Lake Elmentaita

Lake Elmentaita is a soda lake, in the Great Rift Valley, about 120km northwest of Nairobi, Kenya. Lake Elmentaita is derived from the from the Maasai word muteita, meaning ‘’dust place,’’ a reference to the dryness and dustiness of the area, especially between January and March. The lake Elmentaita is near the town of Gilgil, then in the south-to-north sequence of the Rift Valley lakes, Lake Elmentaita is between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru. Today Lake Elmentaita is a protected area for a safari due to its bird life, and has been named as an UNESCO heritage site together with Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria.

As part of the UNESCO Kenya Lake System World Heritage Site, Lake Elmentaita is globally-recognized as a natural treasure to be preserved, protected and appreciated. Although the lake region has fewer mammalian species than other areas in East Africa, more than 15000 animals roam to conservancy property

At the southern end of the lake are the ‘’Kekopey’’ hot springs, in which has introduced fish, the lake Magadi tilapia, breed. The reed beds nearby are fishing grounds for night herons and pelicans. The area was declared as a Ramser site in 2005. During the dry season, the black lava islands provide the only suitable nesting and breeding grounds for the Great White Pelican in the Rift Valley region.

Due to the small size of the lake, fluctuations of water level affect the salinity of the lake and therefore the conditions alter, making it an unstable place for the flamingos to rely on for food supplies, however lake Elmentaita is a paradise for bird lovers as it has over 450 species, also including the migratory birds, from Europe, it is also well known as a breeding and feeding ground for many threatened bird species.

Lake Elmentaita is part of the Soysambu Conservancy, founded in 2007. The lake shore is an important area for various animal species including zebra, Gazelle, Eland, warthog and a sanctuary for the rare Rothschild Giraffe amongst the acacia trees removing tender leaves from branches while adeptly avoiding the treacherous thorns, which also serves as a sanctuary for the nationally threatened colobus monkeys, many species of plains game are commonly sighted, and you may have a fortuitous experience of sighting the bush pigs, duikers, bushbucks and also other fauna, the lake Elmentaita is as well a home to the tufted-eared caracal, golden and striped jackals and many other predators can be spotted on your Kenya safari to lake Elmentaita.

On your safari, the varied terrain offers volcanic hills, acacia woodlands, grassy plains and stands of the Warburgia fever trees and Euphorbia candelabra, as you travel you may come upon craters, lava flows, plugs and other remnants of the region’s rich volcanic history, as well as odd geometric patterns created by the process of erosion in the highly porous soil. Towards in the southern end location that is thought to be an ancient passage site involved in the yesteryear ivory and salve trades.

Lake Elmentaita like all other saline lakes, the ecology of Elmentaita is greatly influenced by rain and water levels, specific conditions must be maintained, or the levels of the algae, fish and the all other invertebrates have to decline, and when the abundance of the food declines, most of the animal species, bird species do extinct and go to other saline lakes in Kenya where the food is easily got that is the number of the flamingos, pelicans fluctuates.

Due to the fact that the lake Elmentiata is part of the Soysambu conservancy on the well-known lands, the tourists on their safari to the area can be given a number of the activities to do participate in like the day and night game drive, hiking safari, bird watching, walking safaris, visiting geological sites and many more.

Where to stay in Lake Elementiata.

There are various of the accommodation facilities for the guests during their safari in Lake Elmentiata, that are categorized into Budget, Mid-range and the Luxuries, for the tourists who would wish to explore the cool breeze of the area there are also options for camping, as includes the Lake Elmentaita serena camp, sleeping warrior, Sunbird lodge, Jacaranda Lake Elementaita lodge, Sirville Lkae Elementiata lodge, Brownie’s Guesthouse and many more.

Best time to visit the Lake Elmentiata.

Lake Elmentiata is a wonderful wilderness to visit throughout the year, but the most recommended time to visit the lake is during the dry season,  in the months of June, July, August, September, October, January, February during that time, the wildlife viewing can be better, and you get to see a variety of the species in a small area.

How to get to Lake Elmentiata.

Lake Elmentiata can be accessed by both air and road transport from the Nairobi city to the lake.

By Road transport.

Lake Elmentiata can be accessed through the Nairobi-Nakuru highway and enter the lake are through the Lake Nakuru National Park Nderit gate; the drive to lake Elmentaita from the Nairobi city takes 2 to 2 and a half hours to reach the lake.

By Air transport.

By air transport you fly from the Nairobi Wilson Airport to one of the airstrips in Naivasha and then drive to Lake Elementaita.