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| An aerial view of Lake Turkana |
Starting down from the
south is Lake Chala and Lake Jipe near Taveta fed by streams
from Mount Kilimanjaro. Of the two, Chala is stunning and lies on a privately
owned sanctuary. To the north in the 2,090 sq. km Marsabit National park is Lake Paradise. The lake is a crater
lake and one of the three lakes that are home to many bird species in Kenya.
Its fame resulted from early films and writings by Martin Johnson and Vivien de
Wattville. Between Homa Bay and Kisumu City is Sidi Crater Lake that harbor quit a number of flamingos. Lake Victoria, once known as Victoria
Nyanza, covers an area of 69,490 sq. km (26,830 sq. mi). It forms natural
boundaries between Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The lake is 337 km (209 mi)
long at its greatest length, and stretches about 240 km (about 150 mi) at its
greatest width. Victoria is the world's second largest freshwater lake, after
Lake Superior. It is drained by the Nile River (the second longest river in the
world), and its chief affluent is the Kagera River. It has sandy beaches and
many islands. In Kenya, the Rift Valley holds the most lakes. According to
Travel Discover Kenya, Lake Logipe
is one of the lesser known Rift Valley lakes located south of the Turkana.
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| A vegetation map showing boundaries at Lake Victoria |
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| Flamingoes at Lake Nakuru |
Lake
Turkana is the largest of the Rift Valley lakes and covers
an area of 6,405 sq. km. Originally known as Lake Rudolf, a name given by the
first Europeans to spot it, is located in the north western part of Kenya. It
was named Lake Turkana in 1975. It is also a prehistoric site with a rich
history of Man. Lake Bogoria is
synonymous with hot water springs. Located in the Ngendelel escarpment, it’s
the only lake in Kenya you are likely to have some ‘cooking lessons’ (boiling
maize and eggs in hot water springs). Lake
Baringo in Baringo county of Kenya is a fresh water lake. The 130 sq km
lake is home to some fishing and water sports activities. Around the lake is
the Njemp community with a rich cultural background. Crocodiles, hippos and a
nearby snake park are some other reasons worth visiting the lake. According to
KWS, Lake Naivasha is home to over
450 bird species including the African Fish Eagle. It is a fresh water lake and
the highest of all Rift Valley lakes at 1880 meters above sea level. Lake Elmenteita about 30 km from Nakuru
is located on private land. It has a rich birdlife and visitors are allowed in.
Lake Nakuru is located 160 km
northwest of Nairobi and is home to fuchsia pink flamingos, fish eating
pelicans and some other 450 bird species. The lake from which Lake Nakuru
National Park is named after, was gazetted to protect the endangered flamingos
and also provide sanctuary to endangered species such as the Rhino, Rothschild
Giraffe as well as other wildlife ranging from the black rhino, antelopes, the
lion, the leopard, elephant, buffalo and other game. Lake
Magadi located 120km from Nairobi is home to sodium carbonate mines. Little
information exists about Lake Rutundu
and Lake Alice. According to Travel
Discover Kenya, Lake Rutundu is situated in the northern slopes of Mt. Kenya at
10,200 feet just above the forest line. The two lakes are privately stocked
with Rainbow Trout. Horse riding and fishing excursions are arrange from lodges
in the area.
