Marsabit's Chalbi desert offers rare adventure to travellers

A drive through the Chalbi desert in Marsabit County is an adventure unlike any other.

Driving through the forsaken expanse, you can smell, breath and feel clean air as you are often the only soul for miles.

The drive can only be possible in a vehicle which can move effortlessly in rough terrain, though.

Driving through the desert as the Nation experienced while heading to the Kalacha cultural festival last Friday gives a feeling of communion with the people you meet, often stopping to talk to them and help in any way.

As you get deeper into the desert, you begin to see patches of succulent vegetation surrounded by stretches of dry land.

Deeper into the desert there are groves of doum palm and acacia trees with the desert breeze swaying them from side to side making a picturesque view during the drive through.

Due to the huge deposits of sand and heavy wind, you encounter sand storms often during the drive. The storms are fierce and depending on the ferocity, they could cover driving tracks.

Along the way, you may encounter ostrich feeding under the rocks. If you are lucky, you could find a whole group of them.

Because of the aridity of the area, you find many people at the side of the road with their camels and goats migrating to greener zones.

It is a custom to share water with them before driving on. The women and children are effusive in their appreciation when you share water or other rations with them.

During the drive you encounter vast deposits of trona which locals use to make licking salt for their animals and prepare their food.

You may find people there collecting and packing it to take it with them back to their villages.

Consequently, there are many lone groves of doum palms during the drive where you can stop to venture in groups to avoid getting lost.

GOOD MUSIC

The road trip through the desert would not be complete without energy supplements, water and good music.

Singing along to the music while you enjoy the scenery gives one the illusion of a drive through a secluded beach.

The journey through the Chalbi takes almost twice as long as it should as there are many attractions to stop at and take pictures both individually and in groups.

VERY HOT

The desert is located 370 meters above sea level in the North Eastern region of Kenya.

Chalbi which in the local Gabbra dialect means ‘bare and salty, is one of the hottest places in Kenya.

A drive through the expanse of sand is exciting as you allow the cool breeze to hit you and counteract the strong heat of the sun.

This journey is not easy and though you may start full of energy, by the time you cut across the expansive land, you are likely to be exhausted.

Temperatures may be extremely hot during the day in Chalbi but they also drop sharply during the night. A ride through it therefore requires one to be armed with the right clothing for both weather extremes.

The biggest fear during a drive through the Chalbi desert is that your car may break down and starve before someone comes at your rescue. Nonetheless, it is the best road trip.