Popular Safari Lakes of Kenya
Introduction
The Great Rift Valley is a 3,500-mile trough in the earth’s crust that stretches
from Palestine to Mozambique. It is said to be the most outstanding geological
feature on earth and makes Kenya one of the most scenic nations in the world.
Science postulates that the fault was caused by major upheavals in the earth’s
crust large enough to create a sinking mass that is sometimes up to 65
kilometers wide and much as 609 meters deep.
One of the best places to see the Rift Valley is at one of the numerous view
points on the highway from Nairobi to Nakuru.
The Rift Valley formation process brought about many other unique geographical
features, especially craters and lakes.
Hence majority of the lakes in Kenya are located in the Rift Valley. Only one
major lake sits just outside the Rift on Kenya’s western boundary. The lakes are core safari destinations.
Lake TURKANA
Lake Turkana is one of the Rift Valley’s largest lakes. A long narrow inland sea, it
is often referred to as The Jade Sea, after John Hillary’s book of the same name.
The lake stretches from Kenya’s border with Ethiopia in the north to the Suguta
valley in the south measuring over 250kms in length. And, at 6405 square
kilometers in size, it is the largest desert lake in the world.
The lake appears jewel-like in the parched desert environment of northern Kenya
providing a source of life for local communities, especially the Turkana and the El
Molo- Kenya’s smallest tribe numerically.
The lake is fed by Ethiopian’s Omo River in the north and the Turkana and Kerio
Rivers in the south; it has no outlet and it is alkaline.
The lake is rich in fish and fishing is very important to the local economy.
It is also interesting to note that the lake is home to the world’s single largest
crocodile population. In 1983 Central Island was established as a national park to
protect the breeding ground of some of the world’s biggest crocodiles.
The lake supports three national parks around it – Sibiloi National Park on the
eastern shore, Central Island National Park and South Island National Park .
Sibiloi is famous for abundance of hominid fossils. The three national parks
constitute what is called Lake Turkana National Parks
LAKE VICTORIA
Lake Victoria , is the second largest freshwater lake in the world covering an area
of 69,485 square kilometers. It is frequently referred to by locals Kenya’s west
coast.
However, as wildlife drives Kenya’s tourism, this lake beautiful lake is one of the
country’s least visited tourist destinations.
The boundaries of east Africa’s three countries bisect the lake, with Kenya’s
portion being relatively small. The lake has numerous islands and hosts many
species of birds and aquatic mammals like Hippos. But its most popular as a
source of fish and fishing is the main economic activity.
The leading islands are Rusinga and Mfangano Island both of which can be
accessed by boat or even by air though there are no scheduled air services to
either.
Birdlife around the lake is remarkable with over 300 species, many of which only
exist in this part of Kenya. Visitors can take evening bout rides to watch the sun
set as thousands upon thousands of water birds come home to roost.
The lake supports many activities including bout trips, water sports, big game
fishing and swimming. A sunset over Lake Victoria is one of the most treasured
travel images.
Simply Africa Safaris conducts monthly country tours to Lake Victoria. Contact
Us for details.
LAKE NAKURU
Lake Nakuru lies about 180 km north-west of Nairobi. Its one of the most famous
salt lakes in East Africa and is located within Lake Nakuru National Park.
Surrounding the lake is a unique ecosystem of acacia, euphorbia and olive forest
interspersed with grassland and rocky outcrops.
It is world-famous for its incredible volumes of lesser flamingo which come to
feed on the algae growing in the shallow saline lake. The flamingo would
sometimes number up to 1.5 million birds giving the lake a pink shoreline. One of
the most fascinating sites on Kenyan safari has always been walking on Lake
Nakuru shoreline and marveling at the flocks of thousands of flamingoes flying
across the lake.
Naturalist Roger Tory Peterson once described Lake Nakuru as “the greatest
ornithological spectacle on earth.” Besides flamingos, the lake hosts large flocks
of pelicans, storks, spoonbills and other species.
Lake Nakuru is an important Ramsar Site in East Africa as well as an Important
Bird Area .
Lake Nakuru’s geography and ecology has undergone changes in the last few
years after steep rise in water levels . The strange phenomenon has not been
clearly explained by science.
This has seen a remarkable drop in flamingo population. The famous pink
shoreline has been disrupted and its not clear when ecological status quo will
come back.
LAKE ELEMENTAITA
Lake Elementaita lies between Lake Naivasha and Nakuru, about 130km from
Nairobi.
The lake derives its name from Maasai word muteita, meaning a dust place, in
reference to dry season dryness the exposes the lake bed to wind causing dusty
waves.
The lake is a visiting home for the flamingos which sometimes increase into large
population of up to 300,000 birds. This is when the water chemistry favours
growth of the blue green algae that flamingos feed on.
The lake harbours a species of tilapia fish which attracts many fish eating birds
like the pelicans and herons. There are unique reed beds on the western side of
the lake that offer safe breeding grounds for many birds. The lake is famous as
the only breeding ground for the pelicans
The lake plus the surrounding shoreline is now protected by the government as a
wildlife sanctuary due to its bird life. It’s a Ramsar Site and Important Bird Area
and has been named as an UNESCO heritage site together with Lake Nakuru
and Lake Bogoria.
Surrounding the lake is Soysambu Conservancy which is a leading private
conservation area with a variety of grazing wildlife. There are several high end
and numerous standard and budget accommodations in the vicinity of the lake.
LAKE NAIVASHA
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake, about 90km from Nairobi. It is famous for its
prolific birdlife, with over 400 species of birds recorded. The most prominently
seen are the pelicans, fish eagles, kingfishers, cormorants and other species
associated with fresh waters
The surrounding hills and unique acacia woodlands dominated vegetation forms
a touristic paradise hosting many lodges, campsites and guest houses that make
Lake Naivasha the leading tourist destination in Kenya.
The lake supports Kenya’s floriculture, which makes Kenya the world’s third
largest producer of flowers .
This together with the tourism industry around it makes Lake Nivasha perhaps
the most economically productive lake in Kenya.
One of the popular activities in the lake is boat riding as revelers mingle with
schools of hippos and watch fish eagles and king fishers darting for fish.
An important point of interest while around Lake Naivasha is Hell’s Gate National
Park
LAKES BOGORIA AND BARINGO
Lake Bogoria is a soda Lake often fringed by mass of pink flamingos. It is the
second best home of flamingos after Lake Nakuru and currently the only major
home after Lake Nakuru experienced severe flooding.
The lake is contained within a national reserve and is surrounded by an
escarpment running along its eastern shores which often creates awesome
reflections in its darkish waters. The lake bed has naturally occurring geysers
and hot springs that erupt out on the ground.
These are great geological marvels that attract hundreds of visitors to the lake
every month. Many people even carry eggs to boil at the natural springs as
tribute to the spectacle.
The surrounding game reserve is famous as one of the few places in Kenya to
see the greater kudu – a shy large antelope which isn’t found in many other
places in Kenya.
Lake Baringo is few kilometers after Lake Bogoria and is a freshwater lake. The
lake lies in the midst of dry scrubland that forms part of Kenya’s Rift Valley. Due
to the volcanic ranges that surround it, the air is mostly hot and sultry and is more
often than not filled with birdsong – over 400 species have been recoded making
the lake a must on any ornithological safari itinerary.
Although Baringo does not possess national reserve status, for an insignificant
fee visitors can enjoy this area which is home to the Njemps people – the only
pastoralist fishermen in Kenya – who fish in papyrus rafts unheeded by the hippo
and crocodile that lurk in the shallows.
A safari combining the two lakes and the Western escarpment of Tugen Hills is a
popular itinerary. Contact Us for me details and quotation