Tim and Lara Beth's Kenya Page

Lake Turkana

Lake Turkana, the subject of John Hillaby's Journey to the Jade Sea, is the destination of choice in northern Kenya as well as the largest permanent desert lake in the world. Called the Jade Sea because of the color of its waters when calm (which allows the algae to float on top), Lake Turkana extends from the Ethiopian border southwards for 250 kilometers (155 miles). Lake Turkana has no outlet, and the water which flows in from the Omo River of Ethiopia evaporates at an amazing 3-4 meters (over 10 feet) per year.The landscape is rough (to say the least) and the lake's waters can go from smooth as glass to extremely rough in a matter of minutes, but the lake is beautiful and has drawn people since it was discovered for the Western world in 1888 by Count Samuel Teleki von Szek and Ludwig von Hohnel (the expedition's biographer). These two Austrians named the lake Rudolf (after the Crown Prince of Austria), which stuck until the name was changed to Turkana in an effort at Kenyanization.

Turkana's fish are legendary in Kenya, with its Nile perch reaching weights of over 800 kilograms (over 360 pounds). Tilapia are also common, as are tigerfish, which are small pufferfish similar to those found on coral reefs. It also has more than its fair share of Nile crocodiles, as well as a healthy population of birdlife and a good many hippos. The birds include some European species, as well as the native great white pelican, yellow-billed stork, sacred ibis, African spoonbill, flamingo, African skimmer, and countless others.

Ferguson's Gulf Fishing Lodge (also called the Lake Turkana Fishing Lodge) is located on the west side of the lake and offers the highest concentration of birds on that side. You can also get boat trips out to Central Island and the national park which bears its name. The island itself is a triple volcano and covered by three crater lakes. It offers some bird watching and is the top breeding ground for the lake's many crocs. South Island may also be worth a visit, although it is primarily home to more goats than most people care to see in their lifetime.

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