Rift Valley · County · Kenya
Turkana
Remote north-western county on the shores of Lake Turkana, the "Jade Sea": the UNESCO Lake Turkana National Parks (Sibiloi, Central Island and South Island), the Koobi Fora fossil sites (Cradle of Mankind) and Turkana and El Molo cultures.
Know this county · verified 2026-09-16
June to October and January to March (dry seasons) are best; it is hot and arid year-round, so travel prepared.
3 to 6 days
Lodwar is about 700 km / 12-plus hours by road from Nairobi via Kitale, or reached by flights to Lodwar; Sibiloi and the islands need boats, flights or long 4x4 drives.
A 4x4 with a local guide is essential; boats reach Central and South islands; matatus and buses serve Lodwar and Kitale.
Take extra care: the region is remote with sporadic banditry on some routes. Travel with local guides, keep to advised routes and check official advisories.
Police, ambulance and fire: 999 or 112 (also 911).
Lodwar County Referral Hospital (Lodwar town).
Mobile and M-Pesa coverage in Lodwar and larger towns; little to none in the parks and desert.
adventurous and expedition travellers; anthropology and fossil enthusiasts; culture and photography lovers