Attractions in Turkana County
26. Turkana Basin Institute
The southern area of Turkana County, or the area south of Lodwar Town sitting almost bang in the middle of the county, is in much the same league in places of interest as the northern area just alluded to en passant. Turkana Basin Institute found 50 kms west Lodwar is specially worth the drop-in by trippers interested in the prehistory of man. Founded by the renown paleo-anthropologist Richard E. Leakey in conjunction with Stony Brook University, this aims to advance the studies on Human Histories and Related Earth. The Turkana Basin Institute has two operational field centers, at Turkwel and at Illeret, that both contribute to the understanding of early human pre-history. Turkana County, of course, has a long history of research in unearthing human origins and evolution and this center is a huge-step forward in advancing this school of knowledge. The Turkana Basin Institute is patronized by students, experts and researchers from the world over who converge here to gain valuable experience in the fields of anthropology and paleontology. A trip to Turkana County, which is revered as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’, cannot omit a visit to one or more “human pre-history sites.” And T.B.I is a one-stop-shop. It is also within easy reach of Eliye Springs.
27. Lothagam Valley
The exemplary Lothagam Valley found near the shores of Lake Turkana, which it was part of until just 8000 years ago, is not only one of the geologically varied and scenically-rich areas along the shores of Lake Turkana but is also one of the most intriguing historically. As it goes, 5000 years ago the first people to settle here built a medieval settlement which would have been at the littorals of Lake Turkana. In 2017, a team of experts led by Turkana Basin Institute unearthed the 120 m2 ‘ancient burial shrine’ containing the remains of 600 men, women and children. It also contained a vast holding of ornaments and other artefacts. “Lothagam is about an hour away from TBI Turkwel. Geologically, it is known for its distinctive red sediment beds that were laid down during the late Miocene, about 7 million years ago. Because of the tectonic activities in the basin over millions of years, the beds have been tilted, deformed and eroded. Some of the iron-rich sediments have been slowly chiseled away by rain, leaving behind winding gullies and gorges. The landscapes are so stunningly bleak that they resemble the surface of Mars. Because of the lack of vegetation and shade, a typical day in Lothagam is very challenging, with temperatures hitting 40oC”.
28. Andrew’s Cone
The step-sided scalp of the Andrew’s Cone set along the volcanic-barrier, that boldly separates Lakes Turkana and Logipi, whose rugged appearances results from erosion, is also known as Teleki’s Volcano. Or again as Likaiu. Geologically it is a scoria cone complex and part of the barrier volcanic complex to the south of Lake Turkana. It reaches a height of 213 ft. (65 m) and the complex stretches lengthwise in a east-west direction. Three main craters are set along the center of the barrier complex comprised of the cones Kalolenyang, Kakorinya, Likaiu West and Likaiu East. The largest crater of the three measures 80 ft. (24.4 m) in depth and has a width of also 80 ft (24.4 m). The outside of Andrew’s cone is covered with ash and scoria spattered with bombs. Basalt lavas from Andrew’s cone stretch southerly to Lake Logipi. Andrew’s Cone first gained international interest in 1888 when the duo explorer team of Andrew and Cavendish reported volcanic eruption, fresh lava flows and rows of active geysers, which was plainly an indication of some recent volcanic whirls at the site. Since then, a few more citations of volcanic activity at the Andrew’s Cone have been made, mainly of spewing mist clouds. Not easily accessible, round about 61 kms east of Lokichar through rough-and-ready dusty roads, Andrew’s Cone is situated between Lake Turkana and Lake Logipi, on the ‘barrier’, and is only accessible to 4×4 vehicles.
29. BVC Geothermal Project
The Barrier Volcanic Complex (BVC) geothermal prospect is situated along the floor of the northern sector of the Great Rift Valley, immediately south of Lake Turkana. It is composed of four distinct polygenetic volcanic edifices or cones (Kaloleyang, Likaiu East, Likaiu West and Kakorinya) that are characterised by a wide spectrum of lava types including basanite, basalt, hawaiite, mugearite, benmorite, trachyte, phonolite and pyroclastics. Geothermal manifestations occur in the form of fumaroles, silica sinters, Logipi hot springs and abounding hydrothermally altered rocks characterised by argillic alteration deposits of alunite, kaolinite and other clay minerals fanned out in the areas of fumarolic activity in the Kakorinya caldera and its summit. This caldera is the youngest volcanic centre and has the most promising geothermal potential. This project presents the evaluation of the hydrogeochemical characteristics of the sampled seven Logipi hot springs and six Kakorinya fumaroles in the BVC with the aim of developing a conceptual model. It is inherent that the key to BVC’s successful exploration, development (which includes drilling) and subsequent sustainable utilization and optimization of the geothermal resource is to clearly define and understand the form, components, and characteristics of its geothermal system.
30. Lake Logipi
The photogenic 6 kms long and shallow Lake Logipi that is separated from Lake Turkana by a volcanic-complex, at the northern tip of Suguta Valley, is famous as a hotbed for flocks of flamingos, best explored on a flying-safari according to avid trippers to the region. Another stunning feature at Logipi is the monolith Cathedral Rock in the middle of the lake, locally known as the ‘Naperito’, which is a favoured rendezvous point for the hundreds of thousands of flamingos that throng the pretty-as-a-picture alkaline Lake Logipi. The lake is partly fed by numerous, weak alkaline hot springs and seepages, which issue along the base of the southern flanks of the BVC. Silica veins and sinters indicative of former hot-springs activity also occur at a number of sites on the rim and floor of the caldera. Minor occurrences of “weak steam seepages” occur on Andrews’s Cone.
31. Lake Alablab
At most times of the year just a dry salt-pan in the Turkana basin, Lake Alablab is recharged by the River Suguta during the rain season and lasts for only about a month before it is eventually evaporated by the scorching and brutal sun in Turkana County. The non-perennial Lake Alablab habitually connects with the Lake Logipi to form a broad 81 km2 lake, almost two times the extent of Lake Nakuru. Lake Alablab launches or forms along the southern end of Lake Logipi.
32. Namarunu Cone
The Namarunu Cone, bearing a geological resemblance to Andrew’s Cone at the north end of Lake Logipi is found on the south end of Lake Logipi. It also bears many physical elements of its counterpart. Also self-same with Andrew’s Cone, Namarunu Cone is a barrier volcano and an active shield volcano last known to have erupted in 1921. Getting to Kakorinya caldera and surrounding domes like Teleki’s Volcano, Namarunu and Luguruguru Cones, may only be possible by alternative means like using helicopter or walking to such sites by foot through the rugged fresh lava. Namarunu Cone is part of the nine axial volcanoes found within the northern sector of the Kenyan Rift along with Lake Turkana Islands, Andrew’s Cone and Barrier, Paka Shield, Emuruangogolak, Silali, Chepchuk and Korosi. It also forms part of the lava-plateau west of Lake Logipi that also includes Limi, Kowum, Nasaken, Kailimerlim, Kafkandal, and Oliyamur Cones.
