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Maralal is a frontier town, the beginning of the Great Northern wilderness and the staging post for many great adventures. This simple town is a thriving centre for the local Samburu people, and the streets are always busy with camels, passing warriors and traders.
Maralal is a frontier town, the beginning of the Great Northern
wilderness and the staging post for many great adventures. This simple
town is a thriving centre for the local Samburu people, and the streets
are always busy with camels, passing warriors and traders.
Beyond Maralal lies some of Kenya’s most beautiful country. Here the
broad arid plains give way to the spectacular Loroghi Hills and the
high, wild Matthews ranges. Dry river beds course through this land,
and have become the tracks and routes of nomadic camel trains. The wild
country between Maralal and Turkana is ideal for the adventure seeker.
Here in these vast empty spaces, there is freedom to explore and lose
yourself in the wild. Whether you want to take a truck to Turkana or a
camel through Samburu land, this is your starting point.
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Maralal is accessible from Nairobi via either Baringo or Isiolo, by
either bus/matatu or private transport. There is an airstrip servicing
charter aircraft. Driving time from Nairobi is approximately 6 hours. Accessing the North from Maralal can be difficult without private
transport. Maralal is a good base for organized safaris.
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Maralal has a range of accommodation to suit all budgets, tastes and interests. As you head further north, options lessen, but there are still many interesting accommodation alternatives.
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What to do in Maralal and Beyond.. |
Wildlife Safari
Trekking and travelling through the arid plains north of Maralal and through the valleys of the Matthews Ranges, you will often encounter game. Plains game, including Northern endemics such as Grevys Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe and Oryx are often seen. The riverine forests are good birding country, and in the late afternoon also excellent leopard territory.
The best time to see game is early morning and late afternoon. In the midday heat, most animals retreat to the cool of thick undergrowth and become invisible. Morning and afternoon game drives also allow you to witness the unforgettable African dawn and sunsets.
If you have a particular wildlife or birding interest, look for a Safari operator who can offer you specialized guiding and services to suit your needs.
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Read More
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Most of the lodges and camps in this area offer good meals. For those camping out under the stars, most safari companies provide an excellent camp cook, who can produce culinary wonders from a campfire. For campers wanting to cook for themselves, the best town for supplies are Maralal.
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Maralal 