Marsabit is the 2nd largest county after Turkana in Land mass. It measures 66,923 square kilometres.
To put the area in perspective; Former Central province, home to 5 counties of Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang’a, Nyandarua and Kiambu measures 11,449 km²
Marsabit county, land mass is equivalent to 6 portions of the former central province.
History of Marsabit
Marsabit town is the headquarter and administrative capital of Marsabit County.
Marsabit town in Saku constituency is one of the arable places in the county with red soil and adequate rainfall to support crop farming.
The town was named after a Burji farmer named Marsa, who moved to Marsabit after being encouraged by the British colonialists in early 1900s.
The name is loosely translated as Marsas Home from Amharic/Amara (official language spoken in Ethiopia also understood to the Burji then) sentence Marsa bet.
To date Burji people pronounce the name Marsabit as Marsa-bet.
Attractive Sites in Marsabit
Given its immense land mass, it follows that Marsabit has the most varied topography and with over 14 tribes living in the county resulting to a mosaic of culture that has remained untainted for 100s of years.
Moille Hill
Moile hill is located a few miles from Laisamis town, in Marsabit county. The Rendille people believe there are times it tremors at night They offer goat sacrifices, near lagga/raga (pathways for flash floods) to stop it from erupting
Laga
Through out Marsabit are are dried river beds which act as pathways for flashfloods. Sometimes it can rain in Samburu, 200 KMs away only for flashfloods to find their way on these water beds. It’s not your choice place for afternoon Siestas. As there is a likelihood the flash floods would sweep one off to the races.
Ngurunit, Marsabit/Samburu Border
This is one of the most beautiful Oasis.. sorrounded by Ndoto mountains and Matthew ranges..
If you would love to get away from urban civilization. Ngurunit is the choice place to be! Serenity, calmness and richness of freash air abounds.
Sometimes there is no cell network, and as of this writing there is no electricity or tv, providing you with the best opportunity to appreciate nature.
Beautiful sceneries, natural swimming pools, breathtaking hiking trails, the Samburu and Rendille culture will be a highlight to your trip.
When people post memes of unpluging from the city grid.. then this is the perfect place to recenter yourself back to your true North.
Lake Turkana Wind Power Project
The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project – the wind turbines are scattered over a span of 40,000 acres of land. The land is rocky, windy and desolate
Lake Turkana
Lake Turkana is the world’s largest permanent desert lake and the world’s largest alkaline lake. It has two isalnds, the southern and central Islands.
The Islands are one of the worlds most populated breeding grounds for crocodiles.
The outline shores are welcoming for a swim. To dip in the cool waters in otherwise warm and humid weather at Loiyangalani.
Mount Kulal
Mount Kulal is an eroded-down extinct volcano located in Marsabit, 50KM from Loiyangalani, the Eastern Shoreline of Lake Turkana
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Mount Kulal: A Man and the Biosphere (MAB) reserve in 1979.
A biosphere reserve, is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or other special interest. Which is reserved and managed for purposes of conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research.
WP
Most people know of Hell’s Gate in Naivasha as the only Canyon in Kenya. Until now, you can now visit a UNESCO recognised Canyon and Biosphere in the name of Mount Kulal.
Koobi Fora Desert Museum, First Homo Habilis
The ‘Crandle of mankind’ or the birthplace of Humankind. These are terms that African nations try to appropriate in their respective cultures. This goes for, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia
You’ll be glad to learn that the true Crandle of Mankind is in Kenya. At the Koobi Fora, after 1979 when Dr. Richard Leakey’s presented his discovery of ‘1470’ a 2 million year old skull of Homo Habilis.
Koobi Fora is part of the larger Sibiloi National Park. Where one can observer teeming wildlife from reptiles, to avians and large mammals.
In the museum you can also see mainly extinct fossils like the crocodile, giraffe and tortoise. These fossils are at least four times larger than today’s.
Chalbi Desert
Kenya has two deserts, Nyika/Taru desert in the East of Lake Magadi in Kenya’s South and Chalbi Desert in Kenya’s North.
It’s the Chalbi desert and its attractive sand dunes that gives the thrill of a desert safari.
At the periphery of Chalbi Desert is Kalacha Oasis. The oasis abounds with doum palms and acacia trees. These offer a haven from the hot and intense sun
Marsabit National Park & Reserve
a densely forested mountain and three crater lakes provide a haven for a variety of birdlife, mammals and reptiles. The beautiful Marsabit National Park 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.
KWS
An exhaustive tour of Marsabit County requires at least 14 days to enjoy all adventures and experience local culture, multiple trips of 2 to 5 days can also work – instead of the usual suspects of holidays; Masai mara, Amboseli and Mombasa. It’s the high time to refresh your gallery and Visit Kenya’s North.