Rimoi National Reserve &
Lake Kamnarok Reserve

Rimoi is under the authority of Keiyo County Council and administered and protected by the KWS.
Lake Kamnarok is under the authority of Baringo County Council. They lie adjacent to each other
in the Kerio Valley, 60 km north of the equator. They are really one ecosystem but are not being
administered as such.

The spectrum and numbers of wildlife have really suffered due to the encroachment of people and
their shambas and charcoal burning —— especially on the Kamnarok side. There is still a variety
of lizards and snakes, including the giant monitor lizard, but the exact numbers are unkown.
Twenty years ago there were at least 18 species of snakes; now it is anybodies guess as no study
has been done in recent times.
On the side of mammals, gazelle, dikdiks, warthog, mongoose, porcupines, pangolins and anteaters
are there, as are civets, serval and other cats.
Interestingly, the only surviving large land mammal is the largest of all, the elephant. A herd of
very wild individuals trek up and down the valley, spending only part of their time in the reserves.
They owe their continued survival to their intelligence and their dislike and distrust of human
beings. A distrust which is well founded, for every now and then one of them falls victim to the
poison spear of the poacher, despite the best efforts of the KWS rangers. Whatever you do, don’t
go looking for these animals without the knowledge and assistance of the rangers. Anyway, seeing
them isn’t so easy as they hide in the riverine bush, far from access roads, during the heat of the
day. Maybe the best bet, once they have been reported to be in the area, is to climb Koisabul hill or
another of the hills that used to be hunters’ observation posts, and be waiting at dawn or dusk with
binoculars at the ready.

Undoubtedly, Rimoi and the surrounding areas can be most interesting to bird watchers and
informed nature lovers, rather than the game-drive tourist.  In particular there is a wide variety of
birds, especially hornbills, turacos, honey guides and sunbirds. with occasional sightings of rare
migrants and wide-ranging raptors and vultures. One species of vulture which the locals refer to as
"Sich" is yet to be identified.
For those rare individuals who are interested in insects and plants there is a lot to be seen during an
extended walk. Examples abound of mimicry and cryptic camouflage, symbiosis and parasitism,.
In fact, dawn and evening walks with an overnight camp in the bush would be the best experience.
Tents are available in or just outside the Reserve. All other arrangements concerning food and
equipment and contact with KWS can be done through Sego Safari Lodge or Kerio View.
KERIO VIEW
Rimoi National Reserve
A termite mound in Rimoi
Edithcolea grandis
A rare species of euphorbia
Locusts on a rock
Example of cryptic camouflage