6 Amazing Things You Need to Know
about Kenya’s Chalbi Desert
The
Chalbi Desert is located in Marsabit County, east of Lake Turkana. The Chalbi
Desert covers an area of 100,000 square kilometres and provides a magical panorama
of what nature can offer. The natives of this area are the Gabbra community. In
the Gabbra language, Chalbi means “salty and bare.”
The
Chalbi Desert was once part of an extensive lake as evidenced by the basin that
fills with shallow water during heavy rains. It is believed the lake dried up a
thousand years ago.
Amazingly,
even though the land is desolate, a few ostriches, grevy zebras, oryx, the
spotted hyena and other animals can be observed on the desert.
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| Chalbi Desert in Marsabit, Kenya |
On
the northern side lie the Kalacha Springs with grooves of palm trees that
attract sand grouse and other birds including vulturine guinea fowls. The oases
are used by the Gabbra people to water their camels.
The
terrain is characterized by rocky lava flows, cracked earth and a sandy mixture
of white soil and clay. However, the Huri Hills and Mount Forole are much
greener in contrast with the other landscapes.
Lake
Turkana which is the largest desert lake in Kenya is part of Chalbi Desert. The
available huts here have been blown off by the strong desert winds hence
getting accommodation can be a challenge. Some tourists prefer to come by the
helicopter.
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