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"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
