Isiolo is a city in Kenya.
Get in
[edit]There are buses & minivans from
- Nanyuki (1 hour).
- Meru (1 hour).
- Nairobi (5½ hours)
- Minivans to Nanyuki and Isiolo can be boarded in the River Road area of Nairobi. See the Nairobi section on Wikivoyage for more information.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]Isiolo is prime for game conservation country. Safari operators guide visitors on tours of these lands to see the great cats; African ungulate species like giraffe, elephant, oryx; and even crocodiles.
- 1 Shaba National Reserve, ☏ +254 713 005065.
- 2 Samburu National Reserve, ☏ +254 733 869661. Daily 8AM-6PM. One of the places where George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa of Born Free fame, when Joy wasn't being snide with the local populace.
- 3 Buffalo Springs Reserve. Daily 9AM-5PM.
Do
[edit]There is little to do in Isiolo proper outside of the reserves. The social life in the town revolves around drinking and chewing Miraa (qhat). There is a nightclub in town that plays mostly early 1990s techno-pop.
These are based in Nairobi, but offer safari tours of Samburu and possibly the other reserves:
- Mufasa Tours and Travels, ☏ +254 701 302035. Safari outfitter for Samburu National Reserve.
- Right Choice Tours & Safaris, ☏ +254 20 8072613.
- Ravina Tours and Travels Ltd, ☏ +254 722103340, [email protected]. Safari outfitter for Samburu National Reserve.
Buy
[edit]Isiolo is a center for copper, brass, and aluminum jewelry-making and has a large market.
- Equity Bank. 24-hour ATM. Has a Master Card/Visa Card ATM.
Eat
[edit]The Saala Hotel[dead link] has a full-service restaurant, offering options like goat soup, chicken kyiv, pan fish, and chicken tikka.
- 1 Eeman Restaurant, ☏ +254 70 5850152. Nice waffles.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- Mocharo Lodge, near the main square.
- Josera Guest House, ☏ +254 7252228482.
- 1 Northern Galaxy Hotel-Isiolo, Oldo/Nyiro, Kenyatta Hwy, ☏ +254 701 172247. Somewhat exciting in that it has an outdoor pool. Ksh 1960.
- 2 Saala Hotel, ☏ +254 709 909000. With its modest yet stately tower, it kind of sets the bar for accommodations in Isiolo. With breakfast and a restaurant. Ksh 6687.
Go next
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