Marsabit National Reserve

Background Information
"This Place is God's Gift"
Marsabit National Reserve covers an area of 1500 km2 and 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 of water in the region.

The reserve has three spectacular crater lakes that provide habitat for a variety of birdlife. One of the lakes, Lake Paradise, is most scenic and famous from early films and writings of Martin Johnson and Vivien de Wattville.

Marsabit reserve is also known because of large elephants like the famous 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.

Location:
Northern Kenya, 560km north of Nairobi in Marsabit District of Eastern Province.

HOW TO GET THERE

Roads
From Nairobi, the reserve is reached via Nanyuki and lsiolo a distance of 620 km. The road is paved up to lsiolo leaving a distance of 270 km of very bad road that is only motorable by 4 wheel-drive vehicles during the dry season.

Airstrips:
The reserve is 2 1/2 hrs by air from Nairobi and is adequately served by a tarmac airstrip located about one kilometer from Marsabit town centre.

Park Roads:
The reserve has one road that adequately serves Marsabit Lodge and campsites. The road also gives adequate access for management and surveillance.

Park Gates:
2 gates, (Ahmed & Abdul)

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Pristine forest
Scenic landscape and wilderness
Crater lakes
Elephants and Greater Kudu
Diverse birdlife
Diverse local cultures
FACILITIES

Campsites:
Abdul Gate Public Site; Ahmed Gate Public Campsite; Paradise Special Campsite.

ACTIVITIES

Ornithological (bird watching safaris);
Camel safaris to neighbouring plains (this activity can be conducted by the local people);
Visiting to "singing wells' where local people engage in songs while drawing water from deep wells to water livestock;
Game viewing.
.