Popular Deserts in Kenya

This blog post uncovers all the Popular Deserts in Kenya

All of these Kenyan Deserts are suitable for nature and exploration, engaging in adventure activities, and capturing magical moments through photographs and videos.

Below is a list of the 6 Deserts in Kenya, their locations, climatic conditions and vegetations that cover it.

Nyiri Desert

Nyiri Desert, located on the South Eastern part of Kenya, between Lake Turkana and the Great Rift Valley, is one of the most popular Deserts in Kenya. This Kenyan desert covers approximately 20,000 hectares of land, this makes it the Biggest Desert in Kenya.

Like most deserts, Nyiri desert also faces harsh conditions; with extreme heat during the day and freezing cold at night. Despite these extreme conditions and dry climate, there are different types of wildlife roaming around like Elephants, Giraffes, Aatelopes and Zebras just to mention a few.

With regards to the vegetations, Nyiri Desert is mostly covered with shrubs and thorny bushes. I highly recommend exploring this desert because of its popularity and the tourist attractions especially if you are looking for adventure and sight-seeing.

Chalbi Desert

The Chalbi Desert is the most Popular Desert in Kenya, It covers almost 100,000 square kilometers and is located on the Northern part of Kenya.

During the day, the temperature levels at Chalbi Desert reach to extremes of upto 40 degrees and almost below freezing point during the night.

Despite the extreme conditions, Chalbi Desert is one of the most famous attractions for desert safaris, camel rides and dune bashing. Upon visiting this desert last year. Some of the activities I enjoyed engaging in are desert camping, stargazing in the desert and watching the sunrise over the dunes.

When it comes to vegetation, Chalbi Desert in Kenya is covered by visible shrubs and grass near the streams and oases. There are also different forms wildlife including ostriches, gazelles and ostriches.

At the moment, Chalbi is the Best Desert in Kenya to visit.

Kaisut Desert

Kaisut Desert, also known as the Suguta valley, is located in northern Kenya and covers around 23,000 hectares of land and is home to various nomadic tribes like the Rendile who have adapted to the extreme conditions of the desert.

Though most deserts are filled with only sand dunes, this particular Kenyan desert also comprises of a rocky terrain and sporadic desert plants like shrubs.

It is home to wildlife like desert foxes and gazelles. Apart from wild animals, they also have camels, which is a preferred mode of transport and also ideal for camel trekking and camel riding for an amazing desert tour experience.

Despite the size of the desert being small, Kaisut desert is a popular destination if you are looking for a remote desert escape or an off road desert adventure.

Turkana Desert

When speaking about deserts in Kenya, we cannot forget Turkana desert, which is 70,000 hectares and is located on the northern part of Kenya in Turkana.

This Kenyan desert is known to have the most harsh conditions in the country with scorching sun and blistering heat.

Turkana desert is home to the Turkana people, who have over time adjusted to this dry climate and scarce vegetation.

Despite their extreme temperature, this is home to ancient fossils and several national parks such as Lake Turkana National Park hence there are several attractions for tourists and other locals to visit when you get there.

If you are looking to enjoy some desert adventure while learning new things about the country and the northern Kenya communities, this is a great start and the people are so welcoming therefore you are guaranteed a good time.

Maralal Desert

Mararal Desert is more of a semi-arid area that experiences minimal to no rainfall annually. It is located in Samburu County in Kenya. This desert in Kenya covers over 10, 000 hectares.

Despite it receiving between 200-400mm of rainfall annually, this desert in Kenya is home to various wildlife like elephants, lions, leopards and giraffes among others. You can also spot some vegetation in the area though it is scattered.

This desert landscape also features an ecstatic experience with sand dunes and is also an ideal place for desert camping and desert photography.

Mambrui Desert

Mambrui Desert is the only Kenyan Desert that is located on the Kenyan Coast. It covers an area of 700 hectares and is considered Kenya’s Little Dubai

This Kenyan desert is filled with desert plants like palm trees, acacia trees and thorny bushes. Despite the aridity of the area and blistering heat, this area is home to several wild animals like cheetahs and lions.

This desert landscape is also a historical significance as it is near Gedi ruins and gives a peek into the Kenyan history.

If you are looking for an explorative desert tour experience, Mambrui desert offers an impeccable off-road desert experience for both foreigners and locals and you will always come back often because you will get a new experience every time.

Point to Note: The Chalbi Desert and Nyiri Desert are the only true Deserts in Kenya.

Planning to Visit One of These Deserts?

In case you are planning to visit any one of these Deserts In Kenya, Zunguka Safaris has got you covered, Contact Us for more information on our next Desert Safaris.

Our desert packages are exciting, engaging, educative and worth every coin of yours!