The Picturesque Highland
A Summa Digest of Nandi County
At some point in the early 2000s, standard specific roads became a norm rather than the exception in Kenya. A sudden boom in smooth black-strip roads – that ultimately made access to many counties of Kenya easier – is still at a boom, not looking to go bust quickly. In the same resolve, hoteliers around the country are once again venturing beyond brick and mortar walls for uncommon experiences concomitant to each region with chic safari-style tents, many with wood floors, outdoor baths and freestanding bathrooms being the most widely adopted; ergo all this successes on roads and hospitality have not fallen short in Nandi County.
For travellers to Nandi County, the experience offers the novelty of being in the farming highlands proper, thanks to the newly built roadways and the simple, uncomplicated accommodation. Of a more recent development, Nandi County has tapped into the burgeoning demand for eco-sensitive and off-grid stays by thinking of nature oriented activities for unique excursions. This is a great move because the region is, without fault, one of the most beautiful highlands in Kenya.
Nandi County has long been known for its pretty-as-a-postcard rural bucolic landscape, encompassing year-round verdant belts of prolific farms, forests and delightful craggy mountainous regions – particularly in the south, southeast and northeast areas. Noted, the county features hilly terrain, including the Nandi Hills, Tinderet volcanic mass, and Nandi Scarp. All these have, coupled with the geneal highland climate, brough together an a climatic experiences of cool, wet climate with high rainfall suitable for farming, and an unrepeatable picturesque circuit.
Key among the attractions in Nandi County are its four sizeable forests – South and North Nandi, Tinderet and Kimondi – covering 12% of its land area. There are many notable designated attractions of splendid natural beauty, like: Bonjoge National Reserve, Kingwal Wetland, Nandi Hills, and Cheptiik (Mlango) Falls. A predominantly farming area, Nandi also inlays some of the most impressive farmlands seen anywhere in Kenya. These razzle-dazzle highlands embrace yet another dear to heart Kenyan treasure. Dubbed ‘source of champions’, Nandi is home to a swag of the world’s distinguished middle and long-distance runners.
The short 46 kms journey from Eldoret to Kapsabet, the traditional entry point to Nandi, goes past many of its lighthouse attractions, starting at Cheptiik Falls, Ngabunat Caves, Kingwal Swamp, past the fitful and rolling Nandi Hills, before arriving at Kapsabet, the main town, where the conspicuously incised plains are reached. From Kapsabet Town the country is generally marked by steep slopes, especially in the Meteitei and Tinderet regions to the southeast. This undulating landscape marches on southbound through Kemeloi, Kaptumek, and Kapkures.
Nandi County is part of the North Rift Block, wedged betwixt Kakamega County (west), Uasin Gishu County (northeast), Kericho County (southeast), Kisumu County (south) and Vihiga County (southwest). As such, it enjoys an efficacious logistical advantage, flanked on all the frontiers by major trunk roads, giving it expeditious access. The compact jug-shaped Nandi County is divided into six sub-counties: Mosop, Emgwen, Chesumei, Nandi Hills, Aldai, and Tinderet.
The principal line of communication in Nandi is A104 Mombasa-Eldoret-Kampala Road, marching almost parallel to its eastern and northern boundaries, from near Timboroa to Webuyu en route Eldoret and Leseru. In the south, it is flanked by the B1 Nakuru-Mau Summit-Kisumu Road and the C35 Londiani-Kisumu Road. In the west, it is flanked by A1 Kisumu-Kampala Road, en route Webuye. In the heart land, it is served by a good road network through the hillscapes, which has made transport network difficult to build, yet, is a delight for callers to Nandi County.
Salient Features of Nandi County
- County Number 29
- Area – 2884 km2
- Altitude – 5036 ft
- Major Towns – Kapsabet, Nandi Hills
- Borders – Vihiga, Kericho, Kisumu, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega
You Are Here: Nandi County
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations in Nandi County
A Guide to Nandi County
A Summa Digest of Nandi
About Nandi Way Back When
40 Destinations in Nandi County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north then west - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Londiani-Koru Route, Nyando Escarpment, Bonjoge National Reserve, Nandi Rock, South Nandi Forest, Tindinyo Falls, Karebe Gold Mining, Nandi Scarp, North Nandi Forest, Tabolwa Rock, Kabiyet Shrine, Cheruiyot Ecosystem, Nandi Hills, Chepsangor Coffee, Koitalel Samoei Museum, Samiitui Aldai Stone Historic Site, Nandi Bears Club, Ketbarak Viewpoint, Kip’s Eco-Resort, Kapsimotwa Gardens, The Sheu Morobi Cliffs, Chemase Waterfalls, Mberere Holy Springs, Kopere Rocks, Songhor Prehistoric Site, Tinderet Forest, Diguna Waterfalls, Ngabunat Caves Falls, Kiplolok Springs, Kapsabet, Kaptumo and Kipture Forts, Eden Springs Hotel, Keben Springs, Kingwal Wetland I Sitatunga Conservancy, Chepkiit (Mlango) Falls, Kamulat (Ndalat) Hill, Kapchemuriet
Know More About Nandi County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Air Like in Nandi?
Nandi County has a fine and moderate warm climate year long with no cold and hot extremes. Nandi’s climate is influenced by both altitude and geophaphy. Most areas experience temperatures of between 18o C and 25o C.
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