Lake Turkana is a great saline lake located far in the northern Kenya within the Great Rift Valley. It is the world’s largest permanent desert lake and the world’s largest alkaline lake. Lake Turkana National Parks are constituted of Sibiloi National Park, the South Island and the Central Island National Parks, covering a total area of 161,485 hectares located within the Lake Turkana basin. Lake Turkana National Parks was declared as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997 and expanded in 2001 and the reason for the protected area to be used as stoppage point for migratory birds and also breeding ground for hippos, snakes and crocodiles. Sibiloi National Park lies on the lake’s eastern shore, while Central Island National Park and South Island National Park lie in the lake. Both are known for their Nile crocodiles. Koobi Fora located eastern shores of Lake Turkana, is an archeological site where abundance of hominid fossils have been discovered. River Omo, Turkwel and Kerio flow into the lake but the lake lacks outlet.
Wildlife and Attractions in the Lake Turkana National Park
Lake Turkana and its surrounding is a home to different species of birds including the migratory birds and other like; little stint, wood sandpiper and common sandpiper, african skimmer, white -breasted cormorant, greater flamingos and heuglins bustard. Lake Turkana Contain Largest number of Nile crocodiles and water turtles. Over the dry grassland around the lake parks; there animal’s species like Grevy’s zebra, Burchell’s zebra, the beisa oryx, Grant’s gazelle, the topi and the reticulated giraffe. They are hunted by the lion and the cheetah
Accessibility
Lake Turkana is located in northern Kenya, 665km/414mi north of Nairobi. Loiyangalani on the southeastern shore is accessible by chartered flight or on organized truck trips. Charter flights are also available to Sibiloi. There are scheduled flights to Lodwar on the western side of the lake.
