East of the renowned Lake Turkana, the Chalbi Desert, home to barely 400 inhabitants, is one of Kenya's hottest and most inhospitable regions.

Chalbi Desert, an exhilarating adventure in Kenya

Red sand and dunes fill the horizon. A chain of extinct volcanoes looms over the basin. The elements reign supreme in this harsh, arid region, where less than 200 mm of rainfall falls annually. Thus emerges the Chalbi Desert, which calls adventurers to an off-the-beaten-path journey in northern Kenya. Life flourishes in small touches. Herds tended by nomads, caravans of dromedaries and camels departing from Kalacha, shaded oases of palm groves where the Gabra people live—this tableau reminds you that the desert is far more than a deposit of clay and white salt bordered by lava flows. At the border with Ethiopia, the Chalbi Desert reveals Africa's wilderness in all its forms.

Geographic profile of the desert

Chalbi means "a salty and barren place" in the Gabra language, spoken by nomads who have inhabited the desert for centuries. During the Pleistocene (between 2.5 million and 11,700 years before present), the site was covered in fresh water. A great lake irrigated the surrounding hills and volcanic mountains. The fossils of vertebrates, mollusks and fish scattered across the desert attest to this. Even today, a small pond occasionally forms after rainfall.

However, Lake Chalbi dried up over the centuries, giving way to a salt desert. Despite occasional torrential rains falling on the region, particularly in April and October, the moisture is lost through evaporation, rendering the soil muddy and impassable.

Today

Bordering Ethiopia, the Chalbi Desert is a place both frightening and fascinating. Walking for hours across sand mounds, cooling off near oases, discovering the hospitality of nomads, camping in the wilderness and waking to the sounds of zebras and oryx… Desert enthusiasts will not regret this adventure, nor will romantic souls who appreciate pristine, wild spaces, cut off from everything, where nature takes precedence over civilization.

Desert trekking

Tourism operators have arranged a wide range of activities to help you fall in love with this desolate and arid place.

Camel trekking

With a camel as your mount, traverse the endless dunes. Lava flows and granite peaks lend the landscape its distinctive character.

Wildlife viewing

You will be amazed to learn that abundant fauna inhabits the desert. Buffaloes, gazelles, topis and Grevy's zebras are the most common species. Spotted hyenas do not go unnoticed.

Volcanic cone climbing

Volcanic cones rise across the desert. After a continental breakfast of chicken, goat meat or freshly caught fish, venture to explore the summits. The views are breathtaking, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Cultural experience with the Gabra

To fully immerse yourself in the desert experience, a stay with the Gabra is essential. This nomadic people will be honored to receive you in their tents. Take advantage of their gracious hospitality. The Gabra settle in the North Horr oasis, a verdant region crowned with palm trees. Near the dwellings, there is a water source where goats and camels come to quench their thirst. After a good night's sleep, you leave North Horr at daybreak and resume your journey to Marsabit.

Night sky observation

The Chalbi Desert is an excellent place to contemplate the beauty of the night sky. Far from the neon lights of the capital, budding astronomers can scan the star-filled sky and clearly distinguish constellations. For optimal visibility, some climbing effort is required.

What you need to know before you go

When to visit?

Travel advisors agree that the dry season is the best time for an adventurous journey to the Chalbi Desert. Kenya has two dry seasons: July to October and January to February. During these periods, animals tend to congregate around rare permanent water sources, and the terrain is perfectly passable. A great opportunity for safari enthusiasts and wildlife photography!

The Chalbi Desert is a remote and isolated region. It is recommended to arrive by air via helicopter or on a 4x4 circuit through Northern Kenya.

Essential items to pack

Remember to bring a bottle of mineral water, sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from sunburn.

What to see nearby?

Leaving the Chalbi Desert, continue your adventure by exploring other natural sites in Kenya:

• Lake Turkana;
• Suguta Valley;
• Sibiloi National Park