The Great Rift Valley travel guide Introduction

The Great Rift Valley, the world’s biggest terrestrial geographic feature, measures round 6,000km (3,728 miles) from north to south. Equal to kind of one-7th of the earth’s circumference.

Additionally the major Japanese Rift Valley runs from the Jordan Valley withinside the north. Takes withinside the entire of the Red Sea, sheers via Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya,  Tanzania and Malawi, and eventually reaches the ocean close to the Zambezi Delta.

Furthermore, a separate western arm begins off evolved withinside the Sudanese Nile Valley. Then runs southward alongside the Congolese border of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania to enroll in the principle Rift near the northern tip of Lake Nyasa-Malawi.

Location

The fault line typically known as the valley extends from Tanzania through Kenya and into Ethiopia, from south to north.

Most of  falls in Kenya’s Rift Valley Province, stated to be the maximum lovely section. This well-known valley is a part of the Japanese branch (Eastern Rift Valley) of the bigger East African Rift.

The Eastern Rift Valley, or Gregory Rift, is one in every of branches of the East African Rift, the opposite is the Western Rift Valley or Albertine Rift.

 Lakes

The scenic Kenya Rift Lake system is an important part of the north-south migratory route of numerous birds.

Additionally the parks surrounding some of the lakes provide habitat for sizeable populations of black rhino, Rothschild’s giraffe, greater kudu, lion, cheetah and wild dogs.

• Lake Turkana – the largest of the Kenyan Lakes, occupies the northern end of the Great Rift Valley in Kenya.
• Lake Logipi –  a shallow soda lake fed by a hot spring, just south of Turkana.
• Lake Baringo – the second largest Kenyan Rift Lake.
• Lake Bogoria – a shallow soda lake within a game reserve.
• Lake Nakuru – a shallow soda lake within a national park since 1968.
• Lake Elementaita – alkaline lake.
• Lake Naivasha –  the highest of Kenya’s Rift Lakes.
• Lake Magadi – shallow soda lake that is the most southern of the Kenyan Rift Lakes.

Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru and Lake Elementaita host one of the world’s most diverse bird populations, including thirteen threatened species.

These lakes are hugely significant sites for Lesser Flamingos and Great White Pelicans. Other populations of international significance include Black-necked Grebe, African Spoonbill, Pied Avocet, Little Grebe, Yellow-billed Stork, Grey-headed Gull, Black-winged Stilt and Gull-billed Tern.

Game Parks 

• Lake Nakuru National Park – famous for its huge flamingo populations and home to Rothschild giraffes, as well as black and white rhino and more.
• Hell’s Gate National Park – walking is allowed in this compact park, hosting interesting geological features and a wide variety of wildlife and birds.
• Lake Naivasha – home to numerous hippos, monkeys, and over 400 different bird species, including flamingos, as well as zebra, impala, giraffe and more.
• Lake Bogoria – known for its hot springs and geysers, hosts vast populations of lesser flamingoes, and a variety of game and other birds and wildlife.

Read Also: Mount Kenya

• Lake Manyara National Park – scenic lake on the North Tanzania safari circuit, hosting huge baboon troops, a great diversity of birds and wildlife.