MALKA MARI NATIONAL PARK-KENYA

Overview

Malka Mari National Park of Kenya was designated in 1989 along the Daua river in Kenya‘s eastern province on the Kenya-Ethiopia border near Mandera town in Mandera district. Malka Mari National Park in Kenya is approximately 1,500 square kilometers (370,000 acres) in size. Malka Mari National Park-Kenya is a semi-arid bushland and scrubby grassland with riparian woodland and along Daua River. The Daua river is in the extreme north-eastern part of the country on the Mandera plateau. The climate in Malka Mari National Park-Kenya is hot and dry, implying that the scrubby and semi-arid grassland is dominant in the park. The Daua River is surrounded by palms and riparian woodland. Malka Mari is a IUCN Category II park.

Malka Mari National Park in Kenya has no permanent human settlements because of the very arid and inhospitable climate of the region. The common inhabitants of the park are nomadic herders of the Gurreh community, though they are few in number and mostly spread over a wide region. Karache Urane is located at the southern end of Malka Mari National Park-Kenya. The Southern part on the other hand hosts the Awara Plains. The boundary of the park to the north terminates on the Kenya-Ethiopia border. It is perhaps the most remote of Kenya`s national parks. However, Tourism in Malka Mari National Park has not been developed.

Access is mainly via Mandera Airstrip. However, the best description of how to get there has to be from Enchanted landscapes. Please take note, reaching Malka Mari National Park by road is uneasy and long. First, take the A2 Northern Road to Isiolo (paved) and onward to Moyale on the Ethiopian border. From Moyale, the D504 winds east through the Sara and Yabdu Hills for approximately 160 Km before arriving at the semi-permanent village of Banissa where there is an airstrip. From Banissa, a track leads north-east into Malka Mari.

In the city of Mombasa, the park can be reached by road from the city center at 10km, and then connected by boat from the Mombasa Beach. Then access to the Malka Mari National Park from nearest place from wajir.

NOTE: Considering the long distances and poor road conditions in the north-east of the country, it is best to consider chartering a plane and flying into either Banissa airstrip or to the small airstrip located in the Park itself.

Wildlife

Malika Mari National Park in Kenya has plenty of Somali giraffe, crocuta alias the laughing spotted Hyena, Dik-Diks, Agama Lizards, Antelopes, vultures, Genet, common Zebra a Bears, Moose, Coyotes, Bobcats, Gray Wolf, Mountain Lions, Bighorn Sheep, American Bison, and Nile crocodiles of Daua River.

Scenery

Physical features like the Malka Mari fort, valleys, Daua river and hills provide beautiful and attractive scenery, a worthwhile experience for tourists and visitors. There are also a few history relics here as well that may tickle your fancy such as the Malka Mari Fort which is worth a visit. Malka Mari fort is a perfect place for star-gazing as the skies are mostly clear at night with a brilliant display of stars.

Culture

You will get a chance to interact with the Gurreh nomadic herders though they are very few and scattered.

Accommodation in and around Malka Mari National Park-Kenya

Malka Mali National Park in Kenya is not yet developed for tourism. Camping could be the most viable option there.