A trip to Lake Turkana is, by necessity, a camping expedition rather than a lodge-based holiday. The remoteness that keeps the region so untouched also means accommodation infrastructure is minimal, and most visitors travel with organised overland trips carrying their own camping equipment, food and fuel supplies for the multi-day journey north.
Routes typically run through towns like Maralal, Baragoi and Loyangalani, crossing increasingly arid and dramatic terrain as the lake approaches — volcanic hills, dry riverbeds and desert plains that shift in character noticeably from Kenya's greener central highlands. Camps are usually set up en route and around the lakeshore itself, with wind, heat and the sheer scale of the landscape all part of the experience.
What to prepare for
- Book through an experienced overland operator with proper vehicles, navigation and safety planning for this route.
- Heat and strong winds around the lake are constant factors — proper tents and sun protection are essential.
- Water and fuel supplies need careful planning; towns en route have limited resources.
- Allow at least 5–7 days round trip from Nairobi to properly experience the lake without rushing the journey.
It's the most demanding trip on this list, but also the most rewarding for travellers seeking Kenya's true wilderness edge — a proper expedition into one of the most remote and scientifically significant landscapes in Africa.
