The vast 9,200 hectares of Nasolot National Reserve, elevated between 500 and 1500 metres on the Great Rift Valley, offer a unique and remote wilderness experience in the north of Mount Melo. The reserve is roughly 146 km north of Kitale and presents a rugged landscape dominated by the rocky ridges and expansive plains of Nasolot Hill.
African elephants, greater and lesser kudu, antelopes, bushbucks, waterbucks, duikers, buffaloes, gazelles, hippos, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and several primate species, including syke’s monkeys, can all be found in the reserve. The reserve’s rocky protrusion, Nasolot Hill, enhances its allure. Aside from other avifauna, birdwatchers will enjoy seeing Abyssinian ground hornbills, Abyssinian rollers, white-crested turacos, and superb starlings.
Tourist Attractions of Nasolot National Reserve
Due to the great beauty and ruggedness of Nasolot National Reserve, as well as its peaceful and remote location with few visitors, its Kenya safari attractions are still unspoiled and wild.
One of the most popular Kenya safari tourist destinations in Nasolot National Reserve is Nasolot peak, a rocky outcrop that forms the reserve’s perimeter and offers a picturesque perspective of the entire area. The name of the reserve comes from this peak.
wildlife
The short savannah plains and forest galleries that dot the reserve are home to a plethora of thriving animal species, including African elephant, greater and lesser kudu, bushbuck, duiker, lion, leopard, Kirk’s dik-dik, spotted hyena, jackal, impala, Sykes monkey, beisa and fringe-eared oryx, waterbuck, olive baboon, buffalo, gazelle, and hippopotamus, among many others.
Aside from its natural features, the Nasolot National Reserve is home to a diverse range of avian inhabitants. These include small egrets, secretary birds, African sacred ibis, Eurasian Wigeon, African black ducks, tufted ducks, Yellow-billed ducks, common teal, comb ducks, rock doves, speckled pigeons, plain nightjars, and numerous other bird species. The best times to go bird watching are in the morning and evening to see a wide diversity of bird species. Bird watching tours involve exploring most of the park’s areas in search of birds.
Discover the Kenya safari attractions in Nasolot National Reserve by going on game drives in the morning and evening, taking nature walks that take you to every part of the reserve, and engaging in other activities like boating, sport fishing, and camping to get the most out of this untamed National Reserve.
How to get to Nasolot National Reserve
There are two ways to get to Nasolot National Reserve: by air and by road. The easiest and quickest method is to use air transportation. Nasolot National Reserve is situated 528 km northwest of Nairobi and 146 km north of Kitale, towards the west of the A1 Kitale-Lodwar road.
By Road
The A1 main road can be used as a route from Nairobi to the A104 Kitale-Lodwar, which is located west of the National Reserve and 146 kilometres north of Kitale. It takes 10 hours to drive from Nairobi to the National Reserve. Visitors can easily access the reserve by ground transportation in a 4×4 customised vehicle. It takes seven hours to drive from Nakuru town to reach the Nasolot National Reserve via the Nakuru – sigor B4, another route that connects to the major A104 road. Although it requires a lengthy day of travelling, road transport is the least expensive option for getting to Nasolot National Reserve.
By Air
Air travel is an additional option for visiting the reserve; regularly scheduled charter flights are offered to and from the airstrips located inside the National Reserve. Two airstrips are available nearby for fly-in safaris: one at Turkwel Dam and the other at Kaputirr. Another option is to arrange a private charter from any other park that connects the Nasolot National Reserve. Alternatively, you can arrange a private charter from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi’s main transportation hub, to Kitale or Lodwar Airports, and then drive or take a private charter to the reserve.
Usually, Safari Link operates flights into Kitale or Lodwar airports, and it has numerous Safari Link is the airline that operates the majority of the flights into Kitale. These flights are the most frequently scheduled and most of them leave from Nairobi.
Things to do in Nasolot National Reserve
Game Viewing
The main Kenya safari draw for tourists visiting Nasolot National Reserve is the game viewing safari, which involves driving through the reserve’s plains and viewing various animals grazing and strolling around from the comfort of your car. Since there is very little to no tourist traffic in the reserve, you may be able to see the Big Five, with the exception of the rhinoceros, as well as many other wild species that roam the area, including elephants, lesser kudu, bushbuck, duiker, lion, leopard, Kirk’s dik-diks, spotted hyena, jackal, impala, beisa and fringe-eared Oryx, waterbuck, olive baboon, buffalo, gazelle, and hippopotamus found in the waters of the River Turkwel.
Bird watching
One of Kenya’s most important locations for bird viewing is Nasolot National Reserve. Birding excursions here will provide you with an interesting experience; while on an adventure, keep an eye out to spot a broad variety of bird species. The optimum times to go bird watching are in the morning and evening to see a wide diversity of bird species. The bird watching experience comprises visiting most of the reserve’s parts in Search for birds.
Nature walks
Nature walks are another way to explore the environment and wildlife of the Nasolot National Reserve in greater detail. These bushwalks will reward you with breathtaking views of the Nasolot hills and opportunities to see a variety of wildlife, including small primates like monkeys, baboons, insects, and reptiles.
Spot Fishing
When visiting this reserve, sport fishing at Turkwel Dam combined is the most thrilling kenya safari activity. You can also add camping to your kenya safari tours adventure activities to make it truly unique.
Boat rides in River Turkwel
Enjoy the calm, quiet, and breeze-filled experience of a boat ride on the Turkwel River, which flows through the Nasolot National Reserve. This will help you escape the hot weather you’ll encounter while engaging in other Kenya safari activities there.
Camping
Camping is one way to enjoy nature from your tent, and Nasolot National Reserve offers camping experiences to visitors who love learning more about an activity. Another kind of tourism in the Nasolot National Reserve is camping, which is available at the Marich Pass Field Studies Centre campsite, which is 80 km south of the reserve and accessible by the A1 Kitale–Lodwar road.
