National Park - 1,500 sq km - Managed by Kenya Wildlife Service
“This place is God’s gift”
Marsabit is a forested mountain which rises spectacularly from the middle of a desert wilderness and provides the only source of permanent surface water in the region. It has three beautiful crater lakes within a myriad of resident birdlife. The most scenic is Lake Paradise, made famous in the early films and writings of Martin Johnson and Vivien de Wattville.
Originally part of a huge Reserve which took in Shaba, Samburu, Buffalo Springs and the Losai National Reserve, the mountain was made a National Reserve in its own right. It is a nomadic rangeland and the droughtland of the Rendille herdsmen. Its name means ‘Mountain of Cold’.
One of the area’s special residents was Kenya’s most famous elephant, Ahmed – decreed a protected animal by the Presidential Order of President Jomo Kenyatta in 1970. Ahmed, who boasted some of the biggest tusks ever recorded, had a 24 hour armed guard. When Ahmed died, aged 55, his body was preserved and is now on display in Nairobi National Museum.
Other game to view includes: Greater Kudu, Reticulated Giraffe, striped hyena, aard wolf, buffalo, bushbuck, leopard and caracal.
Over 370 species of birdlife have been recorded which include the Somali Ostrich, the rare Masked Lark and over 52 raptor species (eagle, buzzard, vulture). A special treat is the rare Lammergeyer Vulture. The area is especially good for butterfly viewing with a wide variety of species.
Accommodation is at the Marsabit lodge sited at the edge of the forest.
Climate:
Wet
Features:
2 Crater Lakes
pristine forest
local cultures
scenic landscape
wildlife
birdlife
Elephants
greater kudu
Facilities:
Lodges
Campsites
Activities:
Game viewing
butterfly viewing
bird watching
camel safaris
visit to 'singing wells'
nature trails
hiking
Access
Roads:
From Nairobi the park is reached via Nanyuki and Isiolo, adistance of 620km.Part of the road is accessible only by four wheel drive vehicle during the dry season.
Parks
Roads:
Has one road that serves Marsabit lodge and campsite.
Airstrip:
Tarmac airstrip located 1km from Marsabit town.
Accommodation:
Lodges
campsites
Emergency:
Warden Marsabit Tel 254 0183 2028
Admission
costs
Adult
Child
Non resident:
US$ 20
US$ 10
Resident:
KSH 500
KSH 250
Citizen:
KSH 100
KSH 50
Vehicle:
<6 seats Kshs 200 per day, 6-12 seats Kshs 500 per day , 13-24 seats Kshs 1000 per day, 25-44 seats Kshs 2000 per day, 45 seats or more Kshs 3000 per day
