Lake Turkana

Ask many people where the world’s largest permanent desert lake and the world’s largest alkaline lake is found and you will probably get answers like the sahara desert or in Califorinia. But did you know that it is actually found in Kenya?

Formerly known as Lake Rudolf, Lake Turkana is a lake in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, with its far northern end crossing into Ethiopia.

Due to temperature, aridity and geographic inaccessibility, the lake retains its wild character. Nile crocodiles are found in great abundance on the flats. The rocky shores are home to scorpions and carpet vipers. Although the lake and its environs have been popular for expeditions of every sort under the tutelage of guides, rangers and experienced persons, they certainly must be considered hazardous for unguided tourists.

Lake Turkana National Parks are now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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 crocodiles.

The lake was named Lake Rudolf (in honor of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria) by Count Sámuel Teleki de Szék and his second-in-command Lieutenant Ludwig Ritter Von Höhnel, a Hungarian and an Austrian , in 1888. They were its first European discoverers, “finding” it on safari across East Africa on March 6, 1888. It was never really lost, of course, having long been known to the native tribes of the region. They include the Turkana, Rendille, Gabbra, Daasanach, Hamar Koke, Karo, Nyagatom, Mursi, Surma and Molo.