Why Turkana North is a unique tourist destination

Nabuyatom crater, a geographical marvel on Lake Turkana-a caldera that was formed after a volcano collapsed [Courtesy]

What you may not know is that Turkana is a unique tourism destination that offers you and any thrill-seeking adventurer the chance to chat out their own experience; swimming in Lake Turkana, hiking Lodwar Hill, fishing in the lake or checking out the breeding grounds of the crocodile, flamingos and tilapia in Central Island’s three crater lakes. 

Looking for a cultural experience? With prior arrangement, you can visit a traditional village and get immersed in the rich cultural heritage of the Turkana people that has remained resilient to the pressures of quick modernisation and abandonment. 

However, off the beaten path, you should consider exploring Turkana North. It gives you the overwhelming experience of connecting to mankind’s one true ancestor, intact evidence of Kenya’s colonial past, cultural heritage sites and an open road with scenic landscape views. The vast wilderness, untouched by modern civilisation and the occasional grazing camels, sheep and goats, will give you the inner peace and tranquillity that makes you forget if only for a few hours or a day or two, the hum-drum of our busy lives. 

Therefore, landing at the Lodwar airstrip means that the open road adventure had just begun. Turkana is a vast county, the second largest after its neighbour Marsabit as well as sharing Lake Turkana, and you can either drive towards the Ugandan or South Sudan border. 

To the Ugandan border is only three hours away from Lodwar while to South Sudan one is five hours with a chance to visit Kakuma, one of the most famous refugee camps in Sub-Sahara like Dadaab (in Garissa County) and Bidi Bidi (in Northern Uganda). In each of these two routes, offers scenic drives, a chance to interact with the locals and hiking. Do not be tempted though, with four-wheel drive and preferably with a tour guide head North, a great adventure awaits.

This road trip adventure is a round trip starting from Lodwar through the fishing villages of Kalokol, Kataboi, Nachukui, Lowereng’ak onto Lokitaung’, Kachoda, Riokomor, Nareng’ewoi back to Katoboi then back to Lodwar. 

In addition, one can experience sport fishing at the lake or take a 15min boat ride to Northern Island which is mainly a fishing village with scenic views.

Along the way, you will have a chance to visit cultural heritage sites; the utmost being Nariokotome where the Turkana Boy was discovered which serves as evidence that this part of Kenya is the home of mankind. 

Turkana Boy monument at Nariokotome [Courtesy]

Namorutung’a

Less than an hour away from Lodwar and not far from Kalokol, the standing stones of Namorutung’a where you are expected to place pebbles on top of them (do not carry the pebbles with you, though). Placing the stones is a sign of respect and acknowledgement that you honour the souls buried there. 

Lokitoe-Ang’aberu

At Kataboi, there is a site of massacre, sounds morbid, of women who had gone gathering firewood but were attacked and killed by an enemy tribe. Fortunately, from this dark moment, people choose to promote peaceful co-existence amongst them. To give respect to the women, you are expected to pick four stones and drop one by one while going round the site – four times as well.  Why four? It is the perfect complete number according to the Turkana people. Or the pouring of water is acceptable. 

A tourist pours water on the Kataboi graves in honour of the dead [Courtesy]

Nariokotome– “Turkana Boy”

One hour later from Kataboi, you get to the Nariokotome monument with a replica of the Turkana Boy fossil skeleton discovered in 1984 by KamoyaKimeu (a team member of the world-famous paleoanthropologist Dr Richard Leakey). This 1.5 to 1.6 million-old fossil put Turkana on the global map as the “origin of mankind”. It is also the county slogan too. This is the place to take a moment and marvel at one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world and well worth the visit. 

With the villages near-by, you can experience cultural immersion; with the villagers putting on traditional dances and visiting their kraals. You can get the opportunity to buy souvenirs. 

In the same area is the Catholic Mission, dubbed by the locals “Little Spain”, where you can visit to experience agricultural tourism and there is accommodation as well. 

Nariokotome, the site where Turkana Boy fossil was discovered [Courtesy]

Lowareng’ak - Emulango

From the monument, through the fishing village of Lowareng’akto Lokitaung’ through Emulango. This is a 14-km gouge between the Lapur Hills and on its floor River Lokitaung’. When driving through, one gets breathtaking views of unique geographical features and great camping and hiking locations. If pass-through, have a picnic under the cool shade of the huge native trees along the way. 

Lokitaung’

It was founded by the British during the colonial times as the administration centre for the northern frontier. Does this town sound familiar? During the fight for Kenya’s independence, Jomo Kenyatta and his co-accused (Paul Ngei, Fred Kubai, Kung’uKarumba, BildadKaggia and Achieng’ Oneko) were jailed for almost ten years before relocated to Kapenguria. It is a quiet centre with old colonial building including were Kenyatta was held.

One of the most interesting finds in the town is the “forgotten” red phone booth outside the closed post office. Perfect place to take creative photos. 

An old Catholic Church on the fringes of Lodwar town [Courtesy]

To head back to Lodwar, taking a different route through Kachoda, Riokomor to Nareng’ewoi will get you the perfect view of Lake Turkana’s Northern Island. Be sure to stop over at Riokomor to take photos at the beautiful, quaint catholic church. Before heading to Kataboi then Lodwar.