Lake Turkana

Northern Kenya, Kenya

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Lake Turkana is a large lake in northern Kenya, stretching partly into Ethiopia. It is the world’s largest permanent desert lake and the largest alkaline lake on Earth. The lake lies in the Eastern Rift Valley, in a region that is very hot, dry, and remote. Lake Turkana is sometimes called the Jade Sea because of its greenish color.

The lake is about 250–290 kilometers long but only 15–32 kilometers wide, and its depth can reach up to 109 meters in the deepest areas. It covers a surface area of about 6,400 square kilometers. Three main rivers flow into the lake: the Omo, Turkwel, and Kerio. Among them, only the Omo River flows all year round and supplies about 90% of the lake’s water. Lake Turkana does not have any outlet, so water is lost only through evaporation, making the water brackish and not suitable for drinking or irrigation.

The area around Lake Turkana is sparsely populated, with many people practicing pastoralism, fishing, and some farming to survive in the harsh conditions. The region is one of the poorest in Kenya, and many people do not have easy access to clean water. Despite this, the lake supports a rich variety of life. There are about 50 species of fish—some found nowhere else—as well as more than 350 species of birds and mammals like giraffes, zebras, and elephants living nearby.

Lake Turkana is famous for its unique wildlife and striking landscapes. Several national parks around the lake are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Scientists also value the Turkana Basin for its important fossils, which have helped them understand human evolution.