Travels around the world 2009-2024
Exploring our beautiful planet

From Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia

October 4, 2013  —  Kenya

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.

Lake Turkana - Kenya
Reaching Lake Turkana.
Lake Turkana - Kenya
The Turkana people live around the lake.
Lake Turkana - Kenya
Gitane with a new friend.
Lake Turkana - Kenya
We are relaxing... at around 40 degrees.
Lake Turkana - Kenya
The lake's shore.
Lake Turkana - Kenya
The lake's shore.
Lake Turkana - Kenya
The lake's shore.
Lake Turkana - Kenya
The lake's shore.
Lake Turkana - Kenya
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.
Lake Turkana - Kenya
The next day, we hit the road again.
Lake Turkana - Kenya
Flamingoes.
Lake Turkana - Kenya
A bit of life around the lake.
Maralal to Lake Turkana road - Kenya
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!!!

Lake Turkana - Kenya
There is rain at certain time of the year.
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Village of Loyangalani

Loyangalani - Kenya
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.

Loyangalani - Kenya
A small oasis.

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

Loyangalani - Kenya
Loyangalani - Kenya
Life conditions around the village remain rough. People are very poor and lives in small rudimentary huts.
Loyangalani - Kenya
Build with anything available.
Loyangalani - Kenya
Raja Castle.
Loyangalani - Kenya
Loyangalani - Kenya
House maintenance.
Loyangalani - Kenya

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.

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From Loyangalani to Ethiopia

Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya

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.

Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Along Lake Turkana.
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Along Lake Turkana.
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Flamingoes.
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Never-ending road through the desert.
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
The landscapes change a lot throughout the road, but one thing remains constant: it is a desert everywhere.
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Not a good time for a breakdown!
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Some shade for the lunch.
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
A small oasis and a caravan of dromedaries.
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
A caravan of dromedaries.
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Some vultures are watching us... Not very reassuring in this area.
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
Lake Turkana up to Ethiopia - Kenya
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.