Natural Landmarks in Samburu
Loroghi Plateau: The Gatepost of Maralal
Driving out to Lake Turkana through Samburu County is an experience often sold short. Straight through the middle of outback Kenya. Most people make Ngurunit 198 km north of Archer’s Post their jumping-off place. It is a great drive on a good road to Ngurunit, with ever-changing scenery. The other option, from Malaral, is more involving and daunting; distance to Loiyangalani 233 km. This unpaved road to the lake, while not the roughest in these neck of the woods, does take its toll.
From the modest Maralal town you start on the top of the Loroghi Plateau with views to the valleys on either side, before you begin the descent. More often than not you’ll see odd groups of camels and the usual cattle and goats. The views at the top of the final descent to the plains is breathtaking, wide with broad vistas below. As you cross the plain you’ll see tree-studded grasslands that eventually turn drier and the vegetation turns from green to brown. In under just 40 km you arrive at Masalo (Losiolo) Viewpoint, one the most stunning viewpoint in Kenya.
The topography of the North Rift Region of Kenya is dominated by the East African Rift Valley, which in the west is bound by the Elgeyo Escarpment rising to 3,000 ms. Tugen Hills, rising to over 2,500ms, lie between Elgeyo Escarpment and the floor of the Rift Valley and effectively form the west wall. Further north the Tiati Hills and Loriu Plateau separate the Rift Valley from the western escarpment. In the east the Rift Valley is bounded by the Laikipia Escarpment at around 2,250 ms that gives way northeasterly in the southern area of Samburu to Loroghi Plateau.
Reaching a throw elevation of about 200 ms above the surrounding landscape, Loroghi Plateau is rather unmissable about these vast open plains. The southern quarter of Samburu County is bordered to the north by Maralal town and Loroghi Plateau, to the west by the Rift escarpment, and to the east by the western slopes of the Milgis river sub-basin. The more popular mid area, which is more famous, is dominated by outstanding mountains, ridges and hills, the most notable of these being Mount Ololokwe, the Mathews Range, Ndoto Mountains, and Mount Nyiru
Kenya is blessed with a diverse range of natural landmarks, showcasing the country’s stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity. These natural landmarks represent Kenya’s breathtaking beauty and ecological diversity, making it a top destination for safari adventures, outdoor, and wilderness exploration.
Index of Natural Landmarks Around Kenya
Baringo County - Paka Volcano, Metkei Ridge, Tugen (Kamasia) Hills, Silale Crater, Bomet County - Motigo Hill, Bungoma County - Kabuchai Hills, Luucho Hills, Busia County - Samia Hills, Namenya Hill, Namenya Hill, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Kerio Valley, Elgeyo Escarpment, Mektei Ridge, Cherangani Hills, Embu County - Karue Hill, Kianjiru Hill, Mumoni Hill, Garissa County - Merti Plain, Homa Bay County - Asego & Kasarua Hills, Ruri Hills, Gembe Hills, The Gwassi Hills, Kanyamwa Escarpment, Isiolo County - Merti Plateau, Nyambene Range, Mlima Tatu Kula Mawe, Kajiado County - Ngong Hills, Mount Suswa, Ol Doinyo Orok, Chyulu Hills, Kericho County - Tinderet Mountain, Kiambu County - Kijabe Hills, Kilifi County - Marafa Gorge, Kisumu County - Kajulu Hills, Kitui County - Yatta Plateau, Laikipia County - Laikipia Plateau, Makueni County - Nzaui Range, Mandera County - Dandu Hills, Marsabit County - Mount Nyiru, Nabuyatom Cone, Mount Kulal, Mount Marsabit, Hurri Hills, Sololo Escarpment, Mount Forore, Meru County - Kierra Ridge, Mount Kenya, Nakuru County - Mount Longonot, Eburru Mountains, Menengai Crater, Nandi County - Nandi Hills, Nyando Escarpment, Kamulat Hill, Nandi Scarp, Narok County - Nguruman, Loita Hills, Siria Ridge, Nyamira County - Kibugat Hill, Emanga Hills, Kiabonyoru Hill, Nkoora Hill, Nyandarua County - Aberdare Range, Mount Kipipiri, Samburu County - Scared Mount Ololokwe, Ndoto Mountain Range, Mathews Range, Mount Nyiru, Samburu Hills, Loroghi Plateau, Siaya County - Got Ramogi, Taita Taveta County - Taita (Range) Hills, Mount Sagalla, Ngulia Hills, Mount Kasigau, Tharaka Nithi County - Kijegge Range, Turkana County - Mogila Hills, Loima Hills, Vihiga County - Bunyore Hills, Maragoli Hills, Wajir County - Mansa Guda Range, Malabar Hill, West Pokot County - Mount Murpus, Koh Hill, Sekerr Range
Samburu County, in northern Kenya, offers stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique wildlife. Known for its stunning mountains, hills, remote wilderness, traditional Samburu culture, and less-visited national reserves, the county provides an authentic experience away from the popular safari circuit.
You Are Here: Loroghi Plateau
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations Nearby Loroghi Plateau
A Guide to Samburu County
A Summa Digest of Samburu
About Samburu Way Back When
50 Destinations in Samburu County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, west then south - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shaba National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Ashnil Samburu Camp, Archer's Post, Chanler’s Falls, Umoja Cultural Village, Nashipa Eco Camp, Lion's Cave Camp, Samburu National Reserve, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Samburu Intrepids Camp, Ewaso Lions, Kalama Conservancy, Saruni Samburu Lodge, Westgate Conservancy, Rhodia Mann Museum, Meibai Conservancy, Mount Ololokwe, Namunyak Community Conservancy, Sarara Camp, Singing Wells, Reteti Sanctuary, Mathews Range, Kitich Camp, Sera Conservancy, Saruni Rhino Camp, Ndoto Mountains, Mlima Tatu, Ngurunit, Ngurunit Rock Pools, Camp Ndotto, Mount Nyiru, Desert Rose, El Barta, Samburu Hills, Baragoi Deanery, Nachola Site, Napong Hills, Losiolo Escarpment, Emuruangogolak, Kirisia Forest, Ngari Hill Lodge, Maralal Safari Lodge, Yale Camp, Maralal Camel Derby, Kenyatta House Maralal, Loroghi Plateau, Engare Narok Sanctuary, Lake Mbaringon
Know More About Samburu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Air Like In Samburu?
Samburu is almost always hot! The driest months are January and February. The mean annual temperature is 29oC, with fast blowing winds especially on the lowlands. Rain is temporal and erratic.
What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.25?
Over 80% of Samburu lies within the fragile arid to semi-arid ecological vast block of Kenya. Altitude, excepting the ranges and mountains, varies from 2040 ms to 600 ms asl.