The Chalbi Desert in northern Kenya lies east of Lake Turkana and is one of the country’s most distinctive arid landscapes.
The desert occupies a broad, low-lying basin near the Kenyan-Ethiopian border. Much of its surface consists of pale clay, sand, and salt-bearing deposits. During brief rainy periods, temporary pools and grass can appear, attracting livestock and wildlife before the water disappears.
The name Chalbi is associated with the local Borana language and is commonly explained as meaning bare or salty. The desert’s harsh conditions have encouraged pastoral communities to develop detailed knowledge of wells, seasonal grazing, and routes between water sources.
Lake Turkana is not part of the desert itself; it lies immediately to the west. The lake’s presence creates a striking contrast between permanent water and the extremely dry basin across its eastern side.