Lake Turkana

Why visit Lake Turkana?

Lake Turkana is one of Kenya’s most powerful expedition destinations: a vast jade-green desert lake surrounded by volcanic terrain, arid plains and communities whose cultures have been shaped by the harsh northern environment. It is not a conventional safari stop but a journey into geology, archaeology, birdlife, cultural landscapes and extraordinary remoteness. The lake forms the heart of a wider UNESCO-listed natural landscape that includes protected islands and important fossil sites in the Turkana Basin. Central and South Island add volcanic scenery and major crocodile and bird habitats, while the shoreline and desert routes create some of the most dramatic road-trip landscapes in Kenya. Travel here requires time: distances are large, heat can be severe and infrastructure is limited compared with the main safari circuit. For Prince Safaris itinerary design, Lake Turkana works best as a purposeful Rift Valley or northern stop rather than a quick roadside photograph. We use its birding, boating, scenery or geological character to complement wildlife areas in Northern Kenya. Water levels, bird movements, weather and access can change, so the strongest itinerary leaves room for current local conditions.