12 Iconic Landscapes Only Found in Africa's Remote Corners

2. Lake Turkana, Kenya: The Jade Sea

In the far-flung expanses of northern Kenya lies Lake Turkana, often called the Jade Sea for its deep turquoise waters that shimmer amid volcanic deserts. It’s the world’s largest permanent desert lake, a lifeline for people and wildlife in an otherwise harsh environment. Frontier landscapes sweep toward the horizon, revealing shores dotted with petrified forests and volcanic islands. Lake Turkana hosts a remarkable ecosystem, supporting enormous Nile crocodiles and endemic fish species found nowhere else. Archaeological sites along its shoreline reveal evidence of some of humankind’s earliest ancestors. For modern travelers, the area offers a rare glimpse into both ancient and contemporary life, with pastoralist communities skillfully navigating its challenges. The journey to Turkana demands stamina—it’s remote, sun-baked, and wind-swept—but the reward is a sense of standing where the world began, surrounded by a lake so striking it feels almost mystical.