Marsabit Forest – Msitu wa Bwana Tembo
Ostriches, Grevy’s zebra, hyenas and elephants. These are some of the animals that roam around the forest atop a mountain within the Marsabit scrublands. Whether they interact, interject each other’s conversations or simply ignore species that are not of their own, we are yet to know. One thing we’re certain of is that with the sundry of animals on this mountain, the food chain can only be lively.
The Marsabit Forest is the forest that covers the top of Mount Marsabit with its blanket of greenery, a haven not only to wild animals but various birds and butterflies in the northern region of Kenya. At the peak of this mountain, we also discover Lake Paradise, a crater lake that the animals use to hydrate during the prolonged dry seasons within the course of each year.
But while we discuss the greenwood that stands 6,000 meters above sea level, we must acknowledge the mammals that spark the delight of both local tourists as well as international ones – the elephants. They are just like any other that our country has been blessed with, only they have greater, more admirable tusks. You may recall stories of the famous ‘Bwana Tembo’ also known as Ahmed the Elephant – one of Kenya’s fiercest mammals. Born in 1919, his colossal tusks that weighed 70 kilograms each and made him one of the rarest elephants in Africa. Bwana Tembo’s tusks were presumed to be the heaviest on the continent. Ahmed was always accompanied by smaller (compared to his size) bull elephants who we imagine acted as his bodyguards. His tusks gained him global recognition and even motivated filmmakers from around the world to travel to Marsabit Forest and feature Bwana Tembo in their films. With this we can confidently label him as the forest’s brand ambassador!
Marsabit Forest owes its evergreen presence to the clouds that congregate at the mountains top sometimes during the day and other times at night to feed the forest with water. The soil here absorbs the water well and makes the location a great water catchment area.
Are you looking for an adventure? Marsabit Forest is located further north of Nairobi within Marsabit National Park in the blissful Marsabit County.
#ForestsOfKenya #MisituZetu
Lake-Paradise on Mt Marsabit. Image credit: Marsabit Times
Marsabit National Park. Image credit: Safari254
Marsabit National Park. Image credit: Safari254
Ahmed of Marsabit. Image credit: Africa Hunting
