Bungoma county, located in western Kenya is one of the highly populated areas in western Kenya. Just like many counties in western Kenya, Bungoma is home to culture and traditions. The inhabitants of this region ( mainly Bukusu) are staunch custodians of their culture and beliefs. This article has covered natural features in Bungoma county which are both local and international tourist attractions.
Mount Elgon National Park
Mt. Elgon national park is one of the places that any visitor to Bungoma county cannot miss a visit. Visitors can explore its vast forests, see elephants, and caves and do activities such as rock climbing, horse riding, bird watching and hiking.
This park is home to hundreds of elephants, monkey species and birds Lovers of birds have hundreds of species to watch such as moorland Francolin, moustached green tinkerbird, alpine chat, and lammergeyer ( now endangered) among others. Visitors will also like to see Elgon waterfalls, bamboo forests and rare tree species among others.
Mwibale wa Mwanja
It is a solid volcanic rock located in the Kanduyi constituency about 20km from Bungoma town. This great rock is over 300 feet above the ground and covers an area of over 20km in circumference. When on top one views the nearest towns such as Bungoma, Webuye, and Tororo Uganda among others. There are also springs emanating from the rock. Tourists who love rock climbing will find this an interesting place to tour.
Nabuyole Falls ( Broderick falls)
It is located about 10km from Webuye town in a village called Nabuyole in Bungoma county. It was originally known as Broderick falls during the colonial period. It had been named after the first white man who visited the locals and saw the falls. With time locals gave it its local name. The place is cool with three tributaries formed where the fall emanates, forming a beautiful sight to view and admire. This place is open to both local and international tourists.
Sikele sya Mulia
This is a huge rock in Namwacha village, about 20km from Bungoma. Both local and international tourists visit this place to see the footprints of Mulia, a Bukusu seer. Tales have it that Mulia was a great man with extraordinary powers. It is believed that he stepped on the rock leaving his footprints behind. There are other footprints on the same rock believed to be of his son, wife and perhaps some of his domestic animals and wild animals. This is the best place to visit and hear the tales of the great Mulia.
Sang'alo hills
Several caves add to the beauty of these hills. These hills were formed due to volcanic activity many years ago. There are hundreds of indigenous tree species where locals and researchers extract herbal medicines.
These hills have several peaks where one can climb and view Mumias and Nzoia sugar belts, and nearby towns such as Bungoma, webuye and Mumias.
Wekelekha rocks
It is located about 4km from Bungoma town in Wekelekha village. This place is indeed beautified by these rocks as the huge rocks sit on the smaller rocks. To a stranger, these rocks seem as if they might fall the next second but they are still and strong as they have stood that way for decades. Several caves around the rocks add to the beautiful scenery of wekelekha rocks.
Mwikhupo falls.
Found in Tongaren sub-county in Bungoma. One of the places where River Nzoia flows. It is one of the most elegant places In the Central parts of Kenya. The river has a wide variety of scenic features from where it starts in Moiben to where it ends in Lake Victoria. There's a cool breeze which emanates from the fall and a large extension of igneous rocks beautifully arranged in layers.
Kabuchai hills.
Biggest in the region covering thousands of acres from Nangwe to Marakaru. Found in Kabuchai constituency, Bungoma County. An area that lacks the glamour and luxury associated with the most tourist posts. Residents believe the hills are a special gift from God and forefathers made sacrifices there to appease ancestors so that they can bring rain.
Malakisi hills.
Found within wondrous Mount Elgon biosphere, not far from where River Malakisi disappears underground at another wonderful place named "Daraja la Mungu" when translated means the bridge of God, close to another Marvel where footprints on rocks are locally claimed to be those of Jesus. It is partially known because this part of the forest was the battleground for some fierce between the Kenya army and Sabaot.
Chetambe falls.
Found in Webuye seen from raised banks of River Nzoia along railway line pass. It has a variety of activities for example extraction of sand, extraction of concrete and building stones. It is at the forefront of supporting income generation for locals in the area.Â
Chetambe Fort.Â
This gives the history of the Bukusu clan where legend has it that hundreds of legendary Bukusu clan members died during the war between white men and the native, in 1895. It is named after the owner of the land on top of the hill Chetambe Ifile where natives built the fort of stonewalls known as 'Olukoba Iwa Chetambe' built by the Tachoni community living on the hills for hiding time during the war. It gives the history of the Luhya at the different periods and times of war to the colonial powers. Chetambe helped the community members to build a strong fort with two gates one in the East and the other in the Southern part where community animals and people lived in safety.Â
Kitum cave
This cave is located in Bungoma county of western Kenya and extends about 200 metres towards mt Elgon near the Kenya- Uganda border. This cave became known to many people around the 1980s when some European contracted a bats virus disease which was named Marburg virus. This cave is one of the largest caves of Mt Elgon. This cave has been widening over time because animals such as elephants, bushbuck, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas always mine the walls for its rich sodium salts.
Daraja la Mungu ( The bridge of God)
This place is found in an area near a place known as Kimaeti where the river Malakisi disappears about 500 metres underground and emerges to continue with its flow. It is believed that the river found a rock with space underground and that is the reason why it disappears underground for half a kilometre. The most fascinating thing is that one can feel its flow strongly underground. This is a wonder that locals say was a bridge made by God hence they gave it a Swahili name; "Daraja la Mungu."