Being the only desert in Kenya, chalbi desert has become a common destination in Kenya and in east Africa as well. It is located on the northern part of Kenya in Marsabit County. By road, it is approximately 8 hours’ drive from the capital of Kenya, Nairobi. Sounds like a fun road trip right? There are some very beautiful scenery on the way that will catch your attention; the highlands in the central region being among them. You can pop in at Ol pegeta conservancy for a quick game drive to set the mood of your trip.
The desert is a few hours’ drive from Samburu national reserve as you approach Marsabit town.
CLIMATE AND VEGETATION IN CHALBI DESERT
The vegetation here is restricted to small grass and shrubs that quickly adopt to scarce rain and the scorching sun. A good percentage of the desert is covered by a wind-blown sand dune and weathered rocks that have been changed by the decaying conditions. Short scattered acacia trees are also very common in this desert.
With the very high temperatures and scarce supply of water small animals like rats and generally rodents can’t survive here and they end up burrowing underground and living there.
Large mammals like Oryx, gazelle and gerenuk are able to survive here as their metabolic systems enables them to store water in their bodies. These mammals feed on the most humid and wet plants that are available and hide under trees when it is the hottest during the day.
By the fact that most communities around the desert are pastoralists and herders there tend to be a big number of cows, goats and camels around the area and in very large herds.
WHAT TO DO IN CHALBI DESERT
There is quite a number of activities to do at chalbi desert that you will really enjoy while here. You need to spare several days to visit this place.
Some of these activities are:
DESERT SAFARIS
This goes without saying; a desert safari is definitely something you will do while here. Cruising with a cool 4×4 with an open roof under the scorching sun; this is a perfect place with sun dunes for surfing and racing.
Enjoy this ride and make beautiful memories in this beautiful gem.
CAMEL SAFARI
How about cruising the sun dunes on the back of a camel? Taking yourself down the memory lane of how the ancient people used to survive in the good old days.
The communities here have preserve their culture at its best and they still use animals like camels and donkeys as a form of transport.
Camels are able to survive in the desert for long as they can retain water for up to 6 months of being active. They have a hump where they store fatty deposits that are able to last tem for long. When food is in plenty they overeat and when the fat in the hump depletes the hump sags or disappears.
CAMPING
We all love camping, the idea of spending the night under the skies watching the beautiful stars sounds fantastic. Chalbi desert is the best destination for this. Considering the nights are quite cool; the skies are clear and its deep in the wild this place will give you the best camping experience of your life.
CULTURAL TOUR
Apart from the cultural; experience there are some quite interesting communities surround the chalbi desert that you might want to learn more about.
The chalbi desert is a plain nilote territory. The plain nilote include the Samburu, Turkana, Rendille and the Teso. The plain Nilotes are among the few communities that have their rich culture well preserve; as good as new.
These communities have an interesting lifestyle running from what they eat, to what they wear, their tradition and form of governance housing among so much more.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN IN CHALBI DESERT
When it comes to accommodation chalbi desert can be quite interesting. While here you are limited to camping especially if you want to stay in and within the desert. There are also neighboring communities that offer accommodation in small lodges designed in their style and tradition.
You can also spend the night at Marsabit town where there some good hotels like Nomad Hotel in Marsabit town.
THE BEST TIME TO BE HERE
Chalbi desert is open to visit throughout the year. However, some of the best times to visit this place is the season between January and June as well as between October and December. The sunny period is the best to get the actual feeling of being in the desert; don’t forget your sunscreen.
HOW TO GET HERE
The best and cheaper form of transport to chalbi desert is by road; a 4 x 4 land cruiser or an overland truck will give you the best experience.
However you can also use a jet to get here but you will need a vehicle to explore the place.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS AROUND AND NEAR CHALBI DESERT
You may be wanting to compliment your trip- adding an extra destination to your itinerary. Some of these attractions are:
Ol pegeta Conservancy
This conservancy is located at Nanyuki en route to Samburu. It is a small conservancy that serves as the home of chimpanzee as well as other animals like the lions ad rhinos.
You can pass by ol pegeta conservancy for a quick game drive before leaving for chalbi desert.
Samburu Game Reserve
This game reserve is in Samburu County that acts as the home of the special five animals we have in Kenya. It is worth a day before embarking on your trip to the desert; it might as well help you set your mood right for adventure.
Fun Facts about Chalbi Desert
- It is the smallest and the only desert in Kenya
- The desert goes all the way to Turkana County to the north of the country
- The desert has a small lake that is a serves of water to the animals that live here.
- The areas experiences two sunny seasons and two rainy seasons.
Wrapping it up
Despite being remote and having harsh environment chalbi desert deserves a visit. It will give you a taste of the Sahara and a chance to learn so many things while here. You might need three to four days to explore here and leave no stone unturned form the desert safari to a cultural tour to one of the communities living around here.
The temperature during the day is between 43 degrees Celsius to 46 degrees Celsius. This calls for the right gear and protective items for you to surviving the day. However during the night the temperate ranges between 13 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius; which is quite cold.
If you will take the camping option, then you should definitely consider having some warm clothes and proper camping gear for the night. A bonfire could also be a good plan for such cold nights as to catch up with the rest of the group members who have accompanied you for the safari.