Northern Frontier District

Northern kenya is a vast, hot and desolate region. The people of this region; the Samburu, the Turkana, the Gabra and the Rendille are very authentic and picturesque looking but since living conditions in this region is so challenging and tough, unrest between the different ethnic groups have sometimes occurred and one should always check about the current safety situation before setting off to Kenyas northern frontier region.

If you are not flying in, you will have to travel thousands of kilometres on dusty roads to get to Lake Turkana – the premier attraction for tourists to come this way. The Jade Sea as it is often called, is set amidst arid mountains in the desert and the lake and its surrounding landscapes have a truly special character to them and they are almost moonlike in their wild and unforgiven appearance.

Humans have lived in this area for millions of years and some of the earliest humanoid fossils was excavated in Sibiloi National Park on the eastern shore of Lake Turkana.

The vast emptiness and “wild” feeling of the landscapes in Northern Kenya stands in stark contrast to the central highlands and here you can see nomadic tribesmen in traditional dresses with colorful ornamentation holding spears for protection and hunting.

The combination of arid vulcanic landscapes, mountains, deserts and the amazingly beautiful Lake Turkana makes the perfect backdrop to the colorful tribal people living there. The Masai’s “cousins” the Samburu’s are dressed in red and they wear an amazing amount of pearl necklaces, feathers as well as the traditional weapons; a Rungo, a spear, and a sword. The Turkana’s on the other hand, are more basic in their ornamentations – yet more simplistically stylish!

Despite Lake Turkana being the primary destination and ultimate goal for a safari to this part of kenya, one even more lasting impression of the region might be the people you meet on the way as one cannot cease to think about how their lives must be like in such challenging surroundings. If you are looking for “real” safari and an adventure of a lifetime we can say with confidence; Kenyas Northern Frontier District won’t disappoint you!

Chalbi desert is desert in northern Kenya near the border with Ethiopia. It is east of Lake Turkana and contains North Horr. Marsabit is the closest major urban center. Chalbi desert is composed of saline and alkaline sediments and stabilised sand dunes; a resulting formation of the old bed of Lake Chalbi. During the Pleistocene this lake drained the volcanoes of Marsabit. It has since dried up to form the extensive Chalbi desert.

Being a seasonal lake, rain is sparse in this region and the lake bed is therefor usually dry. There are lots of attractions in Kenyas Northern Frontier District and just outside Isiolo lies Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves. When you venture further north you will come to Marsabit National Park – a beautiful green oasis in the midst of a vast desert. From Marsabit you can cross the Chalbi desert to eventually approach Lake Turkana – the destination for most safaris to the area. Despite the whole region looking barren and desolate, the ecosystems are unique habitats with a rich and varied fauna.

In Kenyas Northern Frontier District you will find subspecies to the more commonly known. Grevy’s zebra for instance, has more slim and more dense stripes than their more southern living cousin – Grant’s Zebra (The common zebra). Some scientists argue that the reason for this is the higher temperatures in the region, and so the closer black and white pattern provides a local cooling effect right above their skin. Also this region is famous for its reticulated giraffes, the Beisa Oryx and the ostriches are the Somali ostrich, a different subspecies that differs from the Masai Ostrich. Maybe one of the most elegant and graceful endemic species of this region is the Gerenuk or Giraffe Gazelle.

Many places in this region there is no human activity whatsoever. Also there is generally much less wildlife in Northern Frontier District due to the hot and arid conditions. However, while not as heavily populated as in the southern regions, the wildlife populations are generally healthy and you have the chance of spotting elephant, giraffe, zebra, hartebeest, gazelle, impala, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dogs.