Off the Beaten Path - Nasolot National Reserve

Nasolot National Reserve was gazetted in 1979 and consists 9,200 hectares of beautifully rugged land. It is located to the north of Mount Melo at over 3,000 metres. There are some spectacular views to be had, although most of the reserve is plains. Because of its remote location there are few visitors. It  ranges in altitude from 750-1500 m, and the boundary to the east is the seasonal Weiwei River. 

The habitat is predominantly thicket and dry bushland, with many succulents and acacias bordering the seasonal streams and rivers that criss-cross the reserve. There are elephants in the reserve but they are well camouflaged by the flora. Other mammals include the greater and lesser kudu, warthog and bushbuck. The birdlife is rich and varied and includes the white-crested turacos, Abyssinian ground hornbills, superb starlings and Abyssinian rollers. 

A good road bisects the reserve and leads to the Turkwell Dam, a hydroelectric dam at the head of a gorge harnessing the waters of the Turkwell River. The dammed waters have formed a large artificial lake that stretches westwards between the hills, home to a large variety of birdlife. 

 

There are no formal camping facilities at Nasolot, though camping is permitted virtually anywhere in the reserve. Its positioned to the north of Mount Melo. There are several magnificent vistas available, though many of the reserve are actually plains.

Climatic conditions are hot and arid.The reserve is actually 146 km north of Kitale towards the west of the A1 Kitale-Lodwar road. The reserve’s entrance lies 6.2 km down the A1 main road. There are air strips at Turkwell dam and Kaputirr.

Major Attractions - Rocky out crop at the periphery of the reserve called Nasolot Hill; game viewing.

Wildlife - Elephant, lesser kudu, bushbuck, duiker, lion, leopard, Kirk’s dik-dik, spotted hyena, jackal, impala, Sykes’ monkey, beisa and fringe-eared oryx, waterbuck, olive baboon, buffalo, gazelle and hippo.

Accommodation - There are no accommodation options in the reserve. However self-catering accommodation and a campsite is available at the Marich Pass Field Studies Centre located 80 km south of the reserve off the A1 Kitale- Lodwar road.

Best time to visit - All year round

Activities - Game viewing, bird watching, sport fishing and boating aturkwell dam, nature walks  camping.