From stunning lodges and diverse cultural fairs Kenya’s northern circuit is perfect for those looking for ultimate experience in the wild, writes ALLAN OLINGO
Endowed with beautiful scenery, diverse culture, wildlife, topography and a greater opportunity to get to know Kenya’s least known cultures, the northern region is rich with tourism products. The unique five animals only found in the area are the reticulated giraffe, grevy zebra, Somali ostrich, the oryx and the gerenuk, which add to the unique tourism opportunity in this tourist circuit.
These platforms help open up the unexplored northern tourism circuit and at the same time to showcase Kenya’s diverse tourism product offerings such as wildlife, culture, scenery, historic and pre-historic sites found in the region.
Maralal Camel Derby
This is an internationally recognised annual event held in Yare Camel Camp, Maralal. The event started in 1989 known by the name of “Maralal International Camel Derby” and has been taking place every August since then.
“This sporting event is used as a way of creating awareness on the diverse culture and tourism potential in the area. It is also an opportunity to foster peace among the communities within the county of Maralal,” says Kenya Tourist Board managing director Muriithi Ndegwa.
The Maralal Came Derby draws participants both locally and internationally. Foreign tourists have been participating in the annual event.
“We have entered into a partnership with the community’s organising committee in a bid to profile the activity to a higher level,” Ndegwa reveals.
Says Ndegwa: “Besides being a sporting event, it creates an opportunity for the promotion of culture and tourism in the northern part of the country. “
This year’s derby theme is ‘Peace for Tourism and environmental conservation’ and it will to be held between August 23 and 25.
For fun lovers, the Maralal camel derby has a lot of activities including camel races for both professionals (usually for locals) and amateurs (for the internationals) categories.
Ndegwa says there will also be the peace run featuring morans from various communities.
