Ngare Ndare Forest

The Ngare Ndare indigenous forest lies at the foot of Mount Kenya, nestled in a lot of natural beauty and ecological importance. This enchanting forest is dotted by tall 200-year-old trees, which guarantee a cover of canopies to harbor an immense assemblage of birds and animals. Shimmering azure pools collect beneath waterfalls cascading from above through Under the Gorge canoeing tranquil means of escaping back into nature.

A vital corridor, Ngare Ndare connects Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to Mount Kenya, and since it is an important migratory route for wild animals such as elephants, it has been serving this purpose for ages. For hundreds of years, these gigantic animals have migrated through this corridor so that ecological equilibrium is maintained in the region. In the 1980s, the farmland developed in the south of the forest brought humans and elephants into frequent fatal conflict.

Because of these challenges, the forest was fenced off from the southern farmland in 1992, considerably reducing human-wildlife conflict. A result of this act was the avenue it provided for conservation, which eventually led to the founding of Ngare Ndare Forest Trust in 2004. It was not until 2009, however, that a concession management agreement was finally cemented with the Kenya Forest Service, thus securing an important step for the future of the forest.

Today, Ngare Ndare stands as testimony to how conservation and community development go hand in hand. From the thrilling canopy walk to the serene waterfalls and peaceful pools, it is a chance for the visitor to experience this treasure in biodiversity. Be it a nature enthusiast or an adventure-seeker, the Ngare Ndare Forest is a virgin reminder of the sensitive balance between human endeavor and animal conservation.