Unusual Attractions in Mandera
Marehan Sandstone: Colour Changing Rock
Beyond El Wak, the rocky road proceeds to Iresuki, then outwith to Wargadud and Gari. From here the roadside is sprung with hills. But no signs of life. Passing through Sala and Defo Epag you arrive at Tabaka, 36 km before the larger town of Rhamu. Of the hills and outcrops that freckle the low-lying landscape between Gari and Elwak, in the northeast area of Mandera County, the Marehan Sandstone is other-worldly. Also known as Marehan Massif, it is a most unusual attraction.
It is a massive sandstone monolith that rises in the heart of Takabba, standing-guard in prominence over the strewn development of household around it. The Marahan Sandstone is composed primarily of coarse-grained arkose sandstone, which is rich in feldspar, giving it its unique outlook. Although it does not hold great import as a sacred site, it, however, has cultural sways for the local fork. Locally, too, it is a cherished touring landmark, drawing visitors from the region.
Towering almost 200 ft above the surrounding landscape and stretching for 1 km, the massive Marehan Sandstone is made conspicuous by the striking rounded arcs and ridges. Usually rofous in appearance, Marehan Sandstone appears to magically change colour with the sun’s movement, especially at dawn and dusk, when it’s hue glares with a radiant bright orange glow. Marehan Sandstone has great sweeps as a hikers paradise. It is found at Takabba 36 km south of Rhamu.
Around Kenya are a selection of natural landmarks, cultural shrines, architectural oddities, and technological installations that offer incredible, almost surreal experiences that can make you feel as if you’ve stepped into another world. Hauntingly beautiful to some, eerie sights for others, and still, for others, down right strange, these site provide unique experiences for adventurous travelers.
Index of Unusual Attractions Around Kenya
Baringo County - Olduka (Mogotio) Valley, Busia County - The Alupe Leprosy Centre, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Kipteberr, Isiolo County - Magado Crater, Magado Cave Dwellings, Nantudu Spire Rock, Merti Catholic Church, Buffalo Springs, Harr Girrissa, Kericho County - Van Wicker's Cave, The Kipkelion Monastery, Kilifi County - Hell's Kitchen, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, Ngomeni Shipwreck, Kwale County - Three Sisters Caves, Mrima Hills Rare Earth Mine, Laikipia County - Sirmon & Nyariginu Confluence, Lamu County - The Lamu Donkey Sanctuary, Machakos County - Komarock Shrine, Kituluni Magical Hill, Makueni County - Kenze Gorges, Virgin Mary Shrine, Emali Trig, Holy Nzaui Rock, Mandera County - Marehan Sandstone, Marsabit County - Chalbi Desert, Meru County - Mystical Lake Nkunga, The Giant Footprints, Mombasa County - Kizingo, Mbaraki Pillar, Muranga County - Muranga Gorges, Nakuru County - Longonot Earth Station, Menegai, The Djinn House, Diana Caldwell's Shrine, Nandi County - Sheu Morobi Cliffs, Kopere Rocks, Nyandarua County - The Kinangop Step, Wanjohi Happy Valley, Dragon's Teeth, Nyeri County - Italian Memorial Church & Somali Wall, Taita Taveta County - The Taita Skull Caves, Shetani Lava, Yatta Springs, Nyiri Taru Desert, Crystal Caves at Lake Chala, Salaita (Slaughter) Hill, Haunted Sniper's Tree, Turkana County - Kapedo Falls, Lake Alablab, The Turkana Boy Monument, Samburu County - Samburu Singing Wells, Ngurunit Pools & Slides, Mystical Emuruangogolak, Vihiga County - Wagevere Rock, Nganyi Rainmakers Forest, Wajir County - Shaletey Caves
Mandera County, in northeastern Kenya, sharing borders with Ethiopia to the north and Somalia to the east, is a place of unique geographical features, cultural diversity, and unique socio-economic activities. Its obscurity stems from the facts that it is a semi-arid block, with rampant insecurity, and limited infrastructure development. Even so, Mandera County harbours many little-known surprises!
You Are Here: Marehan Sandstone
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations Nearby Marehan Sandstone
A Guide to Mandera County
A Summa Digest of Mandera
About Mandera Way Back When
8 Destinations in Mandera County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north then west - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
El Wak Ancient Wells, Fort El Wak, Marehan Sandstone, Malka Mari National Park, River Daua, Dandu Hills, Red Sea Resort, Mandera Town
Know More About Mandera County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.09?
For the most parts plain, only exemplified by its low-lying notable rocky hills which rise gradually from 400 ms south at Elwak to 970 ms asl along the boundary with Ethiopia.
What’s The Air Like In Mandera?
Temperatures are always high in Mandera, with a minimum of 24oCelsius in July and a maximum of 42oCelsius in February. Rainfall is scanty, unreliable and unpredictable.
Abiri Kenya 