Every time you are travelling on the B1 Nakuru-Kisumu highway heading to Kisumu Dala, Kericho has always been the highlight of the trip. The never-ending green tea fields, how they are well-shaped are just beautiful and peaceful to look at, the fields are pieces of art.
Of hidden gems, lies this beautiful space in the heart of Kericho, Chesumot Farm. The farm lies in Chesumot Tea Estate, approximately 10 km from Kericho town on the B1 Nakuru-Kericho-Kisumu Highway.
You can also opt for the longer, but more scenic route to Kericho via Bomet along the south of the Mau Forest. It’s an extra 50 kilometres but offers a diversity of landscapes, particularly around Narok, where the wheat fields are littered with drooping acacias. If you’re heading in this direction, Chesumot Farm is just over 10 kilometres beyond Kericho town, and to the left at the Kaisugu Taidys restaurant. From here, follow the dirt track through the neat rows of tea bushes until you reach the main gate of the estate.
At the heart of the 1,500-acre farm is a small dam, surrounded by vast green swathes of tea bushes. Chesumot Farm produces a variety of teas, including green and purple tea, popular in Japan. A large portion of the estate is covered in purple tea bushes.
You can visit Chesumot Farm for just a day or stay there. Your stay in Chesumot is farm life—the British farm life. You are surrounded by tea bushes, man-made forests and animals. You go to sleep to cricket chirps, slumber in dreamland to nature’s awkward silence with occasional gentle zephyr whistling through the leaves and wake up to the sounds of birds chirping.
For those who shudder at the thought of swimming, cycling and running at high altitudes, Chesumot Farm still has plenty to offer. Overlooking the dam, within a thicket of Dracaena and Indian Ash trees, is a very well-situated campsite. You have to bring your tent, but there are hot showers and a sit-down toilet At the bottom of the campsite, by the dam, are two open rondavels, with electricity supplied by solar panels. These lead to a long wooden jetty, which extends out to the middle of the dam. Those who don’t want to swim can take their pick of two canoes, or a rowing boat moored to the jetty.
In the evenings, you could also take a horse ride around the farm (or walk) as you enjoy some bird-watching, the amazing landscapes and even watch the tea pickers slide their harvesting machines over the top of the tea bushes or visit the nearby Kaisugu Tea Factory. Movement around the estate is to a minimum, so be assured to enjoy some stillness and quietness.
Chesumot Farm Accommodation
You can either stay at the Chesumot Farm Estate House or camp near the dam where a proper campsite has been prepared. The campsite is under some lovely trees. You have to bring your tent, but there are hot showers and a sit-down toilet for the campers. There are also two rondavels and a fire pit where you could sit and read your book.
The house is close to the main gate—a spacious four-bedroom house that accommodates up to 6 people. The house can be rented for $120 a night via Airbnb or by calling the management. Camping costs $10 per person.
Chesumot Farm Contacts
To book, get in touch with Kim on 0722 741 879
Email: kim.martin@chesumot.com.
NOTE: The dam at Chesumot Farm just makes the stay even more breathtaking, with a beautiful wooden dock, perfect for those Olympic dives. The place has a boat where you can fish the whole day if you are into kayaking. It’s just perfect for an afternoon Nyama Choma by the dock.