Africa >> East Africa >> Kenya >> Lodwar

Lodwar is the capital of the Turkana District which lies within the Rift Valley Province of Kenya.

Culture and History

Travel to Lodwar - Visa Requirements

Flights and airtickets to Lodwar

Flights are available from Wilson Airport in Nairobi. Charter aircraft can be hired in advance for drop-off and pick-up at the landing strip near center of town.

By train

There is no train service at Lodwar.

By car

Nairobi to Lodwar overland takes about 2 days of driving. Pavement conditions are fair between Nairobi and Eldoret, but north of Eldoret, roadway is extremely deteriorated, with speeds not exceeding 70 kph (45 kph). There are no service stations or rest areas once you enter Turkana district at the south until you reach Lodwar. Not recommended to travel by night, and beware of bandits.

Road to Lokichokio is in excellent condition (which is interesting, since roads south are very poor).

Buses to Lodwar

From Nairobi to Lodwar, expect to pay Ksh. 1500. Chartered buses run daily.

By boat

There is no boat service at Lodwar.

Tours and Getting around Lodwar

Matatu (minibus) in city Ksh 50 (0,65). Hired taxi available for small fee.

Travel by the local bus-taxis (Matatus) if you've got the guts for it -they're mini-buses that they shove full of people (literally). They're cheap (ask someone at the hotel what the going rate is) don't let them scam you. They are all over and in huge numbers, and they're licensed (stickers on the windshields). Taxis don't have taxi-signs on the roof, but license papers stuck to the windshields.

Lodwar tourist attractions and sightseeing

Basket market daily.

Lodwar city tours

Browse the basket market in town. Turkana district is known for intricately woven baskets ranging in size from minute to 100L (25 gallon) size. Women at the market hawk wares such as brooms, baskets, makekas (woven sleeping mats), beads, and tire sandals.

Learn

Work

Lodwar souvenirs and shopping

Lodwar Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Splurge

Lodwar nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

  • Tusker beer
  • Chibuku (Not for the faint at heart.)

Lodwar cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Contact

Stay safe

Don't walk the streets at night, as this will invite unwanted attention. It is best to hire a guide if you intend to do any exploring within the city. This city is not really a tourist mecca, and thus, does not have any real tourist infrastructure.

Cope

Get out

This page was last edited by Jaakko . Based on work by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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