Ngare Ndare Forest Eco-tourism and Sustainability Project (KEN/COMPACT/OP4/YR2/RAF/08/02)

Project Details & Results

The Ngare Ndare forest is situated on the northern foothills of Mt. Kenya and has indigenous tree species like Juniperus Procera and Olea Africana as dorminant tree species. It is part of Mt. Kenya forest which got separated by farming lands that were curved out of the forest. Currently there are 2 farms between the forest and Mt. Kenya: Marania and Kisima farms.
Wildlife migration especially elephants between the Ngare Ndare and Mt. Kenya forest further serves to support the close relationship between the 2 forests.

The goal of the project is to tap into nature-based, income-generating opportunities within Ngare Ndare forest reserve, which are currently under-utilised. The forest reserve lies in the middle of Laikipia tourism circuit but does not take advantage of the tourism opportunity presented by its strategic location as well as unique environment given the fact that it’s the only natural forest of its kind in the area. Tourism enterprises neighbouring the forest like Lewa wildlife and Borana conservancies that tap high-end tourism clientele are able to offer wildlife-based products but lack the serene environment of natural forests and beautiful scenery like waterfalls present in the forest.

The potential of the envisaged income-generating project is underscored by the fact that existing neighbouring tourism ventures do utilise the forest for nature walks and picnic. At times tourists have requested to camp in the forest but lack of basic facilities like toilets and shower places hind realisation of the same.