New Year greetings to all, I’m back from the Christmas break and looking forward to another great year of travel and blogging. Let’s get the ball rolling …

Eliye Springs, also known as Ille Springs, is a remote village on the western shore of Lake Turkana in Kenya, near the mouth of River Turkwel. It is located 50 kilometers east of Lodwar and 40 kilometers south of Kalokol.

The local springs for which it is named produce lush vegetation along its section of an otherwise barren lake shore, and support a community of about 5000 people with fresh drinking water.

Eliye Springs Resort_Desert scrub

Vegetation in Turkana

 

I happened to visit Eliye Springs on the same day we were almost arrested (You can read about that here), so going to Eliye Springs was the best thing that happened all day.

We had been on the road and working all day and Eliye Springs had not been part of the plan. Once again, one of our location scouts had let us down, despite letting him know in advance what we wanted. When confronted he conveniently got ill, the transformation was so sudden that I was tempted to laugh. It was after a short discussion that  we decided to drive down to the springs.

Eliye Springs Resort_Entrance

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Palm trees

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Palm trees (2)

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Pool of water

 

By the time we arrived it was about 5pm and by this time all I wanted to do was relax. The atmosphere was very conducive; the doum palms surrounding the resort ensure that I was protected from the fierce Turkana sun plus there was also a slight breeze from the lake. I was at peace

Eliye Springs Resort_Banda

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Banda1

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Banda2

 

I spent most of the time seated at the beach. I dropped my phone in the water while trying to take some photos but I saved it thanks to some quick thinking .It is still functioning well.

Eliye Springs Resort_Beach

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Lake Turkana

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Lake Turkana1

 

The location is very remote so if you do decide to stay at Eliye Springs long term, pack wisely. The closest town is Lodwar and even then if you forgot to carry some essentials you’re not guaranteed to find them.

Eliye Springs Resort_Pathway

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Pathway1

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Accommodation

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Bomas

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Bomas1

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Bomas2

 

A word of advice, do not use the swimming pool. The water was very murky, you are better off swimming in the lake. I would have loved to but sadly I didn’t have any other clothes to change into.

Eliye Springs Resort_Swimming pool

The pool is to the right of the picture

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Wading

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Doum palms2

 

Network coverage in the area is patchy so do not expect a fully functional phone.  There is not much to do around the resort except lay around and relax. You can however take a trip to Central Island; it is quite a distance from the resort and would make for a nice day trip. There are boats available for hire at the resort

Eliye Springs Resort_Central Island

View of Central Island from Eliye

 

After relaxing by the beach for a while it was time for us to have a late lunch. I may be exaggerating but it was one of the best meals I had on the whole trip. I have to say that I had not had a proper meal to eat all day and at that point I would have eaten anything.

Eliye Springs Resort_Restaurant

Restaurant Entrance

 

We had requested to be served our meals by the beach but we ended up eating at the restaurant since their were only 2 waiters available.

Eliye Springs Resort_Fish&Chips

 

I chose to have the fish and chips. I highly recommend the fish,  It was done just right and I knew it was fresh as it had probably been caught in the lake that day.

Eliye Springs Resort_Ugali&Fish

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Rise&BeefMy companions chose to have Ugali and fish and Rice and beef

I don’t remember how much my meal cost but it was definitely <kshs1000 ($10)

Most of the items listed in the menu were not available, so the first thing I asked the waiter was to list for me what was unavailable. Given the remote location this was understandable.

 

We ate our meal as the sun set and soon it was time to head back to Lodwar.

Eliye Springs Resort_Doum palms

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Dusk

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Dusk2

 

Eliye Springs Resort_Pathway2

 

How to get there: Easiest option is to fly to Lodwar then drive from Lodwar to Eliye. The drive will take about 1.5- 2 hours. I would advise against self-driving. The roads in the area are in terrible condition and there are virtually no signs. You can hire a car and a driver from Lodwar.

To find out more about the resort, here’s a link to their website.

This week Safari 254 links up with;

1. Reflections enroute #wkendtravelinspiration

2. Adelina’s Pack Me To in  #SundayTraveler

Please visit the sites for more wonderful photos and posts.

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13 Comments

  1. January 11, 2015 at 2:34 pm — Reply

    Rachel, This lake resort looks so relaxing. I love the golden colors and the beachy feel. Thanks for linking up with Weekend Travel Inspiration and Happy, happy 2015!

  2. January 11, 2015 at 5:25 pm — Reply

    As usual, gorgeous images. It looks to peaceful and beautiful there. I could stay there, and the food looks very good. That is one of the things l love about Malaga, fresh catch of the day! Hope you had a wonderful break!!!

    • January 18, 2015 at 9:02 pm — Reply

      It is very peaceful. Perfect getaway and well worth the long journey.

  3. January 12, 2015 at 7:25 pm — Reply

    This is such a gorgeous part of Kenya, hope to make it up to Turkana soon. Lovely photos as always, Rachael!

  4. January 13, 2015 at 12:30 am — Reply

    What a relaxing getaway! The springs look like the perfect place to unplug. And they look so lush – beautiful pictures. Welcome back to the blog! 😉

    • January 18, 2015 at 9:03 pm — Reply

      Relaxing it is. I’m currently wishing I could be there right now. Thank you, I’m glad to be back.

  5. January 13, 2015 at 11:55 am — Reply

    This place is absolutely stunning!! <3

  6. January 13, 2015 at 12:21 pm — Reply

    What a gorgeous place!

  7. January 17, 2015 at 2:19 am — Reply

    Wow, it looks so beautiful and serene. Definitely the perfect place to get away and relax.

  8. January 17, 2015 at 8:33 am — Reply

    Those meals look absolutely lovely Rachael! So yummy. As for the images they are fab, so eye popping. I agree fully with the use of both tranquil and serene 😉 Thanks for the inspired blog post!

    Ryan

  9. January 17, 2015 at 12:40 pm — Reply

    Beautiful…

  10. January 18, 2015 at 12:54 am — Reply

    Good thing you managed to save your phone because you take some great pictures with it 🙂

  11. Mike
    February 3, 2015 at 7:52 am — Reply

    Oh dang, that’s too bad that you couldn’t have you meal on the beach, Rachael! Talk about having the beach all to yourself…that would be perfect! Gorgeous photos as always, my friend 🙂

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