Forest Reserves in Samburu
Kirisia Forest: Kenya’s Premier Forest Reserve
One of the best aerial views of Kirisia Forest is at Opiroi Cliff, a breeding ground for the critically endangered Rüppell’s vulture. These ungainly looking creatures migrate from Kenya through Tanzania all the way to Chad, thence further out to Central African Republic, before returning here. Lying on the Leroghi Plateau, the 92000 ha Kisiria Forest, locally known as the Leroghi, is not only rich biodiversity of different unique species of flora and fauna forest but provides for the wellbeing and livelihood of the local community and for their cultural and spiritual meaning. Gazetted in 1993, Kirisia is one of Kenya’s largest unfragmented forests to boot.
For the intrepid, the wildly-scenic Kirisia Forest, composed of a mix of indigenous forests dominated by Cedar, Podo, and other dry high forest species, it begins its domination in southeast area of Samburu County along C77 Nyahururu-Baragoi Road. It lies north of the contiguous Laikipia Plateau east of Kisima and Maralal towns, and west of Barsaloi. The central focus are its precipitous ridges with thick galleries of woodlands and highland meadows. The north facing side forms steep slopes of sheer granitic rock faces with deep seasonal river valleys. The northwest section sunders with sheer drops making up a part of the eastern wall of Losiolo.
In contrast, the southeast area of Kirisia Forest gradually rolls down to merge with the flats of Leroghi Plains extending into Laikipia County. Thanks to its elevated micro climate, Kirisia Forest serves as a lively water catchment receptacle and the headwaters for many streams that aptly supply numerous communities including Maralal, the headquarters of Samburu County. During the dryer season it forms an important refuge for the Samburu’s livestock as well as an important water channels to seasonal lugga’s in the areas between Kirisia and Mathews Range.
Kirisia Forest is also a significant wildlife habitat and hosts species like elephant, cape buffalo, bushbuck, bush pig, giant forest hog, warthog, lion, and an active mix of monkey. The birds and insects are seemly represented including Hartlaubs touraco, which are, possibly, the most dominant species in the forest, as well as, tambourine dove, martial eagles, Rüppell’s vultures, and the sunbirds. It is well watered, too. It is purveyed by a network of streams and rivers, like Baawa River, which never dries up. The entire forest is managed for conservation objectives and it has great environmental, cultural and security significance to the Samburu.
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
Samburu County, in northern Kenya, offers stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique wildlife. Known for its stunning mountains, hills, remote wilderness, traditional Samburu culture, and less-visited national reserves, the county provides an authentic experience away from the popular safari circuit.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Kirisia Forest
A Guide to Samburu County
A Summa Digest of Samburu
About Samburu Way Back When
50 Destinations in Samburu County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, west then south - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shaba National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Ashnil Samburu Camp, Archer's Post, Chanler’s Falls, Umoja Cultural Village, Nashipa Eco Camp, Lion's Cave Camp, Samburu National Reserve, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Samburu Intrepids Camp, Ewaso Lions, Kalama Conservancy, Saruni Samburu Lodge, Westgate Conservancy, Rhodia Mann Museum, Meibai Conservancy, Mount Ololokwe, Namunyak Community Conservancy, Sarara Camp, Singing Wells, Reteti Sanctuary, Mathews Range, Kitich Camp, Sera Conservancy, Saruni Rhino Camp, Ndoto Mountains, Mlima Tatu, Ngurunit, Ngurunit Rock Pools, Camp Ndotto, Mount Nyiru, Desert Rose, El Barta, Samburu Hills, Baragoi Deanery, Nachola Site, Napong Hills, Losiolo Escarpment, Emuruangogolak, Kirisia Forest, Ngari Hill Lodge, Maralal Safari Lodge, Yale Camp, Maralal Camel Derby, Kenyatta House Maralal, Loroghi Plateau, Engare Narok Sanctuary, Lake Mbaringon
Know More About Samburu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Air Like In Samburu?
Samburu is almost always hot! The driest months are January and February. The mean annual temperature is 29oC, with fast blowing winds especially on the lowlands. Rain is temporal and erratic.
What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.25?
Over 80% of Samburu lies within the fragile arid to semi-arid ecological vast block of Kenya. Altitude, excepting the ranges and mountains, varies from 2040 ms to 600 ms asl.
Abiri Kenya 