The Ngare Ndare Forest

Kenya’s latest haven

BY KAAKA NABEA

The Ngare Ndare Forest Trust is a good example of what happens when a concerned community puts its resources together to conserve natural forest and wildlife resources; they create a peaceful haven for wildlife and a perfect ecotourism spot for lovers of the wild. Camping, hiking, game viewing and swimming in the wild are excellent ideas to undertake here. The community in turn benefits from the tourism ventures, from better living conditions and a protected water tower.

The 5,554 hectare-indigenous forest, located, in Meru county, in the Northern foothills of Mt.Kenya approximately 45 kilometres from Nanyuki  town – Laikipia county, on the Nanyuki – Isiolo/Meru road. The place is also accessible by air through Lewa airstrip (Air Kenya and Safarilink scheduled flights).

To start you off in the forest is a bumpy drive and on alighting you head for the picnic site next to the waterfall. It’s a rather steep climb down. The Ngare Ndare waterfall is about 20m and forms a beautiful pool beneath. With the sound of the falling waters in the back ground and the enveloping forest all around, the rocks and grass around it make it an ideal place for picnics.

The waterfall is also a favourite for adventure lovers who want to scale down the fall.

From its source still within the forest, the Ngare Ndare River slowly snakes its way over rocks, creating pleasant pools for divers and for those who just want to enjoy the healing powers of nature, until it empties into the Ewaso Nyiro River.

The forest is a place rich in flora and fauna.

It has large amounts of the rare brown olive, pencil cedar and podo that are a favourite with illegal loggers. It’s also home to the big five. There are also a number of black rhino that are under surveillance by the Lewa security team.

A 400 metre long canopy walkway has just been completed, the first of its kind in Eastern Africa, to allow visitors walk through the canopy of the forest while viewing wildlife below.

“This is ideal as animals cannot smell you from the top, therefore you get uninterrupted time watching game,” explains Humphrey Mwambeo the Trust Manager.

It’s quite an experience walking on the walkway especially for those with shaky knees and those afraid of heights.

Humphrey however assures us that the walkway is safe.

They are also planning to install harnesses for those not confident enough. The walkway leads to a raised platform that gives visitors an impressive look over a natural swamp where elephants and buffalo are often found drinking. One can also spot the colourful Hartlaub’s Turaco It is a rare bird, famous for its beauty.

A gigantic strangler fig overlooking the swamp is one of the key natural attractions here, along with the Podo and Phoenix palms that create a peaceful ambience for visitors. The platform is excellent for overnight campers especially on starry nights although there is another well kept camp about 500 meters from there, which has toilet and bathroom facilities.

There is also the zip line that has been constructed across a valley for the adventure lovers. It will let you slide above cliffs and tree canopies from one side of the valley to another.

Other activities to undertake are trout fishing and rock climbing.

The Ngare Ndare Forest Trust is a community based organisation founded in 2002 to lead in the conservation of the forest that was being affected by poaching, logging and human wildlife conflicts. It received a Concession Management Agreement from the Kenya Forest Service making it the first forest in Kenya to attain semi-autonomous status due to excellent management.

Some of its partners include the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the Kisima farm, the Borana Farm, the Laikipia Wildlife Forum, Northern Frontier Ventures, and recently the Safaricom Foundation who are helping the forest in marketing itself as an ecotourism destination.

This article was published in the Laikipia County Times