Attractions in Turkana County
19. Ferguson Gulf
More impressive for its potential rather than the location itself, Ferguson Gulf, found on the western shore of Lake Turkana, mostly utilized as a place to board the hop-on hop-off boat taxis to Central Island National Park, was once poised to be one of the largest fishing ports in Kenya. It is widely suggested that Lake Turkana is the largest, virtually untapped, fishing resource within Kenya. In an attempt to thrive this untapped asset, a fishery station had been set up in 1964 at Ferguson Gulf to encourage and assist the local Turkana to scale-up fishing. Even so, the fishery station was in dead water from the onset and its challenges originated back to back. The problem of transporting fish to Lodwar, 60 kms away on an all weather road, was the first of many setbacks to stall the project. Still largely a fishing spot, typified by a sandy ridge overgrown by doum palm trees, Ferguson Gulf is not where it was imagined, though it’s still an impressive landscape containing a respectable number of flamingos and pelicans. It is also the usual jumping-off spot for adventure-fishing at Lake Turkana: Kenya’s most notable fishing destinations, and which, since the early 1900’s, made its distinct reputation of being the first-rated destination for Nile perch fishing enthusiasts.
20. Central Island National Park
Central Island National Park, the second largest of the triad of islands in Lake Turkana, is aggrandized for its three separate crater lake tubes which hold three beguiling lakes filled with emerald-green water. Each of these lakes – Flamingo Lake, Tilapia Lake and Crocodile Lake – are named after the native inhabitants; with the latter providing breeding grounds for the world’s largest concentration of Nile crocodiles. Central Island is within reach of many sites of interest about Turkana County and easily accessed on a short boat ride from various bays like Ferguson Gulf and Eliye Springs. It’s located 5 kms coastal from Ferguson Gulf.
21. Lokallalei Site
From Kalokol the road which is motorable throughout year marches along the shores of Lake Turkana, passing through Kataboi, a much-liked fishing spot. It provides memorable views of Lake Turkana and on the opposite side of road the vast plain before arriving at Nachukui. Lokallalei, forming part of the Nachukui Formation, is the oldest archaeological site along the Rift Valley System and its importance in the understanding of hominid “knapping activity,” the early days hominidal tool factories, and technical artistry (dating back 2.34 Mya) makes it an important location in the understanding of human evolution. Lokalallei Site is found at the edge of the Lake Turkana and lies about 61 kms north of Kalokol.
Nachukui Formation, is a sedimentary sequence, 730 ms thick, that includes deposits from formation members including the Lonyumun (4.2-4 million years ago or Ma), Kataboi (3.9-3.4 Ma), Lomekwi (3.4-2.5 Ma), Lokalalei (2.5-2.3 Ma), Kalochoro (2.3–1.9 Ma), Kaitio (1.9–1.6 Ma), Natoo (1.6–1.3 Ma), and Nariokotome (1.3–0.6 Ma). Most deposits fer formed under lacustrine, fluvial and alluvial fan contexts including remains of the Kenyanthropus.
22. Nariokotome Boy Monument
Turkana is home a handful of the monumental archaeological locates in Kenya, many of which have garnered plenty of global interest. One of the unsurpassed archaeological finds in Turkana, spiritedly excavated in 1984 by a team led by Richard Leakey, is the simply named Turkana or Nariokotome Boy symbolic of the area where it was excavated. This is one of the world’s earliest discovered hominids: A nearly complete skeleton of a “Homo erectus” youth who lived 1.6 million years ago. It is, by far, the most complete early hominid skeleton found. Turkana or Nariokotome Boy added to a very impressive history of the study of pre-human narratives in Turkana County, consequently christened a Cradle of Mankind. The original Turkana or Nariokotome Boy was relocated to a climate controlled safe at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi – catalog number KNM-WT 15000. At Nariokotome, a monument bearing the replica of Turkana Boy and the tall monumental obelisk are symbolic of Turkana Boy’s value in the story of evolution. A trip to this site should not omit a visit to the Nariokotome Catholic Mission Church and lagoons of Nariokotome from where the Northern Island is superbly sighted. Nariokotome Site is located 81 kms north of Kalokol.
23. Nariokotome Catholic Mission
Not too far from the Nariokotome Boy Monument sits one of the most beautiful village Churches you’ll ever set your eyes opon in Kenya. With its unparalleled beauty of landscape, set midpoint between the lake and the mountains (Murua Rith), the Nariokotome Catholic Mission is blessed with a timeless charm that is only amplified by its near desolate surrounding. Established in 1993 by Mons. John C. Mahon, the then Bishop of Lodwar, it appreciably adds to the beauty of Nariokotome in an unobtrusive and graceful way. Its roughcast finish topped by a mosaic of stones fetched from this area shows care and respect for the region, and, in many ways, makes this shrine part of the landscape. “Inside the catholic church of Nariokotome; the beautiful building is airy and friendly and offers a view onto Lake Turkana. The church’s bell bears inscriptions in four languages: Turkana, Kiswahili, English and German” – TurkanaLand. The Nariokotome Mission is also the Mother House of the MCSPA worldwide. It is at the center of building dams, drilling boreholes, establishing dispensaries, and aiding schools.
24. North Island
North Island within Lake Turkana is most notable as the only island of its large islands not to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 2 kms wide North Island is also the most compact and the northernmost of the three major volcanic islands in Lake Turkana. Similar to the other two, this is endowed with a hatful of wildlife notably of hippos, crocodiles and fowls. It also offers great fishing adventures. While North Island is not a popular touring destination, the aerial view of its 1 km ring enclosing smaller older rings in middle of the island are especial and entrancing. It is located 16 kms coastal from Nariokotome Bay.
25. The Golden Hill
The 121 kms journey from Kalokol to Lokitaung (30 kms north of Nariokotome) finally reaches the Golden Hill, a title that recalls the perceived deposits of gold believed to exist on the hill. When mining commences it will permanently alter a most impressive landscape. And likewise, it will reaffirm Turkana as Kenya’s number-one mining frontier which was confirmed by the 2012 discovery of oil. If, instead of doubling back through Nariokotome and Kataboi back to Kalokol, one proceeds westerly, the Mlangoni Gorge is guaranteed to make this decision worthwhile. Here, the road goes through the Mlangoni Gorge at nearly 1,000 ft deep, with precipitous sides, before reemerging on the plains to the views of the Lapurr Range. From here, there is a death-or-glory 150 kms route to Makutano terminating halfway between Kakuma and Lodwar. From Lokitaung, northerly heading, the road terminates at Todenyang which roughly marks the northern tip of Kenya. Lining up to the west, 140 kms away, Nadapal marks the other tip.