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart: Home of Champions Art Center, Keiyo Gardens, High Altitude Training Camp , Kamariny Stadium , St. Patrick's High School , Bugar Forest , Iten Viewpoint , Lelin Campsite , Kerio View Hotel , Active Edge , Rimoi National Reserve , Kapkurmoi Cultural & Conservation, Kessup Falls , Kessup Forest , Kilima Resort , Tambach Museum , Kolol Viewpoint , Torok Falls , Biretwo Museum , Kerio River Lodge , Chebloch Gorge , Samich Resort , Kenya Fluorspar Company , Sego Safari Resort , Melwa Gorge , Kerio Valley , Elgeyo (Kerio) Escarpment , Lake Kamnarok National Reserve , Kureswo Hot Springs , Metkei Ridge , Chemonde Forest, Chebirara Falls, Mela Cave , Cherangani Hills , Teren River Bridge , Arror Dam , Chebara Dam , Embobut Forest , Wewo Catholic Church , The Foothills (Kipkunurr & Koisungur) , Kipteberr Hill , Kiplagoch Caves , Ancient Marakwet Furrows Know More About E. Marakwet County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments What's The Air Like In Elgeyo M? With a wide range in altitude, from 3350 metres asl., on the Cherangani Hills to around 1000 metres asl., in the Kerio Valley. the temperature varies with altitude, between 18 o C and 26 o C average maximum. What's The Lay Of The Land in C.28? Elegyo Marakwet can be split into three agro-zones: A high altitude region of forest and moorland; The Cherangani mountains; And the lower set Kerio Escarpment and Valley. Know More About Elgeyo Marakwet…

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