Lake Turkana
The Jade Sea: the world's largest desert lake and the cradle of humankind.
Lake Turkana stretches into Kenya's far north, a jade-green desert lake ringed by volcanic shores. The Lake Turkana National Parks, Sibiloi, Central Island and South Island, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Koobi Fora in Sibiloi, Richard Leakey's team found the skull known as 1470 in 1972, about 2 million years old. It is an expedition, not a game drive: for travellers who want somewhere almost nobody goes.
Turkana at a glance
| Distance | About 800 km north of Nairobi to Sibiloi |
|---|---|
| By air | Nairobi to Lodwar about 2 hours, then road and boat. Charter flights land closer |
| By road | About 3 days via Marsabit and North Horr, or via Maralal to Loiyangalani on the south-east shore |
| Sibiloi fee | About USD 40 per non-resident adult per day |
| Best months | June and July are coolest. December to March is very hot; strong winds affect boats |
| Highlights | Koobi Fora fossils, Central Island crater lakes and crocodiles, Loiyangalani, El Molo and Turkana communities |
| Trip length | 5 days flying, 8 days or more overland |
For the fastest access, see helicopter safaris via the Suguta Valley.
Sources
Checked 6 October 2026. Third-party prices are typical market rates; your written quote confirms the exact figure.
Questions
How do I get to Lake Turkana from Nairobi?
Fly to Lodwar in about 2 hours and continue by road and boat, charter closer, or drive about 3 days via Marsabit.
Is Lake Turkana a UNESCO site?
Yes. Sibiloi, Central Island and South Island national parks are listed as the Lake Turkana National Parks.
When is the best time to visit Lake Turkana?
June and July, the coolest months with calmer boat crossings.
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