List Of Best Places To Visit In Kericho County

Here is a list of the best places to visit in Kericho County. Kericho is located about 100 km from Nakuru, which is a two-hour drive, and is also predominantly home to the Kalenjin community. Kericho is the centre of Kenya’s largest tea estate industry, and to mark this, the square, a special place found in the town, has been nicknamed “Chai Square”.

Kericho County is home to the best of Kenyan tea, known for its brightness, attractive colour, brisk flavour, and textures of fragrant leaves that offer a site for tourist attractions. The green carpet-like farmlands are dotted with high-view points that allow you to stand still and take in the breathtaking views. As far as the eye can see, the hilly countryside is bright green with tea plantations.

Without further ado, check out the best spots in Kericho, from historical landmarks to sacred spots, yummy restaurants, and nature preserves. Just a heads up: Uber and Bolt aren’t around, but you can use local rider apps like Rafiki and Wasili.

Best Places To Visit In Kericho County

1. Fort-Ternan Museum

The sleepy Fort Ternan village in Kipkelion West constituency hides some of the most unique historic and tourist sites in Kericho County. This is a historic site located only 19 kilometres from Kericho town and 15 kilometres from Fort Ternan town. It is not only the site where Dr. Louis Leakey discovered a fossil dating 14 million years ago, but also the location of Wicker Caves, a long railway tunnel and bridge, as well as a hot spring. It is here in Fort Ternan that Dr. Leakey discovered the Kenyapithecus wickeri fossil. The fossil is now kept at the National Museum in Nairobi.

The site, which sits on approximately 35 acres, is also home to a skull belonging to Cro-Magnon man. The skull was found six years ago near Chilchila Primary School by a group of women who were digging for mud to plaster their traditional huts. The other attraction at Fort Ternan is an assembly of over 40 cultural artefacts belonging to the Kipsigis community.

Around 1.5km from the prehistoric site is the 100-metre-long Wicker colonial cave, which geologist Wicker secretly dug between 1958 and 1961 as his hideout from Mau Mau freedom fighters. Three kilometres from the cave is a 12-meter-long railway tunnel dug in 1903. Away from the tunnel is the Sereng railway bridge, which is the second-longest in the country. “The bridge is one of the most distinctive railway bridges on the Mombasa-Kisumu railway line, measuring 400 metres long and 45 metres high. Six kilometres from the archaeological site, at Chepkendi Hot Springs, is Fort-Ternan’s fifth destination.

2. The Kipsigis Museum Kapkatet

Located at the heart of the Kapkatet trading centre in Bureti constituency, Kericho County, the Museum of History, Art, and Science of the Kipsigis People is a treasure to the community. Founded on October 20, 2008, the facility has attracted researchers, learners, and tourists from far and wide. Every day of the week, its doors are open from morning to evening.

The museum’s collection includes tools for tilling, harvesting, and serving food, herbs, and charms for the treatment of various ailments, as well as weapons that were used for defence. It also houses traditional musical instruments of the Kipsigis, like the one-stringed kimeng’eng, the five-stringed chepkesem, the six-stringed chemonge, and the eight-stringed ketuba.

The museum stands on a 1946 building where locals used to barter their produce for sugar from an Asian businessman before independence. Apart from the more than 800 artifacts collected, a collection of 300 rare books dealing with subjects ranging from art, science, history, and culture of the Kipsigis has been collected by the management and is still counting.

3. Chebulu Conservancy

The Chebulu Conservancy borders the expansive Chebulu forest, that extends as far as 21 kilometres. The conservancy belongs to the nearby community and protects the Chebulu River, where they fetch water for their homes. Chebulu Conservancy is also home to different species of monkeys and birds. You want to listen to those birds chirp and the sway of the flowing river. Watching the monkeys hop from one tree to another is thrilling, and you can feed them if you aren’t scared of getting too close.

The expansive land here is ideal for picnics with family and friends, as well as team-building activities. If you want to be alone and rejuvenate, this is the place to be. There are some hiking rocks a long way away; bring some comfortable shoes.

4. Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary

This sanctuary provides the primates with a natural environment. It has trees, water features, and plenty of space to run around and play. Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary is also dedicated to educating the general public about the value of primate conservation. Visitors can take guided tours of the sanctuary to learn about the behaviour and habits of various primate species. In addition, the sanctuary collaborates with local communities to promote sustainable living practices that aid in the conservation of primate habitats. Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary does not keep its primates in cages or enclosures but rather allows them to roam freely within the sanctuary. The term “free-roaming” refers to a method of primate care that allows primates to live as naturally as possible. If you enjoy seeing wild animals, this is a great place to go.

5. Tulwap Kipsigis

Tulwapsigis (Tulwop Kipsigis) is a very important monument in the history of the Kipsigis, a sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic group in Kenya. Located along the Kipkelion-Londiani Junction, legends put it that the Kipsigis trekked from Egypt in the legendary times of the Israelites moving out of the ‘’Land of Bondage”. As many Bible historians have tried to associate this group of people (Kalenjin) with the Hebrews, especially since they share much in common in terms of cultural practices, the values of the Kipsigis in many ways indeed resemble those of the Israelites. It is said that once the entire Kalenjin group reached Mount Elgon (Tulwopkony), after the long trek from Egypt, they sought to spread out into the diaspora in search of pasture and space to live.

It is in this dispersal that the Nandi settled in their current settlement, the Tugen in Baringo, and the Kipsigis finally reached the present southwestern end of the vast Rift Valley province of Kenya. Settling down in their abode, the Kipsigis recollected after a tedious and somewhat dangerous journey, and they realised that the long journey had robbed them of their cherished culture. They convened and rekindled the custom of circumcision. It was here at Mount Kipsigis (Tulwapsigis) that they revisited their ancient cultural practices of circumcision and worship to God (Chepongolo, Chepkelyen)

6. Chagaik Arboretum

It has long been a peaceful haven for those who enjoy peace, relaxation, and photography. The arboretum, which is surrounded by tea plantations, was founded in the 1940s by a tea planter named Tom Grumble. A lily-covered pond sprawls by Chagaik’s outskirts down the valley, and it blooms with a mix of luxuriant forest-green indigenous trees and emerald grass carpets. Like a lover’s whisper, the air is soft, secretive, and aphrodisiac. The air is filled with soft lulls from indigenous trees swaying in the breeze and music from chirping birds.

To enhance your experience, the place also has some animal life, such as monkeys and birds. In terms of food policies, you are not allowed to feed the animals, but you can interact with them. For a picnic and walk with nature, at the place with the most ideal climate, pass by Kericho to Chagaik Arboretum and capture this beauty. It is good for you and your friend or friends because it is too good for you to be alone.

7. Mau Forest

The Mau Forest is one of the few remaining indigenous forests in Kenya. It is home to a variety of birds and butterfly species. Endemic bird species like Hartlaub’s Turaco, Jackson’s Francolin, and Hunter’s Cisticola are famous visitors here. There are also mammals, such as forest elephants. A number of rivers originate from this forest, as well as waterfalls. The forest is ideal for tourists who are interested in bird watching and nature walks.

The forest borders Kericho County to the west, Narok to the south, Nakuru to the north, and Bomet to the southwest. It is divided into seven blocs, comprising South-West Mau (Tinet), East Mau, Oldonyo Purro, Transmara, Maasai Mau, Western Mau, and Southern Mau. The complex forms part of the upper water catchment area, and it is the catchment source for Lake Victoria and the White Nile. It also has numerous rivers originating from it that carry Mau’s waters throughout western Kenya, from Lake Turkana in the north to Lake Natron in the south. These rivers support agriculture, hydropower, urban water supply, tourism, and wildlife habitat throughout much of Kenya.

8. The Sacred Heart Cathedral

This building’s architects did an excellent job. The entire structure is a sight to behold. The cathedral, the second largest in the country, is only a few kilometres from Kericho town. The structure stands 25 metres tall and has a seating capacity of 1500 people. The structure, according to the community, was specifically designed to complement the surrounding landscape. It’s a noticeable structure that stands out among the hills and lush green plantations.

The cathedral has since bagged three awards. In 2017, the Civic Trust, which organises Europe’s longest-established built environment awards for projects that provide cultural, social, economic, or environmental benefit, presented Special Awards to the Kericho Cathedral team. In addition, the project was a winner in the Surface Design Awards for lighting design and received the Judges Special Award at the British Construction Industry Awards in 2016.

9. Van Wicker’s ‘Lost Cave’

The backstory for this site is quite amusing. The locals are quick to tell the story of a terrified colonialist who, in the aftermath of the fight for independence in the 1950s, dug a hole as a haven because he feared for his life. The Nandi, the then-present community, were known to be brutally savage in their quest for independence, and if they came across a foreigner snooping around, the unlucky person would have met his end

The cave built by Major Douglas van Wicker on his farm 63 years ago has one entrance branching into two chambers: the one to the left measures about 100 metres and the other one goes in nearly 80 metres. The entrance is almost half a metre high, while the interior measures approximately two metres vertically. Until recently, when it was renamed Saruot Farm, the entire area surrounding Major Wicker’s 540-acre farm was known as Kapwicker (Kalenjin for Wicker’s place). Van Wicker, the Dutch, built a trap door at the top of the hill to facilitate quick entry into the cave.

The opening was designed in such a way that one had to stoop low on entry; then the roof slowly sloped upwards until one was able to stand and walk upright. Surprisingly, the project was abandoned a year later under unclear circumstances, leaving the trap door open and the cave yawning and incomplete. Van Wicker is believed to have gone back home in 1965, two years after Kenya won independence.

10. Tea Plantations and Factories

Have you ever wondered how such tiny plants can be turned into powder to produce the finest product consumed every day by the local mwananchi and even exported to other countries? This is where you should start. The plantations stretch for kilometres, and you could stand there for hours and still not be able to take it all in. You will see workers tending to the delicate plants. You can stop and ask them any questions you have about how they are planted or harvested; they will not hesitate to answer you.

Proceed from the plantations to the factory to witness the processing of the leaves, including how they are transformed into a fine powder and packaged. If you’re lucky enough to find good guides, you might take a bag or two of tea leaves home as a souvenir of your little adventure, and if you’re a generous soul, you’ll pay for those free bags.

11. Chesumot Farm

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 pick two canoes or a rowing boat moored to the jetty.

In the evenings, you could also take a horseback 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.

12. Tendeno Forest

Tinderet Forest falls under Nandi County, while Tendeno Forest falls under Kericho County. Tendeno is rich in history. It is one of the forest homes of the Ogiek people, whose name means ‘caretaker of all plants and wild animals’. They are one of Kenya’s last remaining hunter-gatherer communities, living in the forests of Mau, Elgon, and Tinderet. As specialised honey gatherers, it was in their interest to keep the forests alive. Tendeno Forest is 700 hectares, while Tinderet Forest is 7000 hectares.

Call Warden Rotich on 0729 416499 for a hike in Tendeno Forest.

13. Chai Square, Kaisugu Tea Farm

This dynamic couple has completely transformed the tea experience in Kericho Town. Helen, a true tea connoisseur, is passionate about educating others on the different types of tea and the poor quality often found in other establishments. Rather than simply complaining, Helen and her partner Titus have taken charge and revitalised a 1940s house on the expansive Kaisugu Tea Farm, conveniently located next to the highway. Their unique tea stop boasts a tea shop and soon-to-be-completed accommodation facilities.

While the tea shop is already open to the public, the couple is still putting the finishing touches on the accommodations. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the tranquil Chesimot botanical garden and dam, managed by Kaisugu Tea Farm. With their unwavering dedication to providing a top-notch tea experience, this couple is sure to make a lasting impact on the community.

14. Satellite

The Satellite building, located within the Mau Escarpment, is an abandoned structure with a rich history. It is rumored to have been utilized by the late President Moi as a covert base for intelligence operations. Presently, the building lies in ruins and is inhabited by local herders and their livestock. Access to the site is via a rough, scenic road spanning approximately 6 kilometres through the Chagaik tea plantations.

The Mau Escarpment forest, of which the building is a part, is home to three families of African elephants, each with an estimated population of thirty. Unfortunately, human-elephant conflict is a frequent occurrence as the elephants traverse the rapidly diminishing Mau Escarpment, which spans several counties in Kenya. At the base of the plantation lies a picturesque dam that supplies water to neighbouring residential areas. It would be a welcome development if the county were to reclaim the satellite building and transform it into a historic landmark or resort.

15. Kericho Tea Hotel

Kericho Tea Hotel is situated in Kericho, 1.5 miles from Kericho Golf Club. The hotel is a breathtaking resort that has been described as a “hotel with the air of a country club”. The hotel was built by Brooke Bond (K) Ltd. in 1958. It is a beautiful old-world hotel with 45 well-appointed rooms, several luxury cottages, and two luxury suites overlooking majestic, world-famous tea estates.

Kericho Tea Hotel is an ideal stopover and holiday destination for those who want to spend some quiet time in the countryside. Many organisations choose this location for seminars, workshops, and other corporate functions where tranquilly and beauty are essential ingredients for relaxing the mind. The hotel has two conference rooms and a fully-equipped secretarial bureau complete with a cyber cafe.

The cuisine at Kericho Tea Hotel is sure to awaken your taste buds. The mouth-watering delicacies range from local to international. You can also engage in a number of activities, such as swimming (there is an Olympic-sized pool), lawn tennis, and table tennis. For the more adventurous, you could take a tour around the tea estates. The hotel’s management can also make arrangements for guests wishing to tour Kericho town.

16. Holy Trinity Church, Kericho

The ACK Holy Trinity Church, Kericho, was built in 1950 and is still being used to this day. It is a beautiful piece of architecture in Kericho Town. The entrance to the church is around 700 metres on the left after passing the Tea Hotel, travelling in the direction of Kisumu.

17. Kimugu River Lodge

It is aesthetically created with Kipsigis culture in a rural environment that borders the beautiful Kimugu River. It is a nice place to relax, engage in fun-filled activities, learn about the Kipsigis culture, and enjoy the magnificent views of the Kimugu River.

The lodge has a playground that offers a place for the kids to play while you enjoy a good book and take in the tremendous views of the surrounding plantations and forests. For avid birdwatchers, you can spot over 200 species without even leaving our property. Spot everything from Shelley’s Greenbul to local butterflies and monkeys.

18. Uhuru Gardens, Kericho

Uhuru Gardens Kericho is a public park located in Kericho CBD. It is a recreational space that provides a serene environment for visitors to relax and enjoy nature. The park is known for its beautiful landscaped gardens, lush greenery, washrooms, walkways, hand washing stations, public seats, and various amenities for the public. Uhuru Gardens often hosts events and activities, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

19. Chai Square

Kericho County is home to the best Kenyan tea, which is renowned worldwide for its taste, with its town square, even known as Chai Square. The square is home to tea stalls that sell different flavours of Kericho tea in a well-defined environment. Some of the largest and oldest tea companies, like James Finlay, Unilever Kenya, and Williamson, have their bases here. Kericho is also home to the popular Ketepa brand.

20. Sikh Temple

Africa’s largest Gurudwara (Sikh place of worship) The temple is a monument dedicated to the memory of Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji of Kericho for his humble work. He founded the international charitable organisation Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jathat (GNNSJ), a charitable institution that promotes and upholds the spirit and practice of selfless service. The temple is located where the founder of GNNSJ had his residence and workshop (1927–1974). The Gurdwara was completed in 2000. The complex is one of the biggest Gurdwara buildings in Africa. The temple is designated as a place of spiritual significance.

21. Kaisugu Tea Factory

Kaisugu Tea is a homegrown tea processing factory owned by the African Gospel and African Inland Churches in partnership with the family of Kenya’s second President, H.E. Daniel Arap Moi. They are incredibly accommodating to visitors and, arranged in advance, can offer free factory tours to small groups. Avoid end-month tours, though, as staff are usually frantic with stock takes and other administrative duties. It’s also best to call once you arrive in the town, as tours may not be available all of the time. Learn about how tea leaves are received and graded from small-scale outgrowers, dried, and transformed into Kenya’s world-class loose-leaf tea. Tea is also available for sale at the factory’s outlet.

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