Lake Turkana, formerly called Lake Rudolf, is a large, shallow lake in the Rift Valley of Kenya with a small Northern portion of it crossing into Ethiopia. The lake is also called the Jade Sea due to its greenish color, caused by suspended sediments. It is the world’s largest alkaline lake by area, and also the world’s largest permanent desert lake.
The lake has an area of about 6,400 square kilometers (2,500 sq mi). The lake has a maximum depth of 109 meters (358 ft) and an average depth of 30 meters (98 ft). The main rivers flowing into the lake are the Omo (from Ethiopia), Koima, Tana, and Galana. The lake has no outlet; most of its water loss occurs through evaporation.
Lake Turkana is home to over 60 species of fish, a number of which are not found anywhere else in the world. These include the Nile perch (Lates niloticus), which was introduced in the 1960s and has become an important commercial fish, as well as tilapia and catfish.
The Lake Turkana National Parks are within the lake’s basin. This group of parks (Sibiloi national park and the two Central and South Islands) contains various migratory birds, the Nile crocodiles, hippos, and snakes.
Lake Turkana is a great place to visit in Kenya where visitors can enjoy Eliye Springs Beach. The lake offers a variety of activities such as canoeing, swimming, fishing, and kite surfing. There are also many lodges and campsites around the lake where visitors can stay.
Must Read: A Travel Guide to Kenya