Best places to visit in Kericho county - All You Must Know Before You Go (2024)

Kericho County is home to the best Kenyan tea, recognized for its brightness, appealing color, crisp flavor, and aromatic leaf textures that serve as a tourist draw.  Green carpets of farmland dot the high viewpoints, allowing you to stop and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. As far as the eye can see, the hilly countryside is lush green with tea plantations all over.

Without further ado, take a quick look at the best places to visit in Kericho, from historical landmarks to sacred sites, delicious 

List of Best places to visit in Kericho county

Kericho Tea Plantations

Tea Plantation is a popular attraction in Kericho for tourist

The first on our list of best places to visit in Kericho is Tea Plantation. Kericho is famous for its tea production and visiting a tea plantation is a must. Visit a tea plantation, learn about the tea-making process, and taste some of the freshest tea in the world. 

If you like walking in nature, green is one of your favorite colors and you enjoy photography, then this activity is for you. Kericho Tea Plantations are usually a meter and a half high, so you can see a whole tea plantation between the steep mountains of the Kericho region.

You can also visit numerous tea factories such as Kabianga factory, Mau tea factory, and Ketepa tea factory to have an idea of how tea is processed.

Kapkatet Museum

The museum was established in 2008 to appreciate and preserve the rich culture of the Kipsigis people. It is located in the town of Kapkat. It features galleries and exhibitions of handicrafts and other traditional goods used by the Kipsigis in their early years. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Kericho at the weekend

Chagaik Arboretum

This arboretum is a botanical garden showcasing over 200 species of trees and plants. Visitors can take a guided tour of the gardens, learn about the different species of trees, and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful surroundings.  It is one of the most popular Kenya attractions that lure tourists to explore its historical monuments, pristine beaches, and extensive corals.

Chagaik Arboretum is one of the best holiday destinations in Kericho that makes your trip memorable.

Fort-Ternan Museum

Fort Ternan, a peaceful settlement in Kipkelion West constituency, hides some of Kericho County's most interesting historic and tourist landmarks. This ancient location is about 19 miles from Kericho and 15 km from Fort Ternan. It is not just the place where Dr. Louis Leakey discovered a 14 million-year-old fossil, but it is also home to Wicker Caves, a lengthy railway tunnel and bridge, and a hot spring. Dr. Leakey found the Kenyapithecus wickeri fossil at Fort Ternan. The fossil is currently housed in the National Museum in Nairobi.

Chebulu Conservancy

 Chebulu Conservancy is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kericho

It is located in Sigowet. It consists of the Chebulu rainforest covering an area of about 21 kilometres. The reserve is classified as a community property and a water tower for the Chebulu River. Notable attractions in the reserve include: monkeys, baboons, different species of birds, campsites, and rocky outcrops suitable for hiking activities 

Mau Forest

The Mau Forest is one of the most beautiful forests in Kenya

The Mau Forest is one of the few remaining native forests in Kenya. It is home to several species of birds and butterflies. Endemic birds such as the Hartlaub's Thrush, Jackson's Partridge and Hunter's Fan-tailed Warbler are famous visitors to the area. There are also mammals such as the forest elephant. Many rivers as well as waterfalls originate from this forest. This forest is perfect for visitors interested in bird watching and nature walks.

The forest borders Kericho County to the west, Narok County to the south, Nakuru County to the north and Bomet to the southwest. It is divided into seven districts including South West Mau (Tinet), East Mau, Odoniopuro, Transmara, Maasai Mau, West Mau, and South Mau. The complex forms part of the upper catchment area and is the source of catchment for Lake Victoria and the White Nile. Many more rivers originate here and transport Mau's waters throughout western Kenya, from Lake Turkana in the north to Lake Natron in the south. These rivers support agriculture, hydropower generation, urban water supply, tourism and wildlife habitat in most parts of Kenya.

The Kipsigis Museum Kapkatet

The Kipsigis Museum of History, Art, and Science, located in the heart of the Cappucet Trading Centre in the Brady constituency of Kericho County, is a jewel of the community. Established on 20 October 2008, the facility attracts researchers, learners, and visitors from around the world. Every day of the week, its doors are open from morning to night.

The museum's collection includes tools for cultivating, harvesting, and providing food, herbs and amulets for various ailments, and weapons used for defense. It also has a collection of traditional Kipsigis musical instruments, such as the single-string kimeng'eng, the five-string chepkesem, the six-string chemonge and the eight-string ketuba.

Kipsigis Museum is an ethnographic museum showcasing Cultural artifacts of Kenyan communities

Tulwap Kipsigis

It is among the best places to visit in Kericho at the border between Kipkelion and Londiani. It is an important monument in the history of the Kipsigis, a sub-tribe of the Kalenjin. It is an important place for the Kipsigis to rekindle and revisit their ancient cultural practices of circumcision and worship of God.

Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary

The Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary, nestled in the heart of Kiptetan, Kenya, offers a captivating haven for wildlife enthusiasts. 

Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary has to be among the first few famous places in Kericho for families. This sanctuary provides a natural environment for primates. It has trees, water features, and plenty of space to run and play. The Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary also works to educate the public about the value of primate conservation. Visitors can take a guided tour of the sanctuary to learn about the behavior and habits of various primates. In addition, the sanctuary works with the local community to promote sustainable living practices to help conserve primate habitats.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral Chruch

This cathedral is the second largest church in Kenya and one of the famous places to visit in Kericho County

This cathedral is the second largest church in Kenya and is located just a few kilometers from the town of Kericho. The structure is 25 meters high and can accommodate 1,500 people. According to the community, the structure was specifically designed to complement the surrounding landscape. It is a striking building that stands out amongst the mountains and lush green plantations.

The cathedral has since won three awards. In 2017, the Civic Trust, which organizes Europe's oldest built environment awards for projects that provide cultural, social, economic or environmental benefits, presented the Kericho Cathedral team with a special award. In addition, the project won the Lighting Design Award at the Surface Design Awards and a Special Jury Award at the 2016 British Construction Industry Awards.

Travel Guide to Kericho Tourist Places in Kenya 

Where is Kericho located?

Kericho County is one of 47 counties in the Republic of Kenya. It is located in the South Rift of the Great Rift Valley, approximately 256 kilometers from Nairobi, Kenya's capital city. The county covers a total area of 2,479 square kilometers and is split into 6 sub-counties, 30 wards, 85 locations, and 209 sublocations. The county is ideally positioned to profit from the numerous markets given by adjacent counties due to its strong national and county roadways that connect it to the rest of the counties

How to get to Kericho 

Get to Kericho from anywhere in the world by train, bus, car and more

Kericho may be accessible in a variety of methods, including road and air transit from Nairobi metropolis to Kericho.

By Air transport

Kericho has an airstrip, but flights are uncommon, so guests should arrive via Kisumu International Airport and then take an airport cab or bus to Kericho. Kenya Airways, fly540, and East African Safari Air service Kisumu International Airport via regular flights from the national capital, Nairobi.

By Road transport

Kericho is connected to numerous significant cities in the country via bus, including Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Nairobi.

Because of the nature of the Kenyan tropical environment and the volcanic soil in which Kericho Gold's tea is cultivated is rich in antioxidants and important for a healthy digestive system, sip into smart weight reduction with the Detox tea, created to help cleanse your body and increase your metabolism.

Best time to visit Kericho 

The best time to visit Kericho 

Kericho's climate is classified as warm and temperate. Kericho has a significant amount of rainfall during the year. This is true even for the driest month. The best time to visit Kericho is from January until March, June until September and November and December, that's when you can have a pleasant temperature and limited till mediocre rainfall, the highest average temperature in Kericho is 780 F in February and the lowest is 680 F in June.

Where to stay in Kericho?

Best hotels to stay in Kericho

Here are some of the best hotels to stay in Kericho

• Sahara Garden Kericho: Located in Kericho, Sahara Garden - Kericho is fitted with accommodation. Featuring barbecue facilities and views of the garden, guests can enjoy a drink at the bar. Each room is fitted with a flat-screen TV
• Crown Hotel Kericho: Located in Kericho, 2 km from Kericho Golf Club, Crown Hotel Kericho is fitted with a restaurant, free private parking and a bar.
• Sunshine Hotel Tengecha: Located in Kericho, 1 mile from Kericho Golf Club, Sunshine Hotel Tengecha offers a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. Offering a bar, this accommodation is less than 2.3 miles from Kenya Highlands University. The accommodation comes with a 24-hour front desk, airport transport services, room service, and free WiFi. All rooms at this property are fitted with a wardrobe. The nearest airport is Kisumu International Airport, 54 km from Sunshine Hotel Tengecha.
• Sunshine Hotel Upperhill: Sunshine Hotel is located in the heart of Kericho Town, Kericho District, Rift Valley Province, East Africa. The chain of hotels is based on sound Christian values and includes the Panoramic Sunshine Hotel-Upperhill, where period charm, elegance and tradition create a haven of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
• Mwananchi Hotel: Close to Kericho Tea Plantations (1.3 mi), a popular Kericho landmark, Mwananchi Hotel is the best place to stay in Kericho for tourists. Mwananchi Hotel features a 24-hour front desk and guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, which has made this a popular choice among travelers visiting Kericho.
• Comfort Guest House
• Taidys Suites Kericho
• Comfort Guest House Kericho

Conclusion

Kericho offers visitors a peaceful experience with captivating beautiful scenes. So don't wait, start planning your trip by checking out the best places to visit in Kericho today and embark on an unforgettable adventure in one of the most attractive destinations in Kenya. However, you need to apply for a Kenya ETA online before traveling to Kenya. To get a Kenya ETA, travelers just need to submit the necessary documents, fill out an application form, maybe have an interview if asked, and meet some specific requirements.