Journey Through the Kenyan Bush to Lake Turkana
Published by Spencer Spellman, Writer
Country: South Africa 
The Experience
Not only is Kenya home to one of the most well-known mountainous landmarks in the world, it's also home to one of the most renowned lakes in the world—Lake Turkana.
Lake Turkana is both the world's largest desert lake and largest alkaline lake, and is found in the north of Kenya's Rift Valley lakes, with the Lake’s northern side stretching into Ethiopia. It has a deeply-rooted history stretching back thousands of years, and many parts of the Lake and surrounding area have been the location for excavation expeditions to uncover fossils.
Located 400 miles north of Nairobi, Lake Turkana isn't exactly in the midst of everything. Visitors aren't typically going to come across it unless they are on a long safari. The Lake is about 200 miles long and 40 miles across at its widest point, and with its salt and alkaline makeup, the water of Lake Turkana is certainly not for drinking. It's often referred to as the Jade Sea because of its unique tint resulting from surface algae.
With its location deep in the African desert, Kenya’s Lake Turkana typically attracts adventure travellers who want to trek the rugged terrain in the Great Rift Valley, although many curious minds come out to the edge of Lake Turkana to see what it's all about. The shores of the Lake are rugged and rocky, requiring the same type of shoes visitors would wear for hiking. Though located in the desert, Lake Turkana can have surprisingly strong wind bursts and storms that come up quickly. These conditions make it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts who want a change of pace. It's no smooth ride even to get to the Lake, as the road reaching the eastern shore is very bumpy and hardly a road at times.
Although separated from most of civilization, Lake Turkana has a vibrant wildlife. Some outdoor enthusiasts even enjoy taking a long safari that covers areas of the unique lake to get a glimpse of it and the wildlife of the surrounding area. As recent as a couple of decades ago, it was reported that the Lake was home to over 10,000 Nile crocodiles. The local area is also home to large water turtles, hundreds of bird species, and many of the classic African mammals, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, gazelles and zebras.
Lake Turkana is both the world's largest desert lake and largest alkaline lake, and is found in the north of Kenya's Rift Valley lakes, with the Lake’s northern side stretching into Ethiopia. It has a deeply-rooted history stretching back thousands of years, and many parts of the Lake and surrounding area have been the location for excavation expeditions to uncover fossils.
Located 400 miles north of Nairobi, Lake Turkana isn't exactly in the midst of everything. Visitors aren't typically going to come across it unless they are on a long safari. The Lake is about 200 miles long and 40 miles across at its widest point, and with its salt and alkaline makeup, the water of Lake Turkana is certainly not for drinking. It's often referred to as the Jade Sea because of its unique tint resulting from surface algae.
With its location deep in the African desert, Kenya’s Lake Turkana typically attracts adventure travellers who want to trek the rugged terrain in the Great Rift Valley, although many curious minds come out to the edge of Lake Turkana to see what it's all about. The shores of the Lake are rugged and rocky, requiring the same type of shoes visitors would wear for hiking. Though located in the desert, Lake Turkana can have surprisingly strong wind bursts and storms that come up quickly. These conditions make it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts who want a change of pace. It's no smooth ride even to get to the Lake, as the road reaching the eastern shore is very bumpy and hardly a road at times.
Although separated from most of civilization, Lake Turkana has a vibrant wildlife. Some outdoor enthusiasts even enjoy taking a long safari that covers areas of the unique lake to get a glimpse of it and the wildlife of the surrounding area. As recent as a couple of decades ago, it was reported that the Lake was home to over 10,000 Nile crocodiles. The local area is also home to large water turtles, hundreds of bird species, and many of the classic African mammals, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, gazelles and zebras.
When to Go to Lake Turkana
The climate can often be brutal year-round at Lake Turkana, so there's no one time of year that's overwhelmingly better than another. Since it's in the desert, it's typically dry throughout the year, but the biggest weather consideration is the strong wind gusts and storms that can sometimes crop up out of nowhere.
Odds n' Ends
In the Kenyan desert, Lake Turkana is not for novice explorers. The land is very rugged and there's little civilization nearby. As such, explorers should always travel in a large group and consider a travel guide who knows the area well. The same preparations should be made for exploring Lake Turkana as when hiking. Sturdy hiking boots are recommended when walking around shores, since most of the land is so rocky. Because of the conditions and climate, many visitors often take a side trip to the Lake while on a safari.
More Experiences Nearby
- Live Life on the Edge by Climbing Mount Kenya
- With its highest peak standing at 17,057 feet, climbing Mount Kenya is no walk in the park by any means. Located in Mount Kenya National Park, it is the second highest peak in Africa, behind Mount Kilimanjaro, which stands at 19,334 feet. Though it may not carry the same status as some of its cohorts, including Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Everest, climbing Mount Kenya is still one of the top summits in the world to ascend. Men and women from around the world travel to Kenya each year for the sole task of trying to conquer this great mountain and ...280 miles away.
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