Marsabit
National Reserve
"This
Place is God's Gift"
Background
Information
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.
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