Lake Turkana
Called The Jade Sea Because Of Its Deep Green Color, Lake Turkana Is A Huge Inland Sea Surrounded By Semidesert Near The Ethiopian Border, Three Days Of Hard Driving Over Rough Terrain From Nairobi.
Formerly Named Lake Rudolf, This Huge Lake Is Over 175 Miles (280 Km) Long And 10 To 30 Miles (16-48 Km) Wide, Set In A Lunar-Like Landscape Of Lava Rocks, Dried Up River Beds And Scattered Oases.
The Brown Omo River Flows From The Ethiopian Highlands Into The Northern Part Of The Lake Where The Water Is Fairly Fresh, But Becomes Increasingly Saline Further South Due To Intense Evaporation. The Presence Of Puffer Fish Implies That The Lake Was At One Time Connected To The Mediterranean Sea By The River Nile.
One Of The Continent’s Largest Populations Of Crocodiles Is Found Here. Because The Bitter Alkaline Waters Render Their Skins Useless For Commercial Trade, Crocodiles Are Not Hunted And Grow To Abnormally Large Sizes. Although The Water Is Very Tempting In Such A Hot, Dry Climate, Swim Only At Your Own Risk!Fishing Is A Major Attraction. Nile Perch, The World’s Largest Freshwater Fish, Can Exceed 400 Pounds (180 Kg). Tigerfish, However, Put Up A More Exciting Fight. The El Molo Tribe, The Smallest Tribe In Kenya (About 500 Members), Can Be Found Near Loiyangalani.
Central Island National Park, A Two-Square-Mile (5 Km2) Island Containing Three Volcanic Cones, Is The Most Highly Concentrated Breeding Ground Of Crocodiles In Africa. Half-Day Excursions Are Available From Lake Turkana Lodge. Excursions To South Island National Park, Also Volcanic And Full Of Crocodiles, Are Available From The Oasis Lodge.
Easiest Access To The Park Is By Small Aircraft. Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Are Necessary. Loiyangalani Is About 415 Miles (665 Km) And Ferguson’s Gulf About 500 Miles (805 Km) North Of Nairobi.
Accommodation - Class C: * Lake Turkana Lodge, Situ¬ated On The Western Shore Of The Lake On Ferguson’s Gulf, Has Thatched Roof, Double Bandas With Private Facilities, And Swim¬ming Pool. Fishing Boats And Equipment Are Available For Hire. Excursions To Central Island National Park Are Available. * Oasis Lodge, Located On The Southeastern Shore Of The Lake At Loiyangalani, Has 24 Basic Cottages With Facilities Ensuite, Two Swimming Pools, Fishing Boats And Equipment For Hire. Excur¬sions To South Island National Park Are Available.
Class D: * El Molo Lodge Has Bandas.
Camping: At El Molo Lodge, Sunset Strip Campsite And El Molo Bay.
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