At Lake Bogoria the ground itself seems alive. Along the shore of this long, narrow soda lake, jets of steam and boiling water burst from the earth, hot springs bubble up through white crusts of salt, and, beyond the mist, millions of pink lesser flamingos move across the shallows like a shifting carpet. Above it all rises the Ngendelel Escarpment, a sheer wall some 600 metres high.
Bogoria is one of the most spectacular sights in the Kenyan Rift Valley, and one of the least crowded. It is protected as the Lake Bogoria National Reserve and is recognised as a wetland of international importance.
The lake at a glance
- Type: a shallow, saline, alkaline soda lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley.
- Size: about 32 square kilometres of water, roughly 34 kilometres long and 3.5 kilometres wide. The surrounding reserve covers about 107 square kilometres and was established in 1970.
- Setting: squeezed into a trough beneath the Ngendelel Escarpment, in Baringo County, south of Lake Baringo.
- Recognition: a Ramsar wetland of international importance, and part of the UNESCO-listed Kenya Lake System.
- Managed by: the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Geysers and hot springs
The lake’s shore sits above a geothermal field, with around 200 hot springs and several geysers. The water in some springs is hot enough to boil an egg, and mineral deposits form fantastic terraces around them. Steam rises above the shore in the cool of early morning. Please keep to marked paths, since the ground near the springs can be dangerously hot and unstable.
The flamingos
Despite its extreme salt and heat, Bogoria teems with life at a microscopic scale. Blue-green algae, spirulina, bloom in the water, and that is the food of the lesser flamingo. At times, well over a million birds gather along the shore, and up to two million have been recorded. Their numbers change from year to year, as flamingos move between Bogoria, Nakuru, Elmenteita and other lakes, following the algae. When they are here, the sight and the sound are unforgettable. When they are elsewhere, the lake remains dramatic, with a wide variety of other water birds, and the geysers still steam.
Wildlife of the reserve
The reserve protects bushland and acacia woodland along the lake. Greater kudu, with their spiralling horns, are one of Bogoria’s specialities. Zebra, impala, baboons, hyenas, cheetah and leopard also live here. More than 350 species of bird have been recorded, and the escarpment is a place to look for raptors.
What to do
- Scenic drive along the shore: viewpoints let you see flamingos, hot springs and the escarpment.
- Visit the geysers and hot springs with a ranger or guide, at the safe viewing points.
- Look for kudu and other wildlife at dawn and dusk.
- Walk and birdwatch in the reserve with a KWS guide.
- Photograph the contrast between pink birds, white salt, steam and red cliffs.
- Combine it with Lake Baringo, one hour to the north.
Practical information
- Getting there: about four to five hours by road from Nairobi. Bogoria is often visited as a day excursion from Lake Baringo.
- Best time: the reserve can be visited year-round. Early morning is best for flamingos and for mist over the springs. Flamingo numbers vary, so we check recent reports before you travel.
- Safety: do not touch or approach the hot water; stay on marked paths and follow guide instructions. Do not swim in the lake.
- Dress: hats, sunscreen and sturdy shoes. It can be very hot.
- Health: use repellent and see our Health & Safety page.
The Rift Valley lakes together
Bogoria works best as one stop in a circuit of the Rift Valley lakes: Naivasha for freshwater, hippos and boat rides; Nakuru for rhinos and birds; Elmenteita for flamingos and pelicans; Baringo for birds and boat rides; and Bogoria for geysers and flamingos. Together, they show the full range of the Great Rift Valley.
Lake Bogoria with Offmap Safaris
We include Bogoria on Rift Valley circuits and northern Kenya routes. Plan your safari, message us on WhatsApp +256 701 243 304 or email [email protected]. Read our Responsible Travel page too.