Lake Bogoria's Geysers Make it the Jewel of Kenya Lakes

Lake Bogoria, located in the national reserve by the same name, is one of the most enchanting Kenya lakes. And the accolade is well-earned.

The shallow (10m or 33 ft deep), long and narrow Kenya lake (33 x 4 km or 18.6 x 2.4 mi) sits on an volcanically active hot bed.

As such, it boasts a couple of distinctions, the most bewildering of which is the geysers that it spurts out...

There are also several easily accessible bubbling geothermal pools which will hard-boil your egg in about 10 minutes. So, do remember to buy some eggs for this classic experiment from the kiosks strategically located just outside the national reserve's gates. And because the pools are piping hot, be careful so that you don't get scalded.

The Bogoria lake is fringed by Siracho Ranges, which forms the eastern wall of the majestic Great Rift Valley.

The Lake Bogoria National Reserve offers some tantalizing contrasts that comprise dirt tracks, thorny acacia scrub dotted with tall termite hills, the blue lake with its pink film – courtesy of the hundreds of thousands of lesser flamingoes that patronize the lake and the stunning green Sirichwa Ranges.

Kenya Birds

If you are an ornithologist, you owe it to yourself to make a date with the Bogoria lake as it is a haven for hundreds of Kenya birds.

In fact, at least 373 avian species have been recorded in the reserve, including well over 50 migratory birds and it has been declared as one of the country's Important Bird Areas (IBAs).

The lake is particularly popular with Lesser Flamingoes which flock there to feed on the lake's blue-green algae that flourishes in the lake's hot, shallow waters.

Other birds that can be spotted around the lake are eagles, Curlew sandpiper and Little stint.

Kenya Animals

Like many of the other Kenya national parks, the national reserve is home to a number of Kenya animals although, to be honest, these are anything but plentiful...

In fact, you will not see the prized African lion, African elephants, or even rhinos so don't even bother to cross your fingers for these.

You might see some buffaloes, cheetahs, mongooses and serval cats, Patas monkeys, zebras, greater kudu and Klipspringers which roam Lake Bogoria's rocky shores. If lady luck is on your side, you might even sight the elusive leopard.

In addition, several reptiles such as tortoises, agama and monitor lizards inhabit the reserve as do the deadly cobra, puff adder and black mamba which can often be seen slithering around their wild territory so do tread carefully.

Accommodation

Although Bogoria is well off the off the beaten path, there is surprisingly very decent accommodation at the Lake Bogoria Spa Resort.

Nestled amongst an acacia scrubland less than a km outside the reserve, the resort boasts some surprisingly decent accommodation consisting of comfortable en suite rooms and a nutural spa that is fed by the Lake's geothermal pools.

Return from Lake Bogoria to the Kenya Lakes