Nasolot National Reserve

Size and Location

• Nasolot National Reserve covers an area of approximately 92 square kilometres ( or 35.5 square miles).
• The National Reserve is located in West Pokot County, Rift Valley Province, Kenya. Nasolot Reserve is approximately 146 kilometers (91 miles) north of Kitale town.
• The reserve is situated to the north of Mount Melo in the West Pokot District.

Landscape and Access

• Nasolot National Reserve was gazetted as a national reserve in 1979.
• The terrain includes rugged landscapes characterized by Nasolot Hill, rocky ridges, expansive plains.
• The national reserve is situated at over 3,000 meters above sea level.
• Nasolot is known for its hot and arid climatic conditions.
• Accessibility to Nasolot Reserve is somewhat limited due to its remote location, leading to fewer visitors compared to other Kenyan parks.

Wildlife and Biodiversity

• The reserve is home to a diverse range of fauna, including African elephants, lesser and greater kudus, bushbucks, duikers, lions, leopards, Kirk's dik-diks, spotted hyenas, jackals, impalas, Sykes' monkeys, beisa and fringe-eared oryxes, waterbucks, olive baboons, buffaloes, gazelles, and hippopotamuses.
• Bird species at Nasolot National Reserve include the little egret, secretary bird, African sacred ibis, Eurasian Wigeon, African black duck, tufted duck, Yellow-billed duck, common teal, comb duck, rock dove, speckled pigeon, plain nightjar, Abyssinian ground hornbills, Abyssinian rollers, white-crested turacos, superb starlings, and others, highlighting the area's rich biodiversity.
• The reserve provides a habitat for various plant and animal species, contributing to the region's biodiversity.

Activities and Amenities

• Activities available for local and international visitors include game viewing, bird watching, sport fishing, boating at Turkwel Dam, guided nature walks, and camping.
• The nearby Turkwel Dam offers opportunities for sport fishing and sometimes boat rides.
• Although there are no accommodation options within the reserve, self-catering accommodation and a campsite are available at the Marich Pass Field Studies Centre, located 80 km south of the reserve off the A1 Kitale-Lodwar road.

Additional Points of Interest

• Nasolot Hill is a prominent feature within the reserve, offering scenic views and lending its name to the park.
• The Turkwel River traverses the reserve, providing a vital water source for the wildlife.
• Its remote location offers a unique opportunity for visitors to experience a secluded wilderness area, making it a less crowded destination compared to other Kenyan parks.

How to Access Nasolot National Reserve

• Visitors can access the reserve by road, with the entrance lying 6.2 km from the A1 main road.
• Air transport is available, with domestic flights from Nairobi flying to Turkwel Dam and Kaputirr airstrips within the reserve.