Friday, July 15, 2011

Sibiloi National Park : The Garden of Eden

"Shimmering like a mirage in the harshly beautiful desert landscape of nothern Kenya lie the blue-green waters of Lake Turukana.On it's shores lies one of the world's greatest treasures, the 3 million year old Koobi Fora palaeontological site."  writes the Kenya Wildlife Service

In 1972, Dr Richard Leaky and his team discovered Sibiloi, which is today universally recognized as the "Cradle of Mankind" and believed to be the most likely bibilical Garden of Eden.

Sibiloi National Park, located in Lake Turukana, Marasabit District of the Kenyan Eastern  Province, was created  to protect  the sites of the many remarkable hominid fossils finds revealed, with the now park peak moment being when Dr.Richard Leaky and his team discovered one of its most valued treasure, a 2 million year old fossilized almost full skull, presently labeled 1470 by the National Museum of Kenya. The skull somewhat confirmed the excistence of an urbane evolutionary  hominid that we all know as Homo habilis, a diriect ancestor of Homo sapiens - Us! They also found about 160 other additional finds relating to the Homo habilis.
The alttitude is 355 meters above sea level, the climate is scorching hot and arid, with June and july being the coolest months. The area is well over with  grassy plains with yellow spear grass, doum palms, accacia shrub land and desert roses. The wildlife includes animals such us the Grevy's and Burchell's Zebra, Giraffe,Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Striped Hyena, Topi, Beisa Oryx among others!Birds are said to be over 350 recorded species including large flock of Flamingo.

An interesting fact is that the world's largest Crocodile population breeds on Lake Turukana's Central Island, meaning if you are a Crocodile fan, this is the place you want to visit!

What to see?
1. Skull 1470 - Homo habilis
2. The Koobi Fora Museum, Allia Bay
3. The tempestuous "Jade Sea"- the largest permanent desert lake in the world,Lake Turukana
4. Crocodile Kingdom
5. Petrified Forests
6. Prolific Birdlife



Where to stay?
1.Oasis Lodge
2. Lobolo Tented Camp
3. Eliye Springs
4. Desert Rose
5. Allia Bay Guest House (self catering)

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