Kericho, Kenya, is a cool-climate gem in the south rift, famously blanketed by green hills that produce some of the world’s best tea. But there’s more to this place than a good cup of chai. If you’re looking for refreshing air, history, culture, and quiet beauty, there are several unforgettable places to visit in Kericho that go beyond the usual stops.
Kericho is in which county, though? That would be Kericho County, led by Governor Eric Mutai and Senator Aaron Cheruiyot. In this blog, we’ll take you through some of the area’s outstanding gems: the panoramic tea fields, the peaceful Chagaik Arboretum, and the impressive Gurdwara Sahib temple that now defines the Kericho town architecture. There’s also a stop at Kericho Golf Club (yes, there’s golf here too) and a closer look at the quiet pockets of nature and history that make Kericho worth your time. We’ve even included several Kericho town photos as a bonus.
Kericho Tea Plantations
If you’ve ever wondered what a sea of green really looks like, take a slow drive through the tea estates in Kericho. Among the best-looking and perhaps most productive tea plantations in Kenya, these vast, rolling fields stretch out in every direction, framed by hills, scattered trees, and dramatic skies. The landscape has a cinematic stillness to it, like a living painting. Everything feels deliberate, from the symmetry of the bushes to the clean-cut roads that make getting around surprisingly smooth.
But this place is more than just eye candy. Hidden within the estate are interesting gems like Murara Plants (where flowers are carefully nurtured) and the tea factories (which quietly keep Kericho Kenya’s tea engine running). It’s also worth noting: if you want to explore beyond the main roads, be ready for inspection stops, especially in estates owned by companies like Brown’s Plantations. You’ll need to step out of your car for a thorough but friendly security check. For those curious about the Browns Plantations Kericho address, several online sources list it as P.O. BOX 223, Kericho 20200, Kenya.
The vast estates are easily accessible from Kericho town. And whether you head toward Kisii or Ketepa, you’re in for sweeping views, quiet moments, and a deeper connection to Kenya’s tea story. Oh, Unilever also has a footprint in this lush part of the country.
Chesumot Dam
Hidden within a quiet, family-owned farm, Chesumot Dam feels like a little secret waiting to be discovered. It’s a short drive from Kericho town, about 15 minutes from the Ketepa factory. The road isn’t bad if you use the tarmacked route through Brooke Center. But if you’re feeling adventurous and have a solid 4×4, the rugged detour via Kaisugu Tea Factory could be worth the bumps. Either way, you’ll end up at a peaceful spot where green hills meet calm water.
The dam itself is small, man-made, and surrounded by rolling tea plantations and bits of forest. A wooden jetty stretches into the middle of the dam. It sways a little, which adds to the fun. For Ksh 500, you can walk around, swim, canoe, or row gently across the water. If you want to stay longer, there’s a shady campsite tucked under Indian ash trees. You’ll find hot showers, a fire pit, roundavels, and clean toilets, but you’ll need to bring your own tent. Camping is Ksh 1,000 per person.
It’s not a crowded place. Most times, you’ll hear only birds, leaves rustling, and the occasional splash. There’s also an Airbnb-style house nearby that sleeps six for Ksh 12,000 a night. Add horseback rides and tea pickers in the distance, and it becomes more than a picnic spot.
Gurdwara Sahib
Right in the heart of Kericho town stands an architectural masterpiece that’s hard to miss: Gurdwara Sahib, Africa’s largest Sikh temple. With its white domes, gold-tipped spires, and grand, arched windows, it catches your eye and holds it. The temple sits where Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji once lived and worked, and every inch of it carries his legacy of selfless service. Built in his memory, the complex is now a spiritual, architectural, and cultural landmark in the South Rift.
Walk by during the day and you’ll admire its clean symmetry and peaceful grounds. But come evening, when the entire building lights up in brilliant color, it becomes a glowing beacon visible across the town. The Gurdwara also houses the historic Kericho Wagon Works, first set up in the 1920s to repair timber wagons for tea transport. That small workshop grew to offer vocational training and jobs, eventually laying the groundwork for the nearby Nishkam Saint Puran Singh Institute, a fully accredited vocational college offering courses in everything from engineering to tailoring.
The spirit of the place feels grounded, welcoming, and full of purpose. Locals speak highly of the Sikh community’s role in building schools, hospitals, and places of worship across the region. It doesn’t matter if you’re drawn by the history, the architecture, or the quiet power of a place built around service; Gurdwara Sahib is one place to visit in Kericho, Kenya, that speaks to both the eyes and the heart.
Kericho Golf Course
Tucked away just 850 meters from Sinendet Towers and right across from Kericho Tea Secondary School, Kericho Golf Course is where nature meets leisure. The first thing that hits you is the view: expansive green, beautifully manicured fairways, and mature trees lining the edges. It’s hard to believe you’re still within town.
This 18-hole course has character. It’s not flat and easy; it rolls, dips, and challenges you to think before every swing. The grass is slow, the greens demand precision, and camouflaged bunkers keep you on your toes. You’ll need skill and patience here, especially with natural hazards like nearby homes and roads waiting to catch your mishits. But even beginners find joy in trying, especially with private lessons offered for juniors and group options for women and teams.
What makes the club feel special isn’t just the golf. It’s the cool air, the old-world charm, and the friendly crowd. There’s a bar, a cozy restaurant, and rooms if you want to stay the night. Events like weddings and conferences are also hosted here, so there’s always a buzz, but not the loud kind. From your first tee to your fifth round, Kericho Golf Club offers more than just a game; it’s a calm, green escape with a touch of elegance.
Fort Tenan
Fort Tenan doesn’t get the love it deserves, yet it holds some of the richest archaeological stories in Kericho County. This is where Louis Leakey discovered the fossil remains of Kenyapithecus back in 1961. We took the longer route here, 58km from Kericho town via Muhoroni, drawn in by the green hills along the Kisumu to Kericho road. A shorter option exists through Laliat, but the views made the detour worth it. Either way, you’ll likely pass through Koru, the hometown of the late Robert Ouko. That stretch alone carries its own quiet weight.
Once in Fort Tenan, you’ll come across a sort of sleepy railway station, still standing but unsure if it’s active. Not far from it is the Fort Tenan Museum, which is easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Signage is scarce, and the winding forks on the road don’t help, so it’s smart to ask for directions from locals. There’s also a bit of a climb to get there. For Ksh 300, a curator walks you through a collection that includes skulls, traditional tools, and cultural artefacts. I’m informed there’s a mass grave nearby, where Nandi warriors were buried with their weapons.
From the museum grounds, the view alone is worth the trip. You can see most of Fort Tenan town below, with green hills (Nandi Hills, I presume) rolling in the distance. Then, we made our way to the old railway bridges with wide, beautiful views of the hills and snaking roads below. There’s also the Wicker Cave, dug in the late 1950s, and a 12-meter railway tunnel carved out in 1903. Not far off is the Chepkendi hot spring, where footprints (some human, some not) dot the rocky surface.
Chagaik Arboretum
Chagaik Arboretum sits quietly off the Nakuru to Kericho highway, just about 4 km from Kericho town. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking out for it, but those who know it consider it one of the area’s most peaceful green escapes. Established in the 1940s by a tea planter named Tom Grumble, the arboretum has grown into a quiet retreat surrounded by lush tea estates. A commemorative plaque honoring Grumble’s contribution still stands near the entrance, an understated nod to the man who helped shape this green sanctuary.
The space itself is simple and serene; no manicured walking trails or built-up picnic areas. Just wide, open lawns framed by old, towering trees. Some are indigenous, others exotic, each adding to the diversity that gives the arboretum its quiet character. A lily-covered pond lies tucked away on the lower edge of the arboretum, adding to the calm atmosphere.
The breeze through the trees carries birdsong and the occasional rustle of movement deeper in the foliage. It’s the kind of place where people come with their own snacks and a kikoi or blanket to sit on. Families visit for relaxed outdoor time, couples find quiet corners to unwind, and others just stretch out under the shade and watch the trees sway. If you’re looking for stillness, fresh air, or a picnic site in Kericho, Chagaik fits the bill.
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral stands out right within Kericho town without shouting. You’ll know you’re getting close when the 30-meter-high bell tower comes into view, its white terrazzo finish gleaming in quiet contrast against the blue sky and red-tiled roof behind. From a distance, the cathedral may appear modest. But draw closer, and the details unfold: the thoughtful design that beautifully blends into the surrounding greenery.
What you find today is relatively new, though. The original church, built in 1969 by Dutch Mill Hill missionaries, was replaced in 2015 with a modern structure that still carries their spirit. Under the leadership of Bishop Alfred Rotich, it continues to serve as the heart of the Catholic Diocese of Kericho. The new cathedral is built from local stone and timber, complemented by a dramatically inclined roof and a vaulted interior that seats about 1,500. Heavy steel entrance doors, timber-vaulted ceilings, and filtered natural light create an atmosphere that’s simple, yet deeply intentional.
The calculated care continues outside. Near the church building, raised lawn terraces are divided by low retaining walls that gently step down from the church entrance and double as outdoor seating. Another clever touch? The doors along both transepts can fully open, allowing congregants to flow into the exterior concrete benches during service. A paved path leads to a Kisii soapstone statue of Mary tucked in one corner, while a more spacious section nearby hosts the Stations of the Cross.
The ground towards the main gate is paved, while trimmed lawn, shrubs, and young trees soften the edge along the perimeter wall. There’s also a central notice board, flanked by two long concrete benches. Across the wall adjoining the main entrance, a mural stretches; it’s not flashy, but it’s unmistakably local. Take a walk through the gate, and you’ll understand why this cathedral means so much to the community. After all, photos don’t do it enough justice.
West Valley, Kapkormon
West Valley, Kapkormon, stands out in my memories of the Kericho-Sondu road trip I reflected on a few months ago. You won’t find tea here, but something else steals the show: wide, open views that quietly take your breath away. You can get here in two ways: 17km from Kericho town via Ainamoi, or 24km if you pass through Kapsoit.
The drive from Ainamoi, about 17km from town, is especially scenic. As the road dips, the land stretches out before you in a flat sweep, framed by distant green hills. It’s the kind of view that makes you slow down without trying. Instead of tea, this area is dotted with coffee bushes and large sugarcane farms.
At the heart of it is the West Valley Sugar Factory, a fairly new player in the region’s economy. Its blue and white stripes are clearly visible even from a distance. Nearby is the Kipchimatt supermarket, under the same ownership. While not a tourist spot in the usual sense, it’s an interesting place to pass through if you’re curious about rural industry and agriculture. Muhoroni Sugar Factory, a more familiar name, is about 18km away, so you’re right in the middle of sugar country.
If you’re tempted to go exploring beyond the main roads, think twice unless you have a proper off-road vehicle. The feeder roads look inviting, but can turn treacherous fast. We learned this the hard way while coming from Fort Tenan Museum. Still, if you stay along the tarmac, it’s a calm and rewarding drive. Fewer people, more sky, and a quiet kind of beauty you won’t forget.
Ikonge’s Breathtaking Landscape
This stretch isn’t technically in Kericho, but it’s close enough (and beautiful enough) to earn a spot on your bucket list. About 40 kilometers from Kericho town, just past the Nyamira-Kericho border, the landscape between Ikonge and Korara Highlands Tea Factory is something else entirely: a gentle patchwork of green hills, rows of young trees planted in near-perfect symmetry, and pockets of older forest rising in between. Across the ridge, tea fields unfurl into the distance.
On this day, the sky stretched wide and blue, scattered with soft clouds drifting lazily above the hill. Bathed in sunlight, the landscape couldn’t be more photogenic. But don’t be fooled; give it a few hours, and you might find yourself under a full-blown downpour.
Heading toward Ngoina shopping center from Ikonge, the landscape changes once more. In the foreground, a row of old cream-colored cottages with rust-red roofs sits quietly among trimmed tea hedges and neat fences. Behind them, hills stack in soft, sweeping layers. Some are forested, others are freshly harvested, and a few are hiding glowing tea rows between the trees. The contrast between dark green and light green is striking, and the entire place feels like a hidden corner of a postcard you’d want to step into.
Drive further, and the road begins to curve again. To the left, eucalyptus trees stand tall and silent, and to the right, a green sea of tea fields stretches toward the horizon. As you drive toward Chemasit, Korara Highlands Tea Factory appears on the right, and further downhill, you’ll cross the intimidating River Sondu, a fitting end to one of the most scenic drives near Kericho.
Best Places to Hike in Kericho
If you’re looking for the best places to hike in Kericho, you’re in for a treat. Start with Chesumot, a hidden gem in Kericho, nestled in a family-owned tea estate. Walk uphill for sweeping views of the green landscape, treetops, and the occasional sighting of birds gliding over the valleys. The Chesumot camping site is also there if you want to stay longer.
Next up is the Kericho Arboretum, better known as Chagaik Arboretum. It’s perfect if you’re after a slower, more relaxed walk. Take a stroll under tall trees or walk the wide paths between tea bushes. From here, you’ll spot the Chagaik Factory on the opposite ridge, surrounded by tea fields. Down below, there’s a small dam; still holding water, though now largely covered in vegetation, unlike what the older photos on the web show.
@rawvisions035 Kericho’s hidden waterfall 🌿✨ Deep in Londiani (Ruskebe Waterfall), nature roars and whispers at the same time. #sunday #kerichotiktokers #nature ♬ original sound – Kericho Wild Trails/Hikers
Water is also part of the charm when exploring the best places to hike in Kericho County. If you have time for a slightly longer road trip, check out Londiani Waterfalls (Ruskebe waterfall, I presume). It’s a 53-minute drive from Kericho town. While this spot isn’t as hidden as Chemusot, it still feels untouched and serene. The waterfall is taller, and the surrounding forested hills make for a great light hike with big photo payoff.
Although technically in Bomet County, Boito waterfalls (specifically called Iria Maina Falls) are a prominent mention in lists of waterfalls in Kericho. The hike to the falls is short but leads to a stunning cascade that’s become a favorite backdrop for locals and visiting hikers alike. Nearby, you’ll find the Iria Maina Kipsigis Museum, which adds a cultural twist to your hike. About 10 kilometers from Boito Falls is the equally beautiful Kiptui Waterfall.
Bonus: Kericho Town Photos
It wouldn’t feel right to wrap up the best places to visit in Kericho County without a quick look at Kericho town, beyond the golf course, cathedral, and Sikh temple. Here’s a visual peek at a few other spots that give the town its charm, including Green Square Mall, Taidy’s, AIC Kericho, Southrift Hospital, and Sinendet Towers.
Conclusion
Kericho County, Kenya, is known for its tea, but as my staycation there proved, there’s so much more tucked between the hills and valleys. From quiet dams and sugar country views to sleepy museums with stories older than memory and architectural marvels right inside the town, each stop offered something different. You won’t always find crowds or polished tourist signs, but that’s part of the charm.
For the best places to visit in Kericho beyond the usual, these quiet corners are a good place to start. Take the longer route, ask locals for directions, and don’t rush the journey.
Ezekiel Maina is the brains behind ContentGenics, where he pairs creativity and strategy to craft B2B and B2C content that real people love to read. He has written for brands like House Digest, iFoundries, Harmony Home Medical, Postaga, and BeamJobs, and covered topics like home improvement, real estate, freelancing, digital marketing, career growth, food & travel, automotive, durable medical equipment (DME), and Cannabis. By day, he’s crafting content, catching up with clients from his home office, lost in a good book, or occasionally chasing nature and greenery in another county. By late evening, he’s typically deep in a documentary rabbit hole on Netflix or YouTube.
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