Lake Turkana is the world’s largest permanent desert lake, a vast body of jade-green water set within the stark, volcanic landscape of northern Kenya. Its remote location and striking colour, caused by high concentrations of algae, have earned it the name the Jade Sea, and its shores remain one of the least-visited corners of the country.

The lake and surrounding region hold significant archaeological importance, with fossil discoveries along its shores contributing to the understanding of early human evolution alongside sites such as Olduvai Gorge further south. Nomadic communities including the Turkana and El Molo continue traditional ways of life along the lake’s harsh, arid shoreline.

Reaching Lake Turkana involves either a flight or a long overland journey through remote northern Kenya, making it a destination for travellers with a specific interest in remote landscapes, geology or cultural encounters rather than a typical add-on to a standard safari.