'''Marsabit''' is a city in Kenya.
Get in
Get around
See
Marsabit is on a plateau that rises above the surrounding rocky plains. There is increased rainfall here so the area is very green compared to the surrounding desert. Marsabit National Reserve is meant to protect part of this forest and large heards of elephants can be seen around the crater lakes in the park--definitely worth seeing. Also, short hikes from the center of town to the two hills with visible towers give panoramic views of the countryside.
Do
Buy
Eat
Jay Jay's Restaurant (in Jay Jay's hotel). There is also a restaurant in the Modern Hotel near the town center. Food can also readily be bought on the street from the vendors that line the sides of the road in the center of town.
Drink
Sleep
Jay Jay's Hotel (rooms from 250 Ksh/night) seems to be the main hotel in Marsabit for foreign travelers. There is a courtyard and restaurant on the second floor. There is a shared bathroom and showers, but currently no running water. Water has to be requested at the office and a bucket is brought to you. If you would rather use a latrine I have been sometimes successful asking the watchman in front of the building for the key to the Choo (latrine in Swahili) which is around the side of the building.
Jinjimana's is a smaller hotel nearby. It is a bit cheaper (150 Kenyan Shillings per night) has clean rooms, a shared latrine and a shower with heated water! The second floor of Jinjimana's is currently under construction (summer 2006). A few night's when there wasn't room in Jinjimana's I stayed at Jay Jay's and walked to Jinjimana's in the morning and paid 50 shillings to take a shower.
Get out
Trucks leave everyday day south for Isiolo or all the way to Nairobi and north to Moyale on the border with Ethiopia. A ride in the cab of a truck can cost around $20 US. Most trucks do a two day drive to Nairobi with an overnight stop in Isiolo. There is also a bus that leaves early in the morning every few days from infront of the Modern Hotel. A seat is $1000 Kenyan shillings and should be bought the night before if possible because it seems to fill up fast. Be ready for you pack to be tied ontop of the bus. The road to Isiolo is unpaved and very bumpy. Also there are rumors of bandits along the streatch just before reaching Archer's Post. Police also stop the bus at every check point and often demand bribes.