Lake Turkana

Why people go

Turkana is the largest desert lake in the world and the colour of jade, from algae. It sits in a volcanic landscape at the northern end of the Rift Valley, and it is genuinely remote — this is a place you fly to.

The surrounding basin has produced more early hominin fossils than anywhere else on earth, including Turkana Boy. The archaeological sites are visitable with the right permits and guide.

This is not a first safari. It is for travellers who have been to Kenya before and want somewhere that does not feel like anywhere else, and it rewards people who are comfortable with real heat and basic infrastructure.

What you will actually do

• The Jade Sea and the Central Island crater lakes
• Koobi Fora and the hominin fossil sites
• Turkana, El Molo and Samburu communities around the lake
• Genuine remoteness — light aircraft access only