Lake Baringo is a freshwater lake located in the Kenyan Rift Valley, about 270 km northwest of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. It is the northernmost of the Kenyan Rift Valley lakes and the second most northerly freshwater lake in Kenya after Lake Turkana.

Lake Baringo

It covers an area of approximately 130 km² and has a maximum depth of 10 meters. The lake is fed by several rivers, including the Molo, Perkerra, and Ol Arabel. It has no visible outlet and is assumed to lose water only by evaporation.

Lake Baringo Wild life

The Lake is home to a diverse array of wildlife, both on the lake and in the surrounding area. Here are some examples of the wildlife that can be found in and around Lake Baringo:

The Lake is home to a large population of hippopotamuses, which lounge in the lake or graze on the surrounding land. Visitors should exercise caution when approaching the water’s edge due to the presence of Nile crocodiles.

Fish: The lake is home to over 450 species of fish, including the Nile tilapia, catfish, and several species of cichlid.

Birds: Lake Baringo is known for its abundance of birdlife, with over 470 species recorded in the area. Some of the notable bird species include the Goliath heron, the African fish eagle, the Marabou stork, and the flamingo.

Monkeys and baboons: Several species of monkeys and baboons can be found in the surrounding area, including olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and colobus monkeys.

Reptiles: In addition to crocodiles, other reptiles that can be found in the area include snakes, lizards, and tortoises.

When to go to visit Lake Baringo

The best time to visit the Lake is during the dry season. This typically runs from June to October and from December to March. During this time, the weather is warm and dry, and the wildlife is more easily visible as they congregate around the lake in search of water.

It’s also important to note that the lake’s water levels fluctuate depending on the season. Water level is often being highest in November and December. Visitors planning on boating or fishing on the lake should be aware of these seasonal changes and plan accordingly.

 Attractions

Some of several activities and attractions that visitors can enjoy in the lake include;

  • Bird watching
  • Boat tours
  • Fishing
  • Cultural tours
  • Hiking and trekking
  • Visit Lake Baringo Island
  • Hot springs

How to get there

Here are some ways to get to Lake Baringo:

  1. By road: From Nairobi, you can take the A104 road to Nakuru, then turn onto the B4 road towards Kabarnet. After passing Kabarnet, follow the signs to Lake Baringo. The journey takes about 5-6 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
  2. By air: There are several flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the nearby Kabarnet airstrip. From Kabarnet, you can take a taxi or arrange for a transfer to the Lake.
  3. By public transport: There are several buses and matatus (shared taxis) that operate from Nairobi to Kabarnet and other nearby towns. From Kabarnet, you can take a taxi or boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) to the Lake.

About Lake Bogoria National Reserve

Lake Bogoria National Reserve is a stunning area with the crimson cloud of flamingoes and geysers effervescent with the maximum surprising warm water volcanic springs.

Much extra is the charming phenomenon of the new springs, an illustration that molten rock does now no longer lie some distance underneath the earth’s surface.

Attractions

The clouds of red They are the big flocks of flamingoes who go to the nonetheless waters of the lake to feed at the algae. Since the lake has no outlet, it’s miles saline and consequently a number of blue and inexperienced algae, which paperwork exclusive sun sunglasses of the lake too other than the red of the flamingoes.

Wildlife

Overgrazing due to farm animals encroachment is causing a significant problem within the reserve. And there is very little wildlife to be seen. However, the birding is terrific and the actual draw is the flamingos. Leopard tortoises are pretty numerous. Mammals occasionally encountered are impala, dik-dik, zebra, Grant’s gazelle and warthog.

Birds

It has extra than 350 birds on its list. However the primary enchantment is an expected million lesser flamingos which flock in the shallow waters feeding on algae.

Mixed in are many more flamingos as well. Lake Bogoria is one of the excellent locations in Kenya to look big flocks of those birds. Plenty of different waterbirds are clean to spot. And the decision of a fish eagle is in no way a ways off.

How to get there

People visit Lake Bogoria as a side trip from Nakuru because it is located 250km/155mi from Nairobi. The lake has become more popular to visit now because some of the flamingos, which had to leave Lake Nakuru due to unfavorable conditions, have made Bogoria their new home.

You can both be part of a safari in Nairobi or hire a vehicle and go to Lake Bogoria independently. The southern front to the reserve is placed 38km/23mi north of Nakuru – a 4wd is essential. The sealed avenue from Nakuru to the northern front is 150km/93m.

Best time to visit

Lake Bogoria isn’t a traditional safari destination. The quality time to go to is while there are plenty of flamingos, however that is unpredictable. At maximum instances of the year though, there are generally an amazing quantity of flamingos, which makes it profitable travelling at any time of the year.