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The Source of Champions
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Preamble
Nandi County has huge tourism potential that, when fully and sustainably
developed will stimulate employment creation, promote conservation of the
natural environment, preserve the culture of the local community, and generally boost the economy of the county.
Existing Tourism Potential in Nandi County
Wildlife Tourism
This type of tourism product can be developed in the following areas;
Kingwal Swamp
Kingwal swamp is an attractive wetland that hosts the rare sitatunga. The
swamp is easily accessible via Eldoret-Kapasabet road. The swamp can be developed into a unique site for sitatunga viewing, a rare opportunity in Kenya,
satisfying the interests of both international and domestic tourists.
Bonjoge National Reserve
Bonjoge Game Reserve is little known yet a unique attraction of its own in
Nandi County and the surrounding counties. The reserve is the home of
different plant and animal species. The reserve can be developed into a major
attraction for both domestic and international tourists.
Cultural Tourism
Nandi County has a rich indigenous culture which has not previously been
exploited for tourism purposes. When fully developed, cultural tourism product will position the Nandi County has a unique destination for the highly
expanding cultural tourism market.
This type of tourism product can be developed in the following areas.
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Koitalel Samoei Museum
The museum that houses the remains of Koitalel Arap Samoei has great
historical significance not only to the Nandi people but also to Kenyans in
general. The museum creates a great re-connection to the struggle for independence. The museum contains the material culture for the Nandi people,
which acts as an important attraction to cultural tourists. The museum can be
developed into a reknown centre of attraction in Nandi County and the western tourism circuit in general.
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Cheruiyot Ecosystems Museum
This museum houses a wide collection of cultural artefacts on Nandi culture.
The museum is located on a scenic hill where tourists can have an exciting
view of the entire Nandi county and other neighbouring counties. The museum can be develop into an attraction of its own since it offers the tourists a
variety of experiences in a single visit.
Performing Arts
This includes;music,drama,dance and
recitals (narratives,histories and poetry).
In the African set up,performance always
reflect the aesthetic,principles and ethical
values of the society and therefore we are
endeavor to promote the development
of talent in the performing arts.We shall
utilize music and cultural festival as the
principal channel for talent development
with a view to greater promotion of
intangible culture.
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Historical Sites
Saamiitui
This is the place where the Great Nandi Royal Leader Kipnyolei Araap Turugat
father to Koitatel Araap Samoei lived.Nearby rock is where he use to chant his
prayers and also again his leadership tools were hidden since 1885 till 2006.
Since his dimise , the Nandi`s centre of authority and power began to disintergrate
Sheu Morobi
This sheer and overhanging cliff on the Nandi escarpment boasts of rich history
of the Nandi people besides offering a exciting scenery to both nature and culture lovers. Neighbouring sheu morobi is another unique attraction site-Daraja
ya Mungu. The sites can be developed into a popular cultural tourist sites with
the potential to attract both domestic and international
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Eco- tourism
Nandi County has great potential for eco-tourism development that, when
fully exploited, can make Nandi a County of choice for eco-tourists and other
emerging niche tourism markets. Besides revenue generation, development of
eco-tourism in Nandi county will contribe to sustainable utilization of forests,
opening up of tea farms for public access and overall diversification of tourism
product in the county.
Eco-tourism can be developed in the following areas;
North Nandi Forest
South Nandi Forest
Kobujoi Cultural Centre
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Tinderet Forest
The above forests have all the scarce beauty that will undoubtedly appeal to
eco-tourists. The forests are source of reknown permanent rivers in Kenya,
have diverse flora and fauna, and landscape within the forests is nothing but
marvellous.
Sports tourism
Nandi County is famous for its distinguished talented athletees who have dominated marathon games on several occasions the world over. Sports can be
diversified into more than just participating in the marathons to win and get
financial rewards into a unique tourism product, a means of diversifying the
economy of the county, as a way of preserving the history of athletics and athletees, and a unique way of branding the county.
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Agro-tourism
Nandi County boasts of huge agro-tourism potential that can be tapped to
make the county a preferred choice for agro-tourists. Agro-tourism can be
developed in the large Nandi Tea plantations and other agricultural related
activities.
Nature based tourism
Nandi County has some of the most unique landforms in Kenya that can
be developed into magnificient tourist sites in the county and in Kenya as a
whole. Nature based tourism can be developed in the following areas;
Kiplolok Springs in Kilibwoni
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Nandi Rock- for rock climbing
This, the most prominent rock formation along the whole length of the Nandi
(Nyando) Escarpment, is a 30 minute walk from the KWS post at Kaptumek. It
is of great cultural significance to both the Nandi and Luo and is a marker of the
escarpment boundary between the tribes. On the plains immediately below is
one of the locations where barter trade took place between the two.
The walk to the rock, over low-growing vegetation in rich, black soil and coarsegrained boulders is not challenging and soon one reaches rock ledges offering
magnificent views across the sugar plantations of the Nyando plains towards
South Nyanza, Lake Victoria and the shining buildings of Kisumu city. The
clearest views are early in the morning, the most beautiful and memorable at
sunset after a hot, sunny day. To the east and west the escarpment stretches
away into the middle distance. Most of the boulder-strewn landscape to the west
is part of Bonjogi National Reserve. The very top of the rock can be reached via
a short (30m) chimney, but should be tackled only by the experienced climber
with the proper equipment A number of caves, large and small, can be visited.
They are home to a variety of animals, including bats, lizards and hyrax, and
make a convenient refuge for humans caught by the rain.
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Menjeywo Caves
It is a beautiful, amazing physical feature and a complex ecosystem found in
North Nandi in place know as kakiptui.Tourism activities in this place include
cave tourism,canopy walking and nature trailing.
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Kaptumek Nandi Escarpment and Conservancy
Attractions:
(1) Tapendoi sheu
(2) Koitab oii(Demonic Rock)
(3) Kipchabo falls
(4) Chebuson(the windy rock)
CAVES
(1) Kamaget caves
(2) Bugoon cave
HIKING
All along the escarpment is good for hiking right from the hill foot.
BALOON FLYING
Baloon flying is also possible
CAMPING AND PICNIC SITES
The conservancy can provide good places for camping
Hospitality Service
The existing bed capacity and restaurants sitting capacity in Nandi County
needs to be upgraded to match current demand. There are investment
opportunities in the county to offer quality hospitality services and to increase
bed and sitting capacity.
Transport Services
Nandi County has a potential of transport services for the tourists, i.e tour
vehicles. At the moment the county has few registered tour companies. Tour
company services are necessary for the growth of tourism in any destination,
whether big or small.
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