Lake Paradise in Marsabit National Park : Situated around 10 km from the park’s Ahmed entrance and the town of Marsabit, this is one of the most breathtaking lakes in all of Marsabit National Park. It is situated on the slopes of Mount Marsabit in northern Kenya. Maar Lake, to be more precise, is the second largest of the three crater lakes in Marsabit National Park.
It is located inside “Gof Sokorte Guda,” which is reportedly the Borana phrase for “Big Sweet Water Crater” in the area.
American travellers Martin and Osa Johnson named it “paradise. A smaller but comparable lake can be found nearby in the “Small Sweet Water Crater,” also known as “Gof Sokorte Dika,” which is a well-liked hangout for elephants and other wildlife.
When combined, the two make up some of the greatest spots to see wildlife since, like the rest of the park, they are covered in dense forest, which is especially useful on hot, sunny days when a lot of wildlife congregates to drink water. The surrounding terrain is greatly influenced by the weather, turning golden during dry spells and lush green during rainy ones.
Kenya safari Tourist attractions in the area include Lake Paradise, which draws game species including buffalo and elephants, and Bongole Crater, which is situated in the middle of the forest.
Where to do at Lake Paradise
Many adventurous activities are available for vacationers, including camping, hiking, game viewing, picnics, game drives, and 4×4 excursions in the wet season. Elephants, some of which have huge tusks, buffalo, giraffes, rhinos, Grevy’s zebras, and a variety of water birds are among the animals you could encounter here.
To ensure your safety throughout your visit and stay, certain activities like hiking and camping may require an accompaniment from a Kenya Wildlife Service ranger.
Activities to do at Marsabit National Park
Numerous species of birds, animals, and reptiles can be found in a sanctuary created by three crater lakes and a heavily forested mountain located far to the north of Kenya. This little park, which is tucked away on the top slopes of Mount Marsabit, is covered in dense forest and is home to a diverse array of animals, such as buffaloes, elephants (some of which have enormous tusks), and leopards. It is quite tough to observe wildlife in the dense forest, but luckily there are a few natural clearings with semi-permanent lakes nearby, where you can nearly ensure to see some species.
You will be rewarded for your trip to Marsabit National Park with an incredible journey and some unforgettable experiences like;
Game Viewing
In the park, one can go game viewing and occasionally spot a variety of wildlife. The park is home to a diverse range of species, including Grevy’s zebras, lions, leopards, buffalos, bushbucks, several bigger and lesser kudus, Grant’s gazelles, and several other small antelopes. It is also well-known for having elephants that can lift enormous loads. There are populations of olive baboons, vervet monkeys, Peter’s gazelles, beisa oryxes, striped hyenas, caracals, and aardwolves in the park’s lower slopes, which are distinguished by scrubland. The park is well-known for Ahmed, the elephant who was granted round-the-clock security monitoring in the 1970s by presidential decree, proving Kenya’s dedication to protecting wildlife. The park gained notoriety in the 1970s for allegedly housing elephants with the largest tusks in the world. After Ahmed, an elephant under continual observation, passed away, it was discovered that his tusks weighed more than 300 kg. Blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus are also frequently sighted.
Birdwatching safari
There are many different bird species to be seen in the deep forest and surrounding crater lakes. After enjoying a fantastic nature walk and seeing a variety of bird species, head to Crater Lake to increase your tally of species seen while searching for the flying one in the forest. There are about 350 different bird species in the park, 52 of which are predatory birds. Many different species of birds can be found on the cliffs of Golf Sokorte Gurda’s northern end of Lake Paradise. These include African fish eagles, peregrine falcons, mountain buzzards, black kites, and Ruppell’s griffon vultures. There are ibises, purple herons, red-knobbed coots, hamerkops, yellow-billed storks, and garganeys, southern pochards, and teals on the lake.
Visit the singing Wells
Visit the “singing wells,” where the residents sing a variety of unique songs while their livestock draws water from the well. This will provide you with an amazing experience, as you can watch the pastoralists in the area get water for their animals while listening to wonderful melodies.
Camel safaris
One of the best ways to see a place is to go on a guided camel safari into the nearby plains, led by the local indigenous population. Your guide will accompany you on the camel and tell you incredible tales about this amazing place.
Visit lake Paradise
Situated around 10 km from the park’s Ahmed entrance and the town of Marsabit, this is one of the most breathtaking lakes in all of Marsabit National Park. It is situated on the slopes of Mount Marsabit in northern Kenya.
A smaller but comparable lake can be found nearby in the “Small Sweet Water Crater,” also known as “Golf Sokorte Dika,” which is a well-liked hangout for elephants and other wildlife.
Both of these locations are among the greatest for seeing wildlife together because, like the rest of the park, they are shrouded in dense forest, which is especially beneficial on hot, sunny days when a lot of species congregates to drink water.
The surrounding terrain is greatly influenced by the weather, turning golden during dry spells and lush green during rainy ones. Here, a variety of bird species are also observed.
Visit Bongole Crater
The crater(s) known as Gof Bongole are situated in Eastern Kenya. It is estimated that the terrain is 845 metres above sea level. Balesa Bongole is to the south of Golf Bongole. The crater’s 2.5 km diameter was created by the interaction of subterranean water with magma. There is a lake on the crater bottom, and depending on the amount of rainfall, its volume changes. During the wet season, the vegetation alters, going from green mash to dry beds. When it’s dry, a lot of wildlife may be seen visiting the crater to feed on the grasses, drink water, and leak salty soils. This makes the crater an excellent place to view animals.
Mountain Climbing
Climbing routes on the strikingly bare Ol Olokwe peak, south of Marsabit, are good. It is necessary to have ropes and equipment as well as a guide with solid local knowledge.
Nature walks
Walking is an excellent way to explore Marsabit, and there are several of worthwhile hikes available from the town. Many intriguing local attractions, such as some striking volcanic craters, are easily accessible on foot. A group of Borana wells are located not far from Marsabit. Cattle herds are hydrated by these deep wells. Because each well is so deep, multiple men must enter it to raise water for the waiting animals using a chain of buckets. These wells are widespread in this region and are essential to the Borana people’s survival.
Cultural tours
As you explore the stunning scenery, stop by the nearby towns for a tour of their farms, engage in conversation with the locals, go grazing, and take in a fantastic interactive cultural guide. To add some cultural flair to your night time stay, you might as well schedule a show at your hotel.
