Lake Lake Turkana, formerly Lake Rudolf, is a jade green jewel in the dry north of Kenya bordering Ethiopia. The lake is 256 km long and 48 km wide, but is decreasing in size. Even today a journey to this remote lake is an exhausting experience and has a special taste of adventure. The impression when first setting eyes on this lake is one of having left earth and landed on another planet. No plants, no creature, only stones over stones. Visit the El Molo tribesman in their village, who are said to be the smallest tribe in Africa. Caution should be exercised near the lake as its waters are crocodile infested.

Discover the various islands in the lake and Sibiloi National Park on the eastern shores of the lake which is known mainly because Richard Leakey discovered here remnants of an two million year old Hominid, an early anchestor of man. At Koobi Fora, both Australopithecenes and early Homo fossils have been found. Richard Leakey uncovered approximately four hundred fossils at the Koobi Fora. As a result, the site is known for having the richest and most varied human remains that have been found in the world. Although it is one of the most remote and therefore least visited of Kenya’s parks, Sibiloi has plenty to offer alongside its rich Pala ontological and archaeological heritage.

Its landscape is dry, arid and hot but startlingly beautiful views of scenic landscapes set in expansive areas of wilderness. The park contains several different types of habitats, from lake shore with water vegetation, hippos, and crocodiles to arid, desert-like lava rock terrain; savanna plains to riverine forest. Euphorbia and stunning pink flowers of the desert rose stand out amongst the dark sandstone outcrops. Dry sand rivers lined with shady thorn trees intersect the landscape. Carnivores include the striped and spotted hyena, the side-striped and golden jackal, cheetah, lion and other small cats including caracal. Sibiloi is also a birders paradise with wonderful water birds along the shoreline including pelicans, numerous species of Heron, ducks, flamingos, gulls and the African Skimmer.

Accommodation in Lake Turkana

Images of Lake Turkana