Tourist Activities to Enjoy in Malka Mari National Park: Malka Mari National Park is situated along the Kenya-Ethiopia borderline along with River Daua. And it covers 1,500 square kilometers of semi-arid bushland and scrubby grassland which make for a Unique and Unforgettable Adventure. Malka Mari was established in 1989 as a National Park. It’s located in the extreme Northern region of the country within the Mandera plateau. Malka Mari’s climate is generally dry and hot and its landscape is greatly dominated by scrubby and semi-arid grassland, with palms and riparian woodland along the Daua River.
The Park is famously known for its variety of plants that are unique to the area and offer amazing habitat for the region. More so, this astonishing park is also home to a variety of animals like Somali giraffes, crocodiles, antelopes, hyenas, agama lizards, vultures, zebras, genets, and the dik-diks, as well as housing over 20 species of birds. However, this article presents to you some of the Tourist Activities to Enjoy while at Malka Mari National Park and they include;
Wildlife Viewing
Malka Mari National Park is a treasure trove of wildlife, making it an excellent spot for anyone looking to see animals in their natural habitat. You can take morning or afternoon drives in a comfy 4×4 vehicle, specially designed with pop-up windows for unobstructed views. During wildlife viewing tours, you might spot Lion, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena, Jackals, Leopard, reticulated giraffes, Oryx, lesser kudu, zebras, foxes’, Vultures, dik-diks, greater kudu, Impalas, Thompson Gazelles, waterbuck, agama lizards, Bobcats, genet, Moose, Coyotes, Bighorn sheep roam, gray wolves,
Hot Air Balloon Rides
For a truly memorable experience, consider taking a hot air balloon ride over the park. This activity offers a breathtaking perspective as you float high above the landscape, taking in the stunning scenery and spotting wildlife from the sky. Early morning flights give you a chance to see the sun rising while watching animals like hyenas returning to their dens after a night of hunting. This experience is particularly great for photographers looking to capture the beauty of the park from above.
Cultural Encounters
During your cultural encounter at Malka Mari, you will experience the unique African culture where you can learn about the traditions and lifestyles of the people who live here. You can even buy handmade crafts directly from local artisans, allowing you to take home a unique piece of Africa as a souvenir or gift for friends and family.
Guided Nature Walks and Hikes
If you’d like to get even closer to nature, guided nature walks and hikes are fantastic options. These excursions allow you to explore the park on foot, during this activity, you will see a number of crocodiles at Daua River and also visit Malka Mari fort.
Bird Watching
Malka Mari National Park is home to an amazing variety of bird species. During your birdwatching tours, you’ll have the chance to spot colorful bird species such as Shelley’s starling, Carmine bee-eater and African pygmy kingfisher, Magpie starling, White-throated bee-eater, wattled starling, Lilac-breasted roller, Common sandpiper, Heuglin’s bustard, and many others.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MALKA MARI NATIONAL PARK
Malka Mari National Park is visited throughout the year because it has semi-arid dry parts and dense bushes which provide good visibility to spot animals within the park. This remarkable Park is a safe area to visit with beautiful landscape and a variety of wild animal species, which is an excellent reason for tourists to make a point of visiting this sizable park.
ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES AT MALKA MARI NATIONAL PARK
Malka Mari National Park offers a wide range of accommodation facilities for group and individual travelers. These accommodations range from luxury, midrange and budget such as De L’Horloge, Al-Marwa Hotel and Galana Palace Hotel. Other accommodations in and around the Malka Mari National Park include Bush Camp Ol-Tome, Leopard Rock Inn, Murera Springs Eco-lodge, Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, Kitich Camp, Sarara Camp, Ikweta Safari Camp, Offbeat Meru Camp and Desert Rose Lodge among others
HOW TO ACCESS MALKA MARI NATIONAL PARK
Accessing Malka Mari National Park is quite easy, whether you choose to drive or fly
By Road
If you’re driving, you have two main roads to pick from. The first is the northern route starting in Isiolo and going through Moyale, close to the Ethiopian border. The second option is the eastern route that leads you past Sara Hill. This journey covers around 160 kilometers and will bring you to Banissa, a quaint village that has its own airstrip for those heading to the park.
By Air
For those who prefer to travel by air, you have several domestic airstrips to choose from. You can hop on a flight from Wilson Airport in Nairobi straight to the Banissa airstrip. There are also other nearby airstrips, such as Malka Mari, Takaba, Elwak, and the main airstrip in Mandera. These choices make it simple to experience the stunning scenery of Malka Mari National Park.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about tourist activities to enjoy in Malka Mari National Park and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa Tours who offer the best tour packages while you are in the country.
