The Historical Wonders of Lake Turkana, Kenya

Kenya is one of the top tourist destinations in the continent of Africa, and the reason is its diverse nature and landscape. Most of the tourists come to Kenya to enjoy the remarkable wildlife of its national parks. The safari experience here ranks one of the top two in the world. The other being in the national parks of Tanzania, of course. But game viewing is hardly the only attraction of the country; you will agree if you have visited the gorgeous Lake Turkana. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is the largest lake found in any desert area of the planet.

Topography and arrival

This lunar landscape that stretches on an area of 300 km long and 94 km wide; is a perfect place to unravel. Also famously known as the Jade Sea, due to the turquoise hues in the water; it was renamed Lake Turkana in 1975. The area rose to fame in the previous century when the archaeologists found out the oldest fossils of the modern man in the middle of the lake. The vicinity is not the most visited part of the country, and there is no major airport in the region as well. If you are arriving from abroad; you will have to take a flight to Nairobi. Afterward, you can hire a 4wd to make the rough 650 km journey to the Lake Turkana. Beware though; this journey is only for the adventurous kind.  The road is a mere track in some parts, while in some other parts it’s just a lava field. So it will require a suitable vehicle and excellent navigation to make this journey. There are a few lodges in the area that cater to all kind of visitors. Some of them do have the facility of providing the tourists with a chartered flight, but that will be a costly option.The landscape of the lake is truly gorgeous; the lake itself changes colour with the wind. Most of the lodges in the region provide the tourists with a guided tour. If you are a decent driver and have GPS, then you can explore it by yourself as well.

When at the Lake

The fact that the large Nile Crocodiles flock by the lake is what makes the trip even more exciting. You can also hire a boat to explore the lake itself and watch the crocodiles up close. There are three large islands in the lake; the central one is a designated national park and is considered as the breeding ground of the crocodiles. If you are fond of sports or fishing, then Lake Turkana will be your paradise. It has a lot of fish species in its water. Snorkelling or scuba diving in the lake is not recommended because of the high population of the crocodiles. If you are interested in game viewing then do pay a visit to Sibiloi National Park, which is although an arid landscape, but has an abundance of different wildlife species.

Turkana also has a wide range of bird species; for which exclusive safaris are planned. Recorded species include; Pink-backed Pelican, Greater Flamingo, and the Sur Winged Plover. Some rare sightings saw the Banded Snake Eagle and African Skimmer too. There are quite a few settlements of the local tribes in and around the region, and they always welcome the tourists. So if you are looking for a unique cultural experience; pay a visit to one of their homes.

An Ecological Paradise

Lake Turkana serves as an excellent study spot for zoological, botanical, and archaeological enthusiasts. The Koobi Fora deposits here are rich in fossil fuel remains, and have great significance in the study of Paleolithic human environments. The place is also known as the ‘cradle of mankind’.  10,000 year-old fossils were found of people; primarily identified as hunter-gatherers. Being the most alkaline lake; the surrounding area is arid and seems lifeless. The environmental conditions formed in the lake over the years are vital for the continued survival of so many species of flora and fauna. Now there are almost 400 bird species supported by the lake. Under the Kenya Wildlife Act, this environment enjoys the highest level of protection. The best time to visit the lake is during the later or early months of the year. Several bus companies also offer visitor tours to the lake from the settlement regions.

You can even indulge yourself in the local tribal dances of the Turkana men and women. Glistening, beautiful skins against the contrasting tribal dresses; it a sight not to be missed. If you are a true nature enthusiast, this will be a paradise for you. See the zebras graze, the jackals’ hunt and the flamingoes balance on their spindly legs. You can even view the excavated fossils of the pre-humans, humans, and saber-tooth cats found here. For a history buff, there is no place better!