Nantudu Rock

Unusual Attractions in Isiolo

Nantuudu Rock: The Samburu Spire Needle

Towering spire rocks are natural wonders that showcase the power of geological forces over time, resulting in some of the most awe-inspiring and iconic landmark landscapes on Earth. Although the exact whereabouts of Nantudu Rock are hard to pinpoint going by the scanty information available, this unusually tall, slender rock formation, rising sharply from the ground and reaching an impressive height, is made all impressive by the meandering Ewaso Nyiro River in proximity. What is certain is that the Nantudu Rock is found within the vast Oldonyiro Conservancy.

Certainly, there is something very powerful and alluring about a rock formation – strong, mysterious and seemingly untouchable. This one too commands attention. The sentinel and exceptionally lofty rocks called Nantudu, translating as needle in Samburu, makes you feel like you’ve reached an ethereal beacon. This slender spire is a result of millions of years of erosion and uplift. Uniquely, it stands alone, or is not part of a larger cluster of spires. In spite of its charm, it is tricky to get to, off the beaten path, making it an unusual attraction that’s unsurprisingly unknown.


Around Kenya are a selection of natural landmarks, cultural shrines, architectural oddities, and technological installations that offer incredible, almost surreal experiences that can make you feel as if you’ve stepped into another world. Hauntingly beautiful to some, eerie sights for others, and still, for others, down right strange, these site provide unique experiences for adventurous travelers.


Isiolo County, with its strategic location, rich cultural heritage, and potential for development, is a unique region in Kenya. It features a mix of semi-arid and arid landscapes, with some areas of savannah and bushland, and home to several wildlife reserves and conservancies, including the Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Shaba National Reserve and the famed Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

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Isiolo is almost always hot and dry at most months of year, with a mean of 30oC, and two rainy seasons. The rainfall received is historically erratic, scarce and unreliable.

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