Marsabit National Park

Marsabit mountain is a volcanic massif that catches enough moisture from the surrounding desert air to hold cloud forest on its upper slopes, a green island in a hard brown landscape, and the park protects that forest and its craters. The best known is Gof Sokorte Guda, called Lake Paradise, a crater with a lake at the bottom ringed by forest, where elephants and buffalo come down to drink and which drew early travellers and film-makers. The forest holds greater kudu, leopard, hyena and a rich bird list, and Marsabit was once famous for elephants with exceptionally long tusks, the best known being Ahmed, who was given round-the-clock protection by presidential decree in the 1970s and whose reconstructed remains stand in the Nairobi museum. Mist and rain are common on the mountain even when the desert below is dry.

What you actually see

• Lake Paradise crater - the forest-ringed crater lake with drinking wildlife.
• Cloud forest - green woodland surrounded by desert.
• Greater kudu and elephant - the park's main large mammals.
• The desert contrast - the change from brown plains to green mountain.

When to go

Dry seasons for the tracks, though the mountain generates its own weather and mist is frequent at any time. Early morning at the crater rim gives the best chance of animals at the water. Nights are cold and damp.

Honest expectations

The forest is dense and wildlife viewing is difficult compared with open parks; expect atmosphere rather than sightings. Tracks are rough and 4x4 essential. Facilities are limited to a campsite and basic lodging in town. Travel arrangements in the far north should be checked locally before setting out.

Nearby

The Chalbi desert lies west; Mount Kulal is beyond it near Lake Turkana.