Marsabit National Park

A Remote Paradise for Nature Lovers

Marsabit National Park features a densely 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 the most famous elephant named Ahmed was his home until he died at an estimated age of 63 years. The patriarch, Ahmed was highly guarded and accorded round the clock protection from poachers by a presidential decree. 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.

Attractions & Activities

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.