Desert >> Marsabit & Beyond

Marsabit lies to the North of Isiolo the official eastern gateway to the wilds of the Northern Frontier District, from this point you enter a world of harsh beauty, endless arid plains and the great monolithic mesa of Ol Olokwe on the horizon. At the heart of this great desert wilderness is the lush highland oasis of Marsabit.

Marsabit consists of a forested mountain that rises like an oasis in the middle of the desert wilderness and is the only source of permanent surface water in the region.Marsabit town and its sanctuaries lie atop of mountain rising sheer from the desert floor to a height of about 1707 metres. Marsabit Mountain is a natural phenomenon, the product of many centuries of volcanic activity. Due to the imposing nature of the mountain on the surrounding environment, Marsabit has its own ambient climate quite distinct from that around it. Every evening, at about midnight, the hot air rising from the desert floor cools and forms clinging fingers of mist which grasp the mountain slopes, only dissipating by early morning.

Although the lowers slopes are scorched and dry, above them is withering cliffs and giant trees, with a dazzling array of wildlife. Here birds and beasts dart between the tall stands of juniper and pordocarpus in a scene much as wildlife film-makers Osa and Martin Johnson recorded when they made their home at Lake Paradise, one of the crater lakes in the 1920's. Many species of raptors inhabit the shaggy cliffs and treetops around Lake Paradise.

Safari into this area brings the promise of plenty of wildlife. Keep in mind that game here is less exposed to human contact than wildlife in the Southern Parks. Finding animals can take time, but tracking down game in this pristine wilderness is a challenge, and like all real challenges, success comes with a rewarding sense of achievement.

Some of the best game viewing in this area is in Marsabit National Park.Plains game, including Northern endemics such as Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe and Oryx are often seen as well as large herds of Elephant.Marsabit's elephants parade to drink from the banks of Lake Paradise on a daily basis. The most famous elephant to frequent the Lake for nearly 63 years was Ahmed, an elephant that was provided with a 24 hour protection by a presidential order. Ahmed, who boasted some of the biggest tusks ever recorded, died at age 55, and his body was preserved and is now on display in Nairobi National Museum.

The main point of access to Marsabit National Park is from Marsabit town which lies close to the centre of the Park along the great Northern Road from Isiolo to the Ethiopian border. Marsabit lies some 280 kms north of Isiolo on a road in marginal condition. A bus runs between Isiolo and Moyale stopping in Marsabit three times a week. Unfortunately, once arriving in Marsabit town, walking is not permitted in the Park, so furher transport will need to be arranged in Marsabit to access the town.

Marsabit National Park is perhaps the most popular of northern Kenya's parks and reserves. Access is relatively easy by road or air using Marsabit town's airstrip. Some tour operators in Nairobi offer extended safaris to Marsabit.

There is only one lodge in Marsabit, the Marsabit Lodge with 48 beds. This lodge is located fairly close to Marsabit town's southern edge. There are two campsites in and around Marsabit National Park. The Main Gate Campsite is located about 200 m before arriving at the gate. This site has basic facilities, including water, toilet and firewood. The Lake Paradise Campsite is also an option. Located in the Gof Sokorte Guda crater, this site has no facilities