Malka Mari National Park is located on the northeastern border of Kenya and Ethiopia, along the Daua River on the Mandera Plateau, which is covered with hills and valleys. It is considered one of the most remote national parks in Kenya, yet it offers a very rewarding adventure experience.
Malka Mari National Park covers 1,500 square kilometers and features diverse wildlife, dramatic landscapes, historic sites, and a variety of vegetation including palms along the Daua River, grasslands, semi-arid bushland, and riparian woodlands.
Malka Mari National Park was established in 1989 and is characterized by a hot and dry climate almost throughout the year. It was gazetted due to its high concentration of wildlife, while the surrounding areas are inhabited by Gureh nomadic herders, resulting in very scarce human settlement due to the climatic conditions.
Activities
There are various tourists’ activities to be done at the park, some of which can be seen as below:
Game viewing
Malka Mari National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including Dik Diks, spotted hyenas, antelopes, zebras, genets, Nile crocodiles found at the Daua River, gazelles, and giraffes.
Hot air ballooning
For better spectacular views of wildlife, tourists can opt for a balloon Kenya safari this normally takes place in the morning hours it’s rewarding as you see hyenas returning back to their dens after grazing, and it’s also a good opportunity for taking photos.
Cultural experience
Experience the unique African culture by visiting the people and acquiring some unique handmade crafts to take back home for remembrance or for your loved ones.
Guided nature walks
Hiking
View crocodiles at the Daua river
Visit Malka Mari fort
Getting to Malka Mari National Park can be extremely difficult, as it’s very far and remote. By road, tourists will need to get to Isiolo; from Isiolo to Moyale, and from Moyale, pass through the Yaa and Sat Hills to Banissa, where the park’s airstrip is located. The other route passed through majir and has got two main routes to reach there
For tourists looking for luxury and not interested in long, rough journeys, they can visit the park by accessing it through banissa airstrips or an airstrip situated within the park.
The park can be visited throughout the year, as it’s semiarid and dry with bushes that are not thick, making it easy to view wildlife.
There are also varieties of places to stay Sunday such as De L Horloge among others
