The second edition of the Magical Kenya Mountain trails series is scheduled for later this month at the Kakamega Forest.
The trails of the forest are currently being prepared for the event which seeks to market Kenya as a trail destination to locals and foreign tourists as well.
The National Reserve known as the only remnant of the once great Tropical Rainforest stretching across Central Africa and an important Birding Area (IBA) is a key adventure and nature tourism destination in the western tourism circuit.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) senior warden Ms Karen Ndiema has disclosed that already about 13-kilometer section of road in the park is near completion and a 34-kilometer fencing is also in completion stage.
” The two counties of Kakamega and Vihiga, the Kenya Roads Board, the Rhino Ark are key partners in this projects that are aimed at sustaining the forest,” said the senior warden.
Kenya tourism Board (KTB) Chief Executive Officer June Chepkemei said the 2nd edition of the trail series will seek to promote the Western tourism circuit by putting spotlight on nature and adventure tourism.
” We shall continue to champion for the Magical Kenya Mountain Run and Trail Series as it helps us to showcase untapped destinations and offers something different to our visitors. Through this second edition we will feature counties along the unexplored western tourism circuit namely Kakamega, Siaya and Homa Bay to culminate in Nyamira for great run scheduled for 4th May, ” added the CEO.
The scheduled event comes after the success of the inaugural Magical Kenya Trail & Mountain Run Series event early this year featuring counties of Laikipia, Nakuru, Baringo, Usain Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi County that hosted Tindiret Mountain run.
According to KTB, the trail series will largely feature adventure through hiking, cycling and cultural Immersion.
” Kakamega forest is best experienced on foot and has already well marked trails that allow for forest walking, Rock Climbing and Hiking. It will enhance visitor experience especially avid adventure enthusiasts, ” Says KWS senior warden.
Homa Bay county will anchor adventure through it unique Ruma National Park which is famous for being Kenya`s last remaining sanctuary for the roan antelope as well hosting two sanctuaries namely Roan antelope and rhino sanctuaries.
It also hosts the second largest population of Rothchild Giraffe in the world.
While lauding KTB for the program, Utonga Nature Conservancy Executive Director William Omamo junior said the initiative will enhance exposure of western corridor of Turkana, the North Rift, Bungoma, Kakamega and Lake Basin as the next frontier for unexplored Kenya’s tourism product.
” It will offer Kenya a chance to refresh, diversify their experience, an emerging trend that speaks to climate action and the new tourism consumers including millennials and Genz who want more immersion and adventure in culture & heritage”
In Siaya county, trail series will be spotlighted at Utonga Nature Conservancy established to restore the degenerated ecosystem of the Lake Victoria basin peninsula due to charcoal traders, loggers and illegal poachers.
