| Official Name | Sibiloi National Park |
| Country | Kenya |
| Protected Area Type | National Park |
| IUCN Management Category | II (National Park) |
| World Heritage Status | Part of Lake Turkana National Parks (Natural World Heritage Site; originally proposed under natural and cultural criteria) |
| Geographical Location | Eastern shores of Lake Turkana, Marsabit District (formerly Eastern Province), northern Kenya |
| Coordinates | Approximately 4°00’N, 36°20’E |
| Distance from Nairobi | ~720 km north of Nairobi |
| Year of Gazettement | 1973 |
| Area (Size) | 157,085 hectares |
| Land Tenure | Government of Kenya |
| Altitude Range | 340 m – 550 m above sea level |
| Park Extent into Lake Turkana | Extends ~1 km offshore into the lake |
| Physical Setting | Semi-desert plains, volcanic formations (including Mount Sibiloi), rocky and sandy lake shores, extensive badlands, and a large petrified forest |
| Geological Context | Part of the East African Rift System with volcanic cones and fossil-bearing sedimentary formations |
| Climate | Hot, arid, windy; unreliable seasonal rainfall mainly March–April or April–May |
| Average Rainfall | Less than 500 mm per year (often cited ~250 mm or lower in parts) |
| Temperature Range | Approximately 26°C – 37°C |
| Hydrology | Watercourses flow only a few days per year; Lake Turkana is a closed-basin lake receiving ~80% of inflow from the Omo River (Ethiopia); net evaporation ~2.5–3 m/year |
| Vegetation | Grassy plains with yellow spear grass, Commiphora and Acacia species; scrubby Salvadora bush in some areas; sparse aquatic vegetation along the shore |
| Major Habitats | Semi-desert plains, volcanic landscapes, fossil badlands, rocky/sandy lakeshore, petrified forest areas |
| Mammal Fauna (Examples) | Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi), Burchell’s zebra (Equus burchellii), Grant’s gazelle (Gazella granti), Beisa oryx (Oryx gazella beisa), hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus), topi (Damaliscus lunatus), lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis), lion (Panthera leo), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) |
| Locally Extirpated Mammals | Elephant, rhino, buffalo (disappeared early 20th century) |
| Aquatic Fauna | Large populations of Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) and hippos in Lake Turkana |
| Birdlife | Over 350 species of aquatic and terrestrial birds recorded in the Lake Turkana system; major flyway for migrants |
| Notable Bird Features (Region) | Central Island breeding colonies of African skimmer (Rynchops flavirostris); important staging area for migratory birds |
| Reptiles | High reptile diversity including crocodiles and adapted desert species |
| Cultural / Scientific Significance | Koobi Fora fossil deposits: one of the world’s richest and most important paleoanthropological and vertebrate fossil sites |
| Key Fossil Finds | Fossils of Australopithecus robustus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo sapiens, plus numerous fossil mammals, molluscs, and other vertebrates |
| Number of Archaeological Sites | Over 100 recorded |
| Scientific Importance | Among the most intensively studied lake basins in Africa for geology, paleoenvironment, and human evolution; over 350 fossil taxa recorded within first 20 years of research |
| Primary Reason for Establishment | Protection of Koobi Fora fossil deposits and associated desert–lake ecosystems |
| Local Human Use (Historically & Currently) | No permanent residents; Gabbra, Rendille, Turkana pastoralists allowed seasonal grazing during dry season |
| Visitor Numbers (1996 reference) | ~75 visitors to Sibiloi; ~200 to Central Island |
| Visitor Facilities | Very basic; camping near Koobi Fora Museum and at Rocodoni (near Mount Sibiloi); visitors must be self-sufficient |
| Access & Internal Tracks | Limited tracks to museum and archaeological sites; remote and rough terrain |
| Scientific Research | Long-term, internationally important paleoanthropological and geological research (Leakey and others); bird surveys and ecological studies conducted |
| Conservation Value | One of Kenya’s most remote parks; low carrying capacity; distinctive avifauna and specialized desert-adapted fauna |
| Management Status (1990s reference) | No formal management plan at the time; plan under development |
| Management Constraints | Seasonal grazing pressure; vegetation cutting (e.g., Salvadora bush on Central Island); limited infrastructure |
| Staffing (1996 reference) | 43 staff: 1 warden, 22 rangers, 12 support staff |
| Budget (1996 reference) | Approximately USD 50,000 |
| Administrative Address | Warden, Sibiloi National Park, P.O. Box 219, Lodwar |
| Associated Protected Areas | Central Island National Park (500 ha, established 1985) as part of Lake Turkana National Parks |