Malka Mari National Park

Malka Mari National Park From Nairobi by Road.

• The first step you take the A2 route of the northern Tarmac Road to Isiolo and then proceed to Moyale Town on the Ethiopian border. From Moyale you take the D504 Road on the eastern side through Yabdus and Sara Hills via Takaba For around 160 km before Diverting to the North pass through a colonial military center of Derkale until you reach Bannissa Town distances of 65 km from Takaba. This is the safest and most secure route to access the park.
• The second step is driving Through   B9 North Eastern road -Thika -Garrissa – Wajir -Mandera Road until You Arrive at the border Town Of Elwak in Mandera County. Then you proceed west and take Elwak –Takaba road before reaching the rocky town of Takaba distance of 140 km. From Takaba you drive North to Bannissa town a distance of 65 km. It’s journey of estimated distance of 1400 km from Nairobi to Bannissa.

From Nairobi by Air.

Airstrips in Malka Mari National Park

• Rhamu This airstrip is in Rhamu town in the Mandera North constituency and good condition.  To access the Park you need to hire a vehicle and drive west to Bannissa distances of 140km through Rhamu-Ola-Bannissa road. Currently, there is no daily local flight operating in this area.
• Bannissa This airstrip is in Bannissa town and is only 12km from the park boundary but it’s not in good condition and it has some undergrowth. Currently, there is no daily local flight operating in this area.
• Takaba airstrip. This Airstrip is in Takaba Town south of Bannissa town 65 km from Bannissa, it’s in good condition and Currently, there is a local passenger flight operating in this area but Twice a week only on  Sunday and Tuesday. They are called Shillow Tours and Buko Travellers. For you to access the Park need to hire a vehicle and drive North through Takaba – Bannissa A distance of 65 km until you reach Bannissa town.
• Malka Mari air strip -This is an old colonial Airstrip inside the park but it’s not in good condition and it has some undergrowth. Currently, there is no daily local flight operating in this area.
• Mandera main airstrip –This Airstrip is in Mandera Town. Its operation is under the control of Kenya Defense forces. It’s in good condition, they have daily local Passenger flights provided by local flight companies Shillow Tours and Buko Travellers. For you to access the park you need to hire a vehicle to drive Through B9 road west of Mandera town before arriving at Rhamu town and Divert from The B9 to Rhamu-Ola-Bannissa road before arriving at Bannissa town. It’s an estimated distance of 270 km from Marram Road.
• Elwak airstrip airstrip is in Elwak town and good condition. Currently, there is a local passenger flight operating in this area but twice a week only by Shallow Tours and Buko Travelers on Sunday and Tuesday.  To access the park you hire a vehicle and proceed west and take the Elwak –Takaba road before reaching the rocky town of Takaba distance of 140 km from Elwak . From Takaba you drive North to Bannissa town a distance of 65 km.

Recommended Route to Access Malka Mari National Park.

By Road

Take the A2 route of the northern Tarmac Road to Isiolo and then proceed to Moyale Town on the Ethiopian border. From Moyale you take the D504 Road on the eastern side through Yabdus and Sara Hills via Takaba. Drive at least 160 km before Diverting to North until you reach Bannissa Town a distance of 65 km from Takaba. This is the safest and most secure route to access the park.

By Air

Takaba airstrip. This Airstrip is in Takaba Town south of Bannissa Town. It’s 65 km from Bannissa Town, it’s in good condition and currently, there is a local passenger flight operating in this area twice a week only (Sunday and Tuesday). These are Shillow Tours and Buko Travelers. For you to access the Park you need to hire a vehicle, drive north to Bannissa through Takaba-Bannissa Road