Lake Turkana
Expert Reviews (5)
Kenya Parks
Nana is a travel writer and author of multiple guidebooks, including the Lonely Planet guides to Africa, Zambia & Malawi and South Africa.
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Emerald splash in an untamed terrain
Visiting Lake Turkana, the largest desert lake in the world, is a real adventure. For the cash-rich and time-poor, it’s a flight in a private light aircraft over the blistered earth below. For everyone else, it’s a couple of days of hardy overland travel from Nairobi. However you choose to come, your first view of the lake – a slash of iridescent jade, stretching down along the Great Rift Valley from Ethiopia - is one that will stay with you for a long time.
There are three national parks at Lake Turkana: Sibiloi National Park, South Island National Park and the Central Island National Park. Much of the wildlife that you find here is fitting to the harsh landscape, including Nile crocodile, plentiful venomous snakes and scorpions. Mammals include zebras, hippopotamus, gazelle, hartebeest, lion and cheetah, though this isn’t the place to come to see big cats.
Facilities here are few and you won’t meet many other travelers and that is the appeal. Traveling in a Landcruiser across bleak desert and past dramatic volcanic backdrops; encountering traditionally dressed nomadic pastoralists herding their camels; and sleeping in absolute tranquility in rustic Turkana style huts beside the lake are among my favorite Kenya experiences.
Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines.
1 person found this review helpful.
Lake Turkana, an oasis for desert people and animals alike
Lake Turkana, the largest desert lake in the world, lies in the scenic Rift Valley in the very remote inaccessible part of Northern Kenya. Getting here means crossing the inhospitable Chalbi desert. This is not a place to include in just any Kenya safari; this is a destination and trip in its own right. Getting here and back, taking in some of the other attractions of Northern Kenya takes time and is only for people who don’t mind roughing it a bit and are up for some adventure.
The wildlife is scarce, but all the expected desert creatures of this part of the world are present. These include gerenuk, dik-dik, reticulated giraffe and beisa oryx. The birding is excellent and you’ll be able to tick off some real desert specials. For me, coming to this part of Kenya isn’t primarily about the wildlife or scenery. Ancient tribes rule here and a little interaction with these incredible people has made for an unforgettable experience.