National Parks & Reserves in West Pokot
Nasolot National Reserve: A Pretty Outback
Famous for its association with Turkwel Dam and the conspicuous Nasolot Hill, Nasolot National Reserve offers scenic landscapes and a variety of wildlife. It’s real and perceived isolation offers the element of surprise, magnificent rugged rocky terrain and opportunities for outdoor adventure, making it a bucket list destinations for travelers and nature enthusiasts who like roads less travelled.
As you cross the peripheral region between Marich Pass and Kainuk town, the bulk of the lofty Cherangani Hills form fine views fading away west as the road gradually deeps to the vast semi-arid lowlands. Past the exit to Sekerr Range, the drive to Nasolot National Reserve and Kainuk is fascinating as the mountains suddenly give way to shrubland. At Kainuk-Turkwel Junction, just 15 km from Marich, the road to the left leads to Nasolot and the other proceeds to Kainuk.
On the short 10 km stretch from Kainuk-Turkwel Junction to Nasolot National Reserve the road runs parallel to the Turkwel River. The 92 km2 Nasolot National Reserve is typified by sweeping bush and shrubland with only the upper reaches of Nasolot Hill spotting a wooded floral profile. Quite unmistakable for its peak that protrudes from the surrounding landscape, with steep or sheer sides, it is the main focal point within the reserve. From Nasolot Hill you can catch pleasant views of Sekerr Range and Mtelo Peak, the highest point, in the immediate south.
Gazetted in 1979 not far from Turkwel Gorge, Nasolot National Reserve is famed for its prolific but shy wildlife. It harbours a big elephant population estimated at 300 in 2024. The eles often migrate along the ancient Masol corridor to Rimoi National Reserve and South Turkana National Reserve. The reserve also boasts of buffaloes, lesser kudus, bush bucks, duikers, lions, leopards, dik-diks, spotted hyenas, jackals, impalas, olive baboons, sykes and vervet monkeys, beisa and fringe-eared Oryx, water bucks, hippos, and the handsome Thompson’s gazelle.
There is no accommodation within Nasolot National Reserve. However, there’s a self-catering accommodation option at the Marich Pass Field Studies Center 80 km away. Mount Mtelo View Lodge, 30 km away, is a more convenient option. From Kitale town, Nasolot National Reserve is 146 km northerly heading, then west off the A1 Kitale-Lodwar highway to Sarmach Gate 6 km further. There are three easily accessible airstrips at Turkwel Dam Station, Marich Pass and Kaputir.
A few decades ago, for motorists and travellers plying the Kitale-Lodwar highway, crossing Kainuk bridge was a dreaded affair as bandits staged sporadic attacks that claimed lives and left many innocent people with injuries. The road condition was dreadful, too. Today, however, thanks to prevailing peace in the region, and a complete upgrade of the A1 Road – an international trunk linking Kitale-Lodwar-South Sudan – the journey to Nasolot National Reserve is enjoyable and relaxing.
Kenya certainly has enormous touring resources. There are no less than sixty national narks, reserves and game sanctuaries, covering approximately 11% of the land surface. Each of these diverse and stunning national parks and reserves offers unique wildlife experiences and unique, breathtaking landscapes.
Index of National Parks & Reserves in Kenya
Baringo County - Lake Baringo National Reserve, Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Kerio Valley National Reserve, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve, Bomet County - The South Western Mau National Reserve, Busia County - Malaba Sanctuary, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Rimoi National Reserve, Embu County - Mount Kenya National Park; Irangi Forest Station, Mwea National Reserve, Garissa County - Bour-Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Rahole National Reserve, Arawale National Reserve, Boni National Reserve, Homa Bay County - Ruma National Park, Isiolo County - The Bisanadi National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Shaba National Reserve, Kajiado County - Amboseli National Park, Kakamega County - Kakamega National Reserve, Kilifi County - Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve, Watamu Marine National Park, Malindi Marine Reserve, Kisumu County - Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Ndere Island National Park, Kitui County - Mwingi National Reserve, South Kitui National Reserve, Kwale County - Shimba Hills National Reserve, Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park & Reserve, Lamu County - Dodori National Reserve, Kiunga Marine National Reserve, Machakos County - Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Makueni County - Chyulu Hills National Park, Ngai Ndethya National Reserve, Mandera County - Malka Mari National Park, Marsabit County - Losai National Reserve, South Island National Park, Marsabit National Park & Reserve, Sibiloi National Park, Meru County - Meru National Park, Mombasa County - Mombasa Marine National Reserve & Park, Nairobi County - The Nairobi National Park, Nakuru County - Mount Longonot National Park, Crescent Island Sanctuary, Hell's Gate National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Nandi County - Bonjoge National Reserve, Narok County - Masai Mara National Reserve, Nyeri County - The Aberdare National Park, Samburu County - Samburu National Reserve, Maralal National Reserve, Siaya County - Lake Kanyaboli Reserve, Tana River County - Kora National Park, The Tana Primate National Reserve, Taita Taveta County - Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Tharaka Nithi County - Mutejwa National Reserve, Trans Nzoia County - Mount Elgon National Park, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Turkana County - Central Island Reserve, South Turkana Reserve, West Pokot County - Nasolot National Reserve
Touring West Pokot County in Kenya offers a chance to explore a region known for its iconic, rugged landscapes, vibrant cultures, and rich traditions. Located in the extreme northwest part of the country, bordering Uganda, West Pokot County is primary inhabited by the Pokot community, known for their pastoralist lifestyle.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Nasolot National Reserve
A Guide to West Pokot County
A Summa Digest of West Pokot
About West Pokot Way Back When
32 Destinations in West Pokot County, arranged as one would visit these - south to northeast - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Kaisagat Viewpoint, Barnley's Guest House, Kapkoris Hill Viewpoint, Dini ya Roho Church, Mount Murpus, Chewoyet High School, Kapenguria Museum, Kapenguria Town, Chelanga Gardens, Tartar Falls, Kacheliba, Holy Cross Church Kacheliba, Alale Gold Mines, Suam River Beach, Kamatira Forest, Lounon Village, Cherangani Hills, Marich Pass, Marich Pass Center, Kang'alan Escarpment, Kolloa Cross Monument, Weiwei Irrigation Scheme, Tamkal Valley, Mount Koh, Sekerr Range, Mount Mtelo View Lodge, Nasolot National Reserve, Turkwel Dam, Turkwel Gorge, State Lodge, Riting
Know More About West Pokot County: Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
West Pokot has significant variations in temperature with the lower lands experiencing temperatures of up to 33oC, and highlands experiencing modest temperatures of 15oC.
West Pokot County is marked by a variety of topographic features – dry plains in the north, a hatful of ranges and hills in the mid, and in the south east Cherangani Hills.