Mumoni Hill Forest

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.


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.

You Are Here: Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve

Where to Next?

Explore Destinations Nearby Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve


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.

Know More About Kitui County…