Caves in Kericho
Van Wicker’s Caves: An Emergency Foxhole
Put together around 1956 by Major Douglas Van Wicker, a settler farmer, who used the underground hiding-place in the 1950’s during the country’s state of emergency and suppression of Mau-Mau insurgency. With most of the Mau Mau fighters hidden deep in the forests of central Kenya and neighbouring regions, it proved difficult to hunt them down. By 1952, the conflict was threatening to spiral out of control, forcing the colonial government to declare a state of emergency, shocking parvenu settlers into suddenly realizing that they were no longer safe.
“The cave built by Wicker on his farm 53 years ago has one entrance branching into two chambers: the one to the left measures about 100 metres and the other one goes in nearly 80 metres. The entrance is almost half a metre high while the interior measures approximately two metres vertically”. Interestingly, Wicker’s Cave, contrived hidden near a hill in the 540-acres Kapwicker Farm, recently renamed as the Sarout Farm, remained unknown until only a few year ago. Van Wicker’s Cave is set in Kipkelion West near Fort Ternan, 50 km from Londiani.
While Kenya may not be as well-known for its caves as some other destinations, there are still some fascinating caving sites worth exploring. Before embarking on a caving expedition, it’s essential to ensure safety by going with a knowledgeable local guide, wearing appropriate gear, and being aware of potential hazards.
Index of Caves in Kenya
Baringo County - Lomechan Cave, Bomet County - Kipsegon Caves, Bungoma County - Elephant Calving Cave, Namunyu Cave, Busia County - Kakapel Rock Shelter, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Mela Cave, Kiplagoch Caves, Embu County - God's Bridge Cave, Kajiado County - Oloolua Caves, Suswa Caves, Enkapune Ya Muto, Kakamega County - Lirhanda Cave, The Mukai Stone Cave, Kericho County - Van Wicker's Caves, Bagao Caves, Relesic Cave, Chebulu Caves, Kiambu County - The Paradise Lost Cave, Kwale County - Fikirini Caves, Shimoni Caves, Machakos County - Hyena Caves, Makueni County - Kisula Caves, Meru County - Mucheene Cave, Liga Ria Ngutu, Migori County - Mugabo Caves, Nakuru County - Njoro Caves, Hell's Gate Caves, Nandi County - Ngabunat Cave, Taita Taveta County - Dawida Cave, Mwangeka Cave, Taita Skull Cave, Kenyatta Caves, Leviathan, Tharaka Nithi County - Inanduru Bat Cave, Trans Nzoia County - Kitum Cave, Macking’eny Cave, Ngwarishah Cave, Chepnyalil Cave, Kamariny Cave, Vihiga County - Mungoma Caves, Givavei Rock Cave, Wajir County - Shaletey
Located in southwestern part of Kenya within the former Rift Valley Province, Kericho County, a healthful highland, has innumerable picture-postcard tea-farm vistas. Kericho County is famous for its vast tea plantations. It is all around a tea-riffic countryside clutching traditions and culture with one hand and a forward-looking yen on the other. It is home to large forests, historic sites and resorts, too.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Van Wicker’s Caves
A Guide to Kericho County
A Summa Digest of Kericho
About Kericho Way Back When
35 Destinations in Kericho County, arranged as one would visit these - east, north, south then west - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Mau Forest Reserve, Chereres Waterfalls, A.I.C Kericho, Chesumot Estate, Chagaik Arboretum, Chesumot Dam, Kimugu River Lodge, James Finlays Tea Factory, Dimbolil Dam, The Sacred Heart Cathedral, A.C.K Kericho, Kericho Golf Club, Gurdwara Sahib, Kericho Wagon Works, Kericho Tea Hotel, Chebown Sanctuary, Chelimo Arboretum, Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary, Changoi Tea Estate, Chebulu Conservancy, The Kiptui Falls, Kapkatet Kipsigis Cultural Museum, The Tulwap-Kipsigis Hill, Londiani-Koru-Awasi Route, Londiani Dam, Masaita Forest Station, KFC Hospitality Centre, Londiani Falls, Kimasian Railway Bridge, Kiminket Garden, Kipkelion Monastery, The Van Wicker's Cave, Fort Tenan Pre-Historic Site, Tinderet Mountain, Ole Soi Resort, Bagao Caves
Know More About Kericho County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Air Like In Kericho?
The annual mean temperature ranges between 29oC and 10oC. The central part of the county, where tea is grown, receives the highest rainfall.
What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.35?
Kericho has an undulating topography, with the overall slope of the land being to the west – forming a hilly shelf between the Mau Hills and the lowlands of Kisumu.
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