Lake Elmenteita
Lake Elmenteita is a small soda lake, nestled in the eastern sweep of the Great Rift Valley. The lake attracts many visiting flamingo, and it shores are grazed by zebra, gazelle, eland and families of warthog. The lake and its surrounding forests are perfect for long walks and birding. The Lake is surrounded by spectacular country that played an important role in the early colonial history of Kenya. This was the estate and stronghold of Lord Delamere, the builder of the Kenya colony. Today Elmenteita is a peaceful and low-key place, lying in the shadow of an impressively peaked hill known locally known as the ‘Sleeping Maasai’.
Getting There
Elmenteita can be directly accessed Nairobi by bus. The main highway continues to Nakuru. Elmenteita is about one and a half hour drive from Nairobi. The nearest town is GilGil. There is an airstrip in Naivasha, with charter flights available. Lodges and camps here can organize transfers from Nairobi to Naivasha.
Getting Around
This is a good area to explore on foot. Lodges and Camps here can organize local excursions.
Related Travel Information
Hell's Gate National Park
Hell's Gate National Park covers an area of 68.25 km2 and is situated in the environs of Lake Naivasha about 90 km from Nairobi. The park is situated 14 km after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway. It is characterised by diverse topography and geological scenery. It is an important home of the lammergeyer.
However, it was a fascinating landscape, with large pipes crawling all over the valley, occasionally rising to a cap from which steam emerged. You could actually see where the volcanic pipes had pushed up in some places, just stopping short of the surface.
Lake Kariba
Lake Kariba is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world —180 miles (290 km) long and up to 20 miles (32 km) wide (see "Lake Kariba" in the Zimbabwe chapter for full details). The Zimbabwe (southern) side of the lake is currently more developed than the Zambia (northern) side of the lake. Canoe safaris are offered downstream of Kariba Dam through the Kariba Gorge.
Lake Ngami
Lake Ngami is a relic of the superlake that once covered much of northern Botswana. South of the Okavango Delta, the lake is now completely dry - except when fed by water from the flooded delta. When David Livingstone first saw this lake in 1849, however, he described it as more than 100 mi/160 km long. When wet, the Ngami is filled by an incredible number of water birds, including flamingos, eagles, storks and pelicans - it is one of the best bird-watching spots in the world. Before making the trip, be sure the lake has water; otherwise, there's
Lake Bogoria
At the beginning of Kenya's great Northern Wilderness lies Lake Bogoria.
The lake is the heart of an arid landscape, in the shadow of the dramatic walls of the Siracho Range. The soda waters of the lake attract massive flocks of Flamingo, and the lake is often carpeted with pink.
The 32 sq km lake is still volcanically active, and the Western shore is lined with spouting geysers, spurting steam and bubbling geothermal pools. Fresh water springs at the lake edge attract an abundance of birds and wildlife.
There are many Fish Eagles, which often prey on the local flamingos.
The shores
Lake Volta
Lake Volta is one of the world's largest artificially created lakes. Normally called as "Volta Lake” by the locals, it stretches more than 320 mi/520 km. The dam, near the village of Akosombo, was a monumental project that was fraught with problems but now provides electricity for much of the country. Don't take pictures of the dam. Its illegal to take photographs over there, so be cautious.
