Lake Turkana National Parks

Lake Turkana National Parks encompass lakeside, island and shoreline areas in northern Kenya that combine outstanding natural habitats with internationally significant palaeoanthropological and archaeological sites.

The lake and its islands support assemblages of waterbirds, crocodiles and unique desert-lake ecosystems, while shoreline and adjacent plains contain archaeological localities and fossil beds with remains of early hominins and fauna. Protected islands within the lake provide breeding sites and volcanic landforms to explore.

The lake basin formed through Rift Valley tectonics and has been a focal point for human and animal populations for millions of years; systematic palaeoanthropological research in the 20th century identified numerous fossil hominins and stone tool occupations that document human evolution.

The property lies in northern Kenya along the Lake Turkana basin, stretching from the lake shoreline into island and adjacent park areas; the main settlement and logistical centre for visits is the town of Lodwar on the lake’s western side.

• Largest permanent desert lake and fossil record: Lake Turkana is the world's largest permanent desert lake and an alkaline lake with major fossil deposits spanning several million years.
• Hominin fossil sites: Archaeological and palaeoanthropological sites around the lake have produced important hominin fossils and stone tool assemblages used in the study of human evolution.

What to See #

• Sibiloi National Park / Koobi Fora area: Sibiloi National Park and its surrounding archaeological localities on the eastern shore, noted for extensive fossil and hominin sites.
• Central and South Island National Parks: Central Island and South Island national parks within the lake that include breeding sites for birds and are volcanic in origin.