Marsabit National Park is a national park situated at Mount Marsabit in northern Kenya, near the town of Marsabit. The park is about 560 kilometers north of Nairobi in Marsabit County in the former Eastern Province. Its reserves are famous for its zebra population and bird sanctuary. The forest-covered mountain is an extinct Holocene shield volcano characterized by hills and several craters shrouded in mist.
The park is home to various plant species which have adapted to its semi-arid climate. The lower slopes of Mt. Marsabit are covered in acacia woodlands. The park is also famous for its big range of impressive tusked- elephants, although it is not much known for game drives, it’s good for hiking in dense forest, wreathed in mist can be best enjoyed along with the camel rides, bird watching as well as visiting the singing well.
The park covers an area of 1,554 square kilometers and was established in 1949 to protect the wildlife in the area and is managed by Kenya Wildlife Service.
CLIMATE
The climate in Marsabit National Park is hot, although it cools down at night. The average daytime temperature is 30 Degree Celsius (86 Degree Fahrenheit), while the average nighttime temperature is 19 Degree Celsius (66 Degree Fahrenheit). Rain mostly falls during the long and short rains, which peak in April and November respectively.
ATTRACTIONS AT MARSABIT NATIONAL PARK
Wildlife
Marsabit National Park has a diverse population of wildlife, the Park is home to over approximately 550 elephants, 3,000 buffalos, and 800 Greater kudus. Other animal species found here include lesser kudus, spotted hyena, leopards, lions, bushbabies, zebras, rhinos, leopards, sunis, and white and blue monkeys. The National Park has a rich biodiversity, including the endangered African wild dog, Beisa oryx and Grevy’s zebra. On the lower slopes of the forest of the park, marked by scrubland, there are populations of olive baboons, vervet monkeys, Peter’s gazelles, beisa oryxes, striped hyenas, caracals, and aardwolves. In the 1970s, the park achieved fame for reputedly having elephants with the longest tusks in the world. One elephant, named Ahmed, was under constant surveillance, and when he died, his tusks were found to weigh over 300 kg
Bird species
The park is home to over 350 species of birds in total, of which 52 are birds of prey. The cliffs in the northern end of Lake Paradise, in Gof Sokorte Gurda, are home to a number of birds, including Speckled Mousebird, Blue-naped Mousebird, Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, African Gray Hornbill, Gray-headed Kingfisher, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Egyptian Goose, Vulturine Guineafowl, Crested Francolin, Speckled Pigeon, Red-eyed Dove, Buff-crested Bustard, African Emerald Cuckoo, African Palm Swift, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Spur-winged Lapwing, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Little Grebe, Abdim’s Stork, Marabou Stork, African Sacred Ibis, Gray Heron, Secretary bird, White-headed Vulture, Brown Snake-Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, Mountain Buzzard and African Wood-Owl among others.
Butterflies
Marsabit National Park is home to many types of butterflies. However, after parts of the forest are disturbed or broken up, the number of different butterfly species tends to go down. Still, some species can find their way into these altered areas and help increase the variety of butterflies again.
Mount Marsabit
Mount Marsabit is a tall stratovolcano located within the Marsabit National Reserve, near the town of Marsabit in Kenya. It rises to 1,707 meters (about 5,600 feet) and covers an area of 6,300 square kilometers. The last time it erupted is not known. This mountain is around 170 kilometers from the East African Rift and features a variety of volcanic formations, including 22 maars and 180 cinder cones, primarily in the northwestern and northeastern parts. The lava flows from this extinct volcano can be anywhere from 3 to 20 meters thick. The maars here can reach up to 2.5 kilometers in diameter and some stretch as long as 3 kilometers. Two main volcanic belts run through the summit area, each about 15 kilometers long, providing a unique
Three Crater Lakes
Near Lake Paradise, you’ll find other smaller crater lakes such as ‘Gof Sokorte Dika,’ which means “Small Sweet Water Crater” in the local Borana language. This area is a popular spot for elephants. A short distance east is another small crater lake called Goff Bongole. Together, these three lakes are fantastic places for spotting a range of wildlife, as much of the park is covered in dense forest. The lakes are home to various species, including Grevy’s zebras, buffaloes, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, bushbucks, sunis, and leopards. The Marsabit National Reserve is stunning, featuring these crater lakes that are essential habitats for many birds and animals.
Lake Paradise
Located on the slopes of Mount Marsabit, Lake Paradise is one of the most breathtaking lakes in Marsabit National Park. It’s about a 10-kilometer drive from the park’s Ahmed gate and the town of Marsabit, making it quite accessible. This lake is the second largest of the three crater lakes in the park and is situated within “Golf Sokorte Guda,” a Boran term meaning “Big sweet water crater.” The lake earned its name “paradise” from American adventurers Martin and Osa Johnson. Nearby is a smaller lake, “Golf Sokorte Dika,” known for being a popular hangout for elephants and other wildlife. Both lakes are ideal for animal spotting, especially during warm days when many creatures come to drink water. The landscape around the lake changes with the seasons, turning lush green during rainy times and golden when it’s dry.
Amazing things to do while on a Kenya safari in Marsabit National Park
Game Viewing
The best time to see wildlife in the park is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. During the heat of the day, many animals hide in the shade, making them hard to spot. You can easily reach the park from Marsabit town. While your game viewing safari, you’ll have the chance to see a variety of wildlife species such as elephants, rhinos, lions, buffaloes, leopards, greater Kudu antelope, Grevy’s Zebra, and Reticulated Giraffes among others roaming in their natural habitat. you guide tour guide will have you spot them including providing information about these animals.
Visit the Singing Wells
You can check out the “singing wells” where locals sing while fetching water for their animals. It’s a wonderful way to witness the culture and traditions of the pastoralists as they harmonize while working.
Bird Watching
Marsabit National Park is a top spot in Kenya for bird enthusiasts. It’s home to over 350 bird species, including those that live in grasslands and forests. During your birdwatching excursions, you’ll have the spot variety of different colorful bird species such as African fish eagle, Emerald-spotted wood dove, Grey crowned crane, Hartlaub’s turaco, Vulturine guineafowl, Secretary bird, Osprey, Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, Lesser and Greater Honeyguide, Eurasian Kestrel, Red-bellied Parrot, African Black-headed Oriole, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Pygmy Batis, White-crested Helmetshrike, Gray-headed Bushshrike, African Paradise-Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Somali Fiscal, Somali Tit, Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit, Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark and Northern Crombec among others.
Mountain Climbing
Mountain climbing is one of the most exhilarating activities to do in the park. this activity is carried out in Ol Olokwe Mountain south of Marsabit is a fantastic experience. Along the way, you will be granted with astonishing views of the surrounding environment as well as the fascinating fauna and flora found within the mountain
Visit Bongole Crater
Gof Bongole is a crater in Eastern Kenya, about 845 meters above sea level. This 2.5 km-wide crater was formed by the interaction of magma and underground water. Inside, there’s a lake whose size changes with the rain. The area around the crater provides excellent opportunities to see wildlife, especially during dry seasons when animals gather to feed and drink.
Visit Lake Paradise
Lake Paradise is one of the most gorgeous lakes located in the heart of Marsabit National Park, just about a 10-minute drive from the park entrance. Nearby, there’s another smaller lake known as ‘Golf Sokorte Dika,’ a favorite spot for elephants and other wildlife. Both lakes are great places to watch animals come and drink, especially when it’s hot, and you’ll also find many birds around.
Cultural Treat
Visiting local villages allows you to explore their farms and interact with the community. You can learn about their culture and enjoy guided tours. You might also have a chance to watch a cultural performance arranged at your accommodation to make your evening special.
Camel safaris
Camel safaris to the adjacent plains guided by the native people of this area is one of the wonderful moments on how to explore the destination, as your local guide follows you along on another camel, sharing with you beautiful stories of this great destination.
Trekking
Marsabit is a great place for hiking, with many interesting trails starting from Marsabit town. You can walk to see impressive volcanic craters, and just outside the town, you’ll find Borana wells. These deep wells provide water for cattle, and local men work together using buckets to bring water up for their herds. These wells are essential for the Borana people in the area.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MARSABIT NATIONAL PARK
The best time to visit the park is normally during the dry season which runs from June to September. This is the perfect time for to wildlife gather in the available water sources. More so, the Wet season from October to May offers lush landscapes, making it suitable for birdwatching.
WHERE TO STAY IN MARSABIT NATIONAL PARK
Marsabit National Park has affordable accommodations that cater to a large group of individuals. The accommodation facilities range from Budget, mid-range to luxury levels. Some of these Includes Jirime Hotel & Resort, Ebisa Hotel Marsabit, Sand & Rock Resort/ Hotel, Henry & Rosanna’s Campsite, Silvia Inn Hotel, B &B Resort Marsabit, Harmony Spot Hotel, Big Tusks Hotel, Nomads Trail Hotel, Saku Guest House and Gof Hotel Marsabit among others
GETTING TO MARSABIT NATIONAL PARK
You can reach Marsabit National Park by either road or air travel.
By Road
There are two main entry points into the park: the Ahmed Gate and the Abdul Gate, which are both near the park headquarters. If you’re coming from Nairobi, you can drive 570 kilometers to get to the park. The best option for this journey is to use a 4×4 safari vehicle or a private car, as the terrain can be rough.
By Air
For those who prefer flying, there is an airstrip located just 4 kilometers from the park’s main entrance. A flight from Nairobi to Marsabit takes around 2 hours, and the airstrip is well-maintained with tarmac, situated about 1 kilometer from the center of Marsabit town.
