Lake
Bogoria
The
long, slender soda lake lies at the foot of
the towering Laikipia Escarpment. Towards the
southern end of the lake are a series of geysers,
boiling pools and hot springs. The 107sq km
national park also protects one of Kenya's
remaining herds of greater kudu. The lake also
boasts flamingoes and pelicans, but the region
is best known for the physical beauty of the
setting.
Lake Baringo
Traveling
further north, one finds Lake Baringo, a
freshwater lake that is home to a host of
bird life. This is the most northerly in
the chain of Rift Valley lakes and is a spectacular
center for bird-watching. The Lake Baringo
Club offers a variety of services including
wildlife walks guided by an ornithologist,
boat rides, camel rides, and local trips
to the local Njemps tribal village and a
local snake park.
As
a freshwater lake, Naivasha is used to irrigate
the surrounding countryside. Its cool climate
and fertile soil attracts Nairobi residents
seeking refuge from city life. Farms,
vegetable gardens, and vineyards contribute
to this weekend retreat atmosphere. Over
400 species of birds have been reported at
Lake Naivasha alone, making it a Mecca for
bird lovers and researchers. Joy Adamson,
author of Born Free, lived on the shores
of Lake Naivasha. Her home, Elsamere, is
now a wildlife education and conservation
center.
Also
nearby is Hell's Gate National Park, one
of only two parks in Kenya where you are
allowed to explore of foot. The Njorowa Gorge
was once the outlet from Lake Naivasha. Today
the passageway is dried up leaving sheer,
red crumbling cliffs through which you walk
unguided. The loop between the two main gates
is 22km long, but there is a 6km nature trail
from the Interpretation Center. Another attraction
in the Lake Naivasha region is the privately
owned Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. Situated
on part of the former estate of Lady Diana
Delamere, the scenery around the lake located
in a volcanic crater is splendid. This is
also the home of the ox-wagon safaris.
Lake
Nakuru National Park is world famous for
its population of greater and lesser flamingo
which at times number over a million. The
park covers 200 2 kilometers offering a cross
section of woodlands, wetlands, rocky cliffs
and the acacia scrub. The lake itself is
a shallow alkaline lake, supporting several
species of fish. It’s more that 400
species of birds have made it an ornithologists
paradise. There is plenty of game and buffalos,
leopards, lions giraffe are easily seen,
besides impala, dik dik and also the black
and white rhino.