From Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia

Lake Turkana

After some hundred kilometres in very arid regions, we finally reach Lake Turkana. On the photo, one can see the road that goes down toward the lake. Yes, in this rocky desert, there is really a lake.

On the following photos, you can see lake Turkana. It is a huge lake in the middle of a very arid zone. The lake is fed by the Omo River which takes its source in Ethiopia. In that country, the rains are more than enough to maintain the lake.

Reaching Lake Turkana.

The Turkana people live around the lake.

Gitane with a new friend.

We are relaxing... at around 40 degrees.

The lake's shore.

The lake's shore.

The lake's shore.

The lake's shore.

We spent the night at that spot. The winds have blown all night and we had the impressions that the vehicle would tip on the side.

The next day, we hit the road again.

Flamingoes.

A bit of life around the lake.

Life conditions are rough.

Around the lake, there are many tribes, such as the Turkana, who live in very harsh conditions. These peoples survive with the fish they catch and partly sell to the inhabitants of the Loyangalani village.

Looking at this small village, I say to myself that a foreigner used to luxury, as we are, would not survive a week in such conditions.

Sometimes, we reach an area with a bit of apparent life. Even though it is rare, some rain falls on this region. Life finds a way to thrive in this climate. When we passed through the region, no rain had fallen in the last 6 months or so. Wow!!!

There is rain at certain time of the year.

Village of Loyangalani

Camping Palm Shade.

In the middle of this desert, a village by the name of Loyangalani appears in the middle of nowhere. The village is near a water source, and some land owners are lucky with access to it.

A small oasis.

We stopped in this small paradise, and it was a great place. There was good food and even some warm beer.

Life conditions around the village remain rough. People are very poor and lives in small rudimentary huts.

Build with anything available.

Raja Castle.

House maintenance.

We drove some hundred kilometres since Nairobi and the landscape has changed from a fertile region to a desert. It is not over; we have a few hundred kilometres more to drive before reaching Ethiopia.

From Loyangalani to Ethiopia

We continue driving north.

Even though life conditions are rough, it is possible to see some animals and people living all around the lake and even in some remote and unimaginable area.

Near a village, this lady carries some wood that will be used for preparing meals.

Along Lake Turkana.

Along Lake Turkana.

Flamingoes.

Never-ending road through the desert.

The landscapes change a lot throughout the road, but one thing remains constant: it is a desert everywhere.

Not a good time for a breakdown!

Some shade for the lunch.

A small oasis and a caravan of dromedaries.

A caravan of dromedaries.

Some vultures are watching us... Not very reassuring in this area.

Village of Illeret. Last village before Ethiopia.
There are no services in this place, no fuel and no restaurant.
However, there is a police station... and some beers can be found.