Isiolo

Getting there

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.

See

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. (updated Apr 2022)

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. (updated Apr 2022)

3 Buffalo Springs Reserve. Daily 9AM-5PM. (updated Apr 2022)

Do

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. (updated Apr 2022) Right Choice Tours & Safaris, ☏ +254 20 8072613. (updated Apr 2022) Ravina Tours and Travels Ltd, ☏ +254 722103340, [email protected]. Safari outfitter for Samburu National Reserve. (updated Mar 2025)

Buy

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. (updated Mar 2016)

Eat

The Saala Hotel 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. (updated Apr 2022)

Sleep

Mocharo Lodge, near the main square. Josera Guest House, ☏ +254 7252228482. (updated Sep 2016) 1 Northern Galaxy Hotel-Isiolo, Oldo/Nyiro, Kenyatta Hwy, ☏ +254 701 172247. Somewhat exciting in that it has an outdoor pool. Ksh 1960. (updated Apr 2022) 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. (updated Apr 2022)