Marsabit National Park

The Misty Oasis of the North

Rising majestically from the scorched plains of northern Kenya, Marsabit National Park is a lush, forested mountain paradise that defies its arid surroundings. The park features a densely wooded montane forest that cloaks the ancient volcanic slopes, concealing within it three beautiful crater lakes that provide sanctuary to an abundance of birdlife, mammals, and reptiles. While the lower plains are hot and dry, the upper reaches of Marsabit burst into a world of cool mist, green canopies, and tranquil blue waters – a landscape that feels almost enchanted.

Marsabit is perhaps best known as the home of Ahmed, the legendary elephant whose magnificent tusks earned him global fame. So revered was Ahmed that in 1970, President Jomo Kenyatta issued a presidential decree placing him under 24-hour armed protection to guard against poachers. He lived a long and peaceful life here until his passing at around 63 years of age. Today, a life-sized model of Ahmed stands proudly at the National Museum of Kenya in Nairobi, a timeless reminder of the park’s legacy in wildlife conservation.

The park’s hydrological systems are equally remarkable. The moss-covered cloud forests capture mist and rainfall, feeding underground aquifers and shallow wells that provide water to communities as far away as the Chalbi Desert. This natural water tower sustains both wildlife and human settlements in the broader Marsabit ecosystem.

Jointly managed under the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Marsabit complements other destinations in the Northern Safari Circuit, with connections via the A2 Highway and an airstrip that links travelers to South Island, Central Island, Sibiloi, Nasolot, and South Turkana National Parks through the Lake Turkana route.

Among its greatest natural treasures are the extinct volcanic craters, locally called gofs, which create a dramatic landscape of ridges, valleys, and hidden lakes. Gof Bongole, the largest of these craters, boasts a spectacular 10-kilometer rim, while Lake Paradise – a serene, emerald lake nestled within Gof Sokorte Guda’s 150-meter-deep caldera, has been featured in several nature films for its breathtaking beauty.

The park teems with wildlife, from giant tusked elephants and greater kudu to leopards, buffaloes, and countless species of birds. The area’s rich avifauna makes it a true haven for ornithologists, with over 350 bird species recorded. Reptiles, including various snakes and lizards, also thrive in this lush microclimate.

Visitors to Marsabit can immerse themselves in forest hikes through misty canopies, bird watching, camel rides, bush trekking, camping, or cultural visits to the Singing Wells — where local pastoralists rhythmically draw water for their livestock in age-old tradition. A stop at Lake Paradise and the Elephant Pool completes an unforgettable experience of Kenya’s hidden northern gem.

Marsabit National Park remains a place of contrasts; where desert meets forest, and myth meets life, a cool, green oasis rising from the red dust of the north, offering visitors peace, wonder, and a glimpse into Kenya’s enduring wild heart.