#KeFestivals: Lake Turkana Festival
Nothing screams a festival like a journey out of town to celebrate. Imagine putting together your camping attire, your camera (and for most of us Kenyans… our power banks) and all the enthusiasm you need for a six-day, out-of-town retreat! More specifically to the northern frontier to celebrate culture, sightsee, and meet a variety of people from different communities. This is the theme behind The Lake Turkana Festival.
The festival is celebrated both on the journey to the destination, at the destination, and on the way back to the capital. For historians, travelers and documenters of culture this #KeFestival beckons you! The best part is that whether you are an avid solo traveler or prefer a group setting, there are different tour packages to get you to the north.
On the first day, there is the drive to either Ewaso Ngiro or Maralal in Samburu County. The Maralal option lets you enjoy the formation that is Mount Ololokwe – a flat topped mountain in Samburu, which, if you remember, we discussed on #KeSafari hmmmmm…. but we digress. For whatever package, the first night is spent in the wilderness. The journey resumes on the second day and this time, the destination is Loiyangalani where the festival takes place. Camp is set up by the magical Lake Turkana and travellers can unwind.
The Lake Turkana Festival begins on the third day. It kicks off with cultural performances by the local communities, welcoming the guests into their home. All fourteen tribes show off their dances, beadwork and chant various songs. Attendees have the freedom to interact with the people here and get more insight on, particularly, the El Molo community who are facing extinction as a result of intermarriages that have taken place over time. Cameras come in handy here and you have a few candid shots to add to your portrait collection. After lunch, there is an unlimited list of activities – from boat rides, to tours of the desert museum and rock art sites. If you prefer to relax, there is a swimming pool at a nearby lodge. The fourth day has a similar agenda to allow visitors to interact further with the local communities and visit more sites such as sacred shrines.
The fifth day is spent driving back to Maralal to spend the night and on the sixth, the caravan returns to Nairobi. This safari and festival costs Ksh 40,000 for Kenyan residents and Ksh 50,000 for non-residents, and is organized by the county government of Marsabit.
The festival has been taking place from the 11th of June and is set to end on the 16th. But, not to worry if you missed it. This is the 13th edition of the Turkana Festival and there will certainly be another, next year, so you have ample time to plan.
