Forest Reserves in Kitui

Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve: A Birder’s Haven

This is located in the northwest edge of Kitui County within touching distance of the southern boundary with Tharaka Nithi County. A prominent natural landmark pearing over the otherwise flatter plains, Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve is reached 64 km north of Mwingi Town along the C93 Mwingi to Kathwana Road at Katse. Emerging as a wooded inselberg, rising 1810 ms (6000 ft) and 700 ms from the surrounding arid scrub land plains, Mumoni Hill is separated to the north from Kijegge Forest Reserve in Tharaka Nithi by the broad valley cut through by Tana River, which lower down is dammed to carve out Kiambere Dam, completed in 1987, along the border between Embu and Kitui as part of the Seven Forks Dam.

Mumoni Hill forms the larger arc of the 104 km2 Mumoni Forest Reserve alongside Muvoria Hill Forest Reserve set in its immediate south. Both these hillscapes were gazetted in 1993 as a forest reserve owing to their importance as a water tower for the densely populated Mwingi North region. For tourism, Mumoni Hill is a walkers and bird-watchers wild haven where colourful birds like raptors, hindes babbler, palied harrier, Somali biome and martial eagles are regularly spotted. Although still underdeveloped, the reserve is crisscrossed by a vast network of pathways from which nature-lovers can appreciate its rich floral and avi-faunal beauty as well as its fetching mountain scenery. 375 plant species were identified in 2006.

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

Kitui County is a hidden gem for travelers seeking adventure, culture, and nature. With better infrastructure and marketing, it could become a key destination in Kenya’s tourism map. Known for its arid and semi-arid landscapes, rich Kamba culture, and untapped tourism potential, it is home to many unique attractions, hillscapes, scenic rock formations and valleys ideal for hiking and photography.

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A Guide to Kitui County

A Summa Digest of Kitui

About Kitui Way Back When

33 Destinations in Kitui County , arranged as one would visit these - north to south - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Revelation Recreational Park , Kanyonyoo Wildlife Conservancy , B2 Yatta Ranch , Ukasi Hill , Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve , Muvaroa Forest Reserve , Gai (Muruu) Rock , Kiambere Dam , Mwingi National Reserve , Adamson Bridge , Ngomeni Rock , Kitui War Monument , Kitui Villa , Kalundu Public Park , Kitui Hills , Nzambani Rock , Ikoo Viewpoint , Mutito Hills, Mui Basin , Nuu Hills , Mutomo Hill Sanctuary , Mutomo Reptile Park , South Kitui National Reserve , AIC Ikutha , Tsavo East National Park , Athi-Galana River , Kanderi Swamp , Yatta Plateau , Ithumba Camp , Ithumba Hill Camp , The Man-eaters Bridge , Man-eaters Camp

Know More About Kitui County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Lay Of The Land in C.15?

Kitui County has a low-lying topography with arid and semi-arid climates. The general landscape of Kitui is flat with a plain that gently rolls down towards the east.

What’s The Air Like In Kitui?

Climate in Kitui is generally hot and dry with little rainfall. Temperatures are high year-round, ranging between 14°C-34°C. The hotter months are September, October, January.

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