​Overview – Lake Turkana

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Lake Turkana, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is the largest alkaline lake in the world, and the largest lake of any kind in a desert. The area is inhospitable, but eerily beautiful, and the lake’s three islands are a stopover for migrant birds and a breeding site for crocodiles and hippos. Scenery, cultural visits and bird watching are the main attractions. There are big mammals in Sibiloi National Park on the shore of the lake, but this is not primarily a safari destination.

Best Time To Go June to September and January to February
High Season December to March and July to October (Not busy)
Size 6,405km² / 2,473mi²
Altitude 361-685m / 1,184-2,247ft

Pros & Cons

  • Untouristy, remote destination
  • Beautiful lake and desert scenery
  • Breeding ground for crocodiles and hippos
  • Excellent bird watching with many waterbirds, including flocks of flamingos
  • Boat trips
  • Home of many indigenous people
  • Paleontological sites in Sibiloi National Park
  • Only basic accommodations and campsites
  • It is very hot and windy

Lake Turkana Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

Lake Turkana is not really a wildlife destination, but it’s famous for its crocodiles and bird colonies. Up to an estimated 120,000 Nile crocodiles breed on Central Island, which can be visited by boat. Sibiloi National Park protects the wildlife in the area, including some north Kenyan specials such as reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, lesser kudu, gerenuk and Grevy's zebra. Lion, leopard and cheetah are present, but rarely seen.

Scenery

Lake Turkana is surrounded by volcanic rock and subject to a brutally dry southeasterly wind. Vegetation is sparse and spiky. The lake is often called the 'Jade Sea' because of its size and turquoise waters. The water level of the lake fluctuates widely. It used to be 100m/330ft higher thousands of years ago.

Weather & Climate

Lake Turkana lies in the very dry, inhospitable north of Kenya. This is the hottest area of the country with daytime temperatures averaging 34°C/93°F. The annual rainfall is less than 300mm/12in, but the long rains peak in April and the short rains peak in November, as elsewhere in the country. More info:

Best Time To Visit

Lake Turkana has a desert climate and rainfall is very low. The area can be visited at any time, but the scenery is most stunning after the rains, which peak in April and November. The wetter months should be avoided if you are driving up from Nairobi, as some tracks might become difficult to navigate.

Getting There

Lake Turkana is located in northern Kenya, 665km/414mi north of Nairobi. Loiyangalani, on the southeastern shore, is accessible by charter flight or on organized truck trips. Charter flights are also available to Sibiloi. There are scheduled flights to Lodwar on the western side of the lake from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Eldoret with Fly540.

There are several routes to the east and west sides of the lake. There is no road connecting these two sides, but lake crossings can be organized at a hefty price. Some of the routes have been partially tarred, which makes the lake more accessible than it has ever been. Experienced 4x4 enthusiasts could undertake the trip independently, but ideally in a convoy of at least two vehicles. To get to the lake from Nairobi, you need to cross the Chalbi or Karoli Desert.

Health & Safety

Please read our malaria and vaccinations page for Kenya and our general ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ for more info:

Want To Visit Lake Turkana?

Lake Turkana Operators

Lake Turkana Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Stuart Butler  –  
United Kingdom UK

Stuart is a travel writer and author of numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including 'Kenya', 'Rwanda' and 'Tanzania'.

Kenya’s Ultimate Adventure
5/5

Let’s get some of the ‘boring’ factual stuff out the way first. Firstly, Lake Turkana per se isn’t a national park. However, there are three parks on or bordering the lake: these are Central Island National Park, South Island...

Full Review

Latest User Review
Jeffrey de Visser (The Africa Expedition)  –  
Netherlands NL
Reviewed: Oct 22, 2013
The last bit of Africa from childhood dreams
5/5

I have driven nearly 60,000 kilometres around Africa through 32 different countries. Nevertheless, it is the Turkana region that still stands out in my mind. This area is the cradle of humankind. Not only have some of the earliest humans...

Full Review