Marsabit National Reserve is a reserve and a national park located at Mount Marsabit in northern Kenya, near the town of Marsabit in Northern Kenya. It is located 560km north of Nairobi in Marsabit County in the former Eastern Province and its reserve is noted for its zebra population and bird sanctuary to thrill while on Kenya wildlife Tours.
The area contains a number of extinct volcanic crates, which are covered in forests, there is a crater in the vicinity named Gof Redo, roughly 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) north of Marsabit in the fork of the roads to Moyale and North Horr. The reserve covers an area of 1,554 square kilometers and consists of afforested mountain that rises, such as oasis in the middle of the desert wilderness and is the only permanent water source in the region. Marsabit national reserve was established in 1949 to protect the wildlife in the area and is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Attractions in Marsabit National Reserve.
Wildlife.
The Reserve has got the animal species that can be spotted in the reserve that includes the elephants, lions, Aardwolf, Caracal, Grant’s gazelle, Oryx, Klipspringer, and Greater Kudu and among others.
Bird species.
Marsabit National Reserve is known as a birding destination with various bird species, the reserve has got over 350 notable bird species that includes the yellow- billed turacos, yellow- billed storks, purple herons, red-knobbed coots, ibises, Ruppell’s griffon vulture, peregrine falcons, black kites, African fish eagle, African olive pigeon, bearded vulture, hartlaub’s turaco, Heuglin’s bustard, masked lark, peregrine falcon , Somali couser and among others, these can be sighted at the cliff in the northern end of lake Paradise, as well as in the three pristine crater lakes which provides habitants for various birdlife.
3 crater lakes in Marsabit National Reserve.
The Reserve consists of the three craters that supports the wildlife in the reserve and the surrounding community, like Lake Paradise the second largest of the three crater lakes serves a lot in the in the reserve.
Other attractions in the reserve includes the pristine forest, lake paradise.
Activities done in Marsabit National Reserve.
Game Viewing.
Game viewing in Marsabit National Reserve is done in the morning and the late afternoon, this is where the guests can be taken around the reserve as they are viewing various animal species in the reserve this game viewing is done by the help of the safari tour operator who offers you the special guiding and safari services to suit your tour needs.
Bird watching.
In the Reserve there is a favorable activity to all the bird watchers that is bird watching is best done in the reserve as you’re watching various bird species in the reserve like the African olive pigeon, bearded vulture, Somali counser and many others.
Camping.
Marsabit National Park offers you the best memories in the reserve, here the guests experience the wild nature through the outdoors, the reserve consists the camping sites such as the lake paradise campsite, Ahmed campsite, Abdul campsite where camping is offered, camping gives the guests the best stunning time of looking at the stars in the night.
Fishing.
Marsabit National Reserve organizes the fishing activity for the tourists who want to fish, the reserve plans for the fish trips with the holidays, courses, and experiences to the guests.
Camel rides.
The Reserve offers the camel rides in most ecologically friendly way of touring the plains without emitting fumes, noise when you’re on the back of the camel around the reserve while viewing bush backs, caracals beisa Oryx’s, stripped hyenas among others as well as bird species like African Olive pigeon, bearded vulture, masked lark, purple heron, hartlaub’s turaco and among others.
Hiking.
Hiking in Marsabit National Reserve is done on the top of the volcano, as you hike you will be able to encounter numerous plant species, animal species like elephants, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkey as well as bird species. Hiking in the reserve, takes you to visit the craters found in the reserve like lake paradise for scenic views and among other features.
Best time to visit Marsabit National Reserve.
The reserve can be visited throughout the year since it’s located in the remote area.
Where to stay in Marsabit National Reserve.
There are comfortable and the most favorable accommodations in Marsabit National Reserve ranging from the budget, mid-range and the luxury accommodations in Marsabit reserve that includes the Sand and Rock Resort, Nomads Trail hotel, Chicho hotel, Gof Hotel Marsabit, and among others.
Entry fees for Marsabit National Reserve.
| Category | Citizen (KSH) | Resident (KSH) | Non- Resident (USD) |
| Adult | 250 | 250 | 20 |
| Child | 100 | 100 | 10 |
How to get to Marsabit National Reserve.
The reserve can be accessed by both the road and the air transport from Nairobi to reach the reserve.
By Road transport.
From Nairobi the reserve can be accessed through the Nanyuk and Isiolo on a distance of 570 kilometers to main destination, and here you’re recommended to use 4×4 wheel drive safari vehicle or a private vehicle.
By Air Transport.
There is an airstrip at Marsabit which is 4 kilometers away from the park’s main gate, it takes 2 hours by air from Nairobi and is adequately served by a tarmac airstrip that lies about one kilometer from Marsabit town center. The reserve is 2 hours by air from Nairobi.
Marsabit National Reserve is a remote paradise for nature lovers, the beautiful reserve is a refuge for huge tusked bull elephants, diverse birdlife and reptiles, hikes in the dense forest, wreathed in mist can be enjoyed along with camel rides, bird watching and visits to the singing wells. The reserve was made famous in the 1970’s when it was home to many elephants that were reputed to have the longest tusks in Africa, one of the old bulls was called Ahmed who was put under 24 hour surveillance by presidential decree, when he died he was found to have tusks weighing over 300 kg.
