List Of Deserts In Kenya. Kenya’s deserts, once overlooked, are blossoming into captivating tourist destinations. Though arid, they boast landscapes as breathtaking as their Middle Eastern counterparts. Rugged dunes, sun-baked plains, camels, wildlife, and resilient pastoral communities await your desert safari adventure.
Also Read: Best Places To Visit In Turkana County
What Are the Four Deserts in Kenya?
Before you fly to Middle East to see a desert, take the time to explore our local options.
1. Chalbi Desert
The largest desert in Kenya, Chalbi/Huri Hills is a vast expanse of golden sands, dotted with rocky outcrops and acacia trees. Home to the Chalbi people, it’s a land of stark beauty and fascinating culture.
East of the remote Lake Turkana is the Chalbi Desert, a 100,000 square kilometer area (38,610 square miles) that is aptly named in the native language of the Gabra people as “salty and bare.” Like many of the areas in the Northern Frontier, the desert was once part of an extensive lake, as evidenced by the basin that fills with shallow water during heavy rains and fossilized remains of snail shells and fish vertebrae.
When you journey into the Chalbi Desert, prepare yourself for an eerie landscape edged by rocky lava flows, cracked earth, and a sandy mixture of white salt and clay which your guide carefully drives through. Even in this barren and desolate location, you may see a shadow emerge in the distance, as ostriches, Grevy’s zebras, oryx, and other adapted animals are often observed in the desert. Amazingly, spotted hyenas have been seen too.
The Chalbi Desert, though, does have a secret. On the northern edge is a gorgeous area of oases with groves of palm trees that attract sand grouse and other birds including vulturine guinea fowls. The oases are also used by the Gabra people as water sources for their camels. Another contrasting landscape in the desert is the Huri Hills and Mount Forole to the north, at the Kenya-Ethiopia border, where temperatures are slightly lower and the wilderness is much greener, giving you a private escape from the desert heat while enjoying expansive views of the hottest location in Kenya.
2. Nyiri Desert
The Largest Desert in Kenya : Nyiri desert also known as the Nyika, Taru desert is the largest desert that is located in the south- central Kenya, the desert do contain some of the Amboseli national park with the northern half of Lake Amboseli. Nyiri desert is the largest and biggest desert in Kenya which attracts a variety of the tourists to the desert safari with its several parts having dense but enormously diverse growth of the small trees of which some are poisonous and much are thorny, with the water shortage minus the widely spaced riverbeds and the large springs.
Nicknamed the “Dust Bowl of Kenya,” Nyiri is a photographer’s paradise. Its red sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a mesmerizing contrast with the clear blue sky. Keep an eye out for giraffes, elephants, and zebras roaming the plains.
3.Mambrui Desert
The Mambrui Desert is located on the Kenyan Coast. It is in the Malindi sub-county, Kilifi County. Mambrui Desert features the famous Kola Beach (Golden Beach), known for its undulating sand dunes and serenity.
Unlike the Chalbi and Nyiri deserts, Mambrui has a reliable water source called the Sabaki River. The desert’s vegetation cover includes acacia, palm, and baobab trees and tones of pristine white sandy soil.
The Mambrui Desert is an enthralling tourist destination for those looking to enjoy water sports in the Indian Ocean. It offers the following tourist landmarks:
4. Kaisut Desert
While it may be the smallest and most veiled member of Kenya’s desert family, the Kaisut Desert packs a punch for adventurous souls. Nestled near the Sudanese border along Lake Turkana, its rugged canvas unfolds with jagged rocks, thorny groves, golden dunes, and the whisper of dry riverbeds. This unique terrain isn’t for the faint of heart, but for those who crave a taste of the untamed, the Kaisut whispers its secrets.
Trekking Trails and Rock Climbing Crags: For adrenaline seekers, the Kaisut’s rugged landscape is a playground. Lace up your boots and conquer challenging treks, feeling the sun-baked earth under your feet and the wind whispering tales of the desert. For those who scale higher, rocky crags offer thrilling ascents, rewarding you with panoramic vistas that stretch beyond the horizon.
Wildlife Encounters in a Harsh Embrace: Life, in its most resilient forms, thrives in the Kaisut. Keep your eyes peeled for Grevy’s zebras, their striped coats a stark contrast against the sand. Graceful gerenuks stand tall on their hind legs, nibbling on leaves, while the elusive lesser kudu hides within the thorny groves. Each sighting is a testament to the delicate balance of nature in this arid land.
A Glimpse into the Turkana Way of Life: Step into the world of the Turkana, the Kaisut’s nomadic guardians. Witness their deep connection to the land as they shepherd their cattle, their vibrant culture woven into the tapestry of the desert. Join a cultural tour and experience their warm hospitality, learning about their traditions and ancient wisdom honed through generations.
The Kaisut Desert is more than just a barren expanse; it’s a canvas painted with stories of resilience, a whisper of adventure, and a window into a unique way of life. So, if you’re seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience, where rugged beauty meets captivating culture, let the Kaisut Desert whisper its magic into your soul.
Mwafrikah Blogs, “List of Deserts in Kenya,” Mwafrikah, January 31, 2024, https://www.mwafrikah.com/list-of-deserts-in-kenya/.
