Isiolo

Isiolo is a city in Kenya.

Kenya and the capital of Isiolo County. It is an important transport and commercial centre in eastern Kenya and serves as a gateway between the more developed central parts of the country and the arid and semi-arid regions of northern Kenya.

Isiolo is located near the transition between Kenya's central highlands and the drier northern regions. The town's position at the junction of major roads makes it an important stopping point for travellers heading towards Marsabit, Moyale, Samburu National Reserve and other destinations in northern Kenya.

The local economy is based largely on trade, livestock, transport and government services. Livestock markets are particularly important because Isiolo serves communities from several surrounding pastoral areas.

The town is culturally diverse, with communities including the Borana, Somali, Turkana, Samburu, Meru and other groups living in the wider area.

Isiolo developed as a settlement along historic routes linking the central highlands with northern Kenya. Its location made it an important meeting and trading point for pastoral communities and traders.

During the colonial period, Isiolo became an administrative and military centre. The town continued to expand after Kenya's independence as roads and government services developed.

Its strategic location has given Isiolo an increasingly important role in Kenya's plans for developing the northern part of the country.

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.

Boda bodas, tuk-tuks, taxis and minibuses are commonly used within the town. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is preferable for some journeys into remote areas and wildlife reserves.

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.

• 0.64519137.7094341 Shaba National Reserve, ☏ +254 713 005065.  (updated Apr 2022)

• 0.609837.53122 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)

• 0.572337.62343 Buffalo Springs Reserve. Daily 9AM-5PM.  (updated Apr 2022)

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, info@ravinatoursandtravels.com. Safari outfitter for Samburu National Reserve. (updated Mar 2025)

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)

The Saala Hotel^{[dead link]} has a full-service restaurant, offering options like goat soup, chicken kyiv, pan fish, and chicken tikka.

• 0.3508937.583351 Eeman Restaurant, ☏ +254 70 5850152. Nice waffles.  (updated Apr 2022)

• Mocharo Lodge, near the main square.
• Josera Guest House, ☏ +254 7252228482.  (updated Sep 2016)
• 0.3366437.578591 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)
• 0.3566637.585472 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)

• Nanyuki — A town near Mount Kenya and an important tourism centre.
• Meru — A major town east of Mount Kenya.
• Samburu National Reserve — A major wildlife destination north of Isiolo.
• Marsabit — A town farther north on the route towards Ethiopia.
• Moyale — A border town on the Ethiopia–Kenya frontier.
• Nairobi — Kenya's capital and main transport hub.