Marsabit National Park

Northern Kenya park with forest-covered mountains, desert plains and crater lakes.

Marsabit National Park features a dense montane forest and three crater lakes that provide a haven for a variety of birdlife, mammals and reptiles. The lower slopes of the mountain might be scorched and dry but the richly forested scenic views around makes it just as magical and a sight to behold. The beautiful park is a refuge for the huge tusked bull elephants and was home to most famous elephant named Ahmed until his death at an estimated age of 63 years. The patriarch, Ahmed was accorded round the clock protection from poachers through a presidential decree in early 1970. A model of elephant Ahmed now stands tall at the National Museum of Kenya in Nairobi.

Kenya Wildlife Service/ Kenya Forest Service co–jurisdictions compliments other Northern circuit destinations being A2 Highway, airstrip that also connects to South Island, Central Island, S. Turkana, Nasolot through L. Turkana. The park’s shallow wells / aquifers supply water to as far as Chalbi desert while the moss-covered cloud forest taps mist rainfall.

Wildlife

Elephants, buffalo, greater/lesser Kudu, hyena, Grevy’s zebra, Kirk’s dik-dik, reticulated giraffe, lion, leopard and baboon.

Climate

Jan-Mar is hot and dry, April-June is hot and wet, July-Oct is very hot and dry, and November and December are warm and wet.

What to take with you

Personal effects, drinking water, food, camping equipment if the visitor intends to stay overnight in the camp.

Also important are; Camera, binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellant, first aid kit, sunglasses and reserve car fuel.

Park Size

1,554 sq. Km

When to go

All year round

Birdlife and reptiles are diverse and rich that any bird lover would be delighted to be here. This destination is basically an ornithologist’s happy place. The extinct volcanic craters locally known as gofs around the Park make Marsabit such a wonderland. Located on the eastern side of the Park, Gof Bongole is the largest and the stagiest of the craters with a dizzying 10 kilometer round rim.

Lake Paradise is the most scenic and famous as it has been featured in quite a number of films. The natural amphitheater of Gof Sokorte Guda has a 150 meters high caldera that shelters the fresh waters of Lake Paradise. Most of these craters are home to a diverse number of bird species. Visitors can enjoy hikes in the dense forest with a closed high canopy wreathed in mist, camel rides, bird watching, bush trekking, camping and visits to the singing wells, Lake Paradise and Elephant pool.

Shallow wells / aquifers water supply to as far as Chalbi desert.

The park hosts some of the elephants with huge tusks. Also present are greater kudu, leopard and multiple birdlife.