LAKE BOGORIA NATIONAL RESERVE FACTFILE

(A KWS Publication)

 

“Dear Visitor

On behalf of the Government of Kenya, Baringo/Koibatek County Councils and my staff, I hereby welcome you to the Bogoria National Reserve.”

 

HISTORY

Until recently this was named Lake Hannington, after an early bishop who explored the area.

LOCATED

Longitude 36”04 – 36” 08 East

Latitude 0”11 – 0”20 North

SIZE

Its area is 107 km sq (343 km sq covered by water)

ALTITUDE

From 1000 – 1670 m above sea level.

CLIMATE

Temperatures 18 – 40 degrees c

RAINFALL

600 – 900 mm/yearly at the escarpment

ANIMALS

Thousands of Flamingoes, Greater Kudu, Impala, Buffalo, Zebras, Klipspringer, Leopards etc

SCENIC BEAUTY

Steam jets, geysers along the southern lakeshore

 

Lake Bogoria has been described in the past as the “jewel of the Rift Valley” and by the words of Bishop Hannington at his first sight as “the most beautiful view in Africa.” With the backdrop of the eastern wall of the Great Rift Valley, it is a stunning beauty that has always enchanted its visitors. The contrast in colours from the grasslands into the Lake and the sky above can only describe the place as “nature’s studio.” Quote from anonymous traveller – London Evening Post 1990.

 

Lake Bogoria was gazetted 20th November 1973 as a National Reserve, and was established by legal notice no. 270 of 12th October 1974 and a boundary plan 216/26. It is 10 km north of the Equator and about 285 kms north of Nairobi.

It sits on the floor of the Eastern wall of the Great Rift Valley at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level from which the escarpment forms one of Kenya’s most picturesque backdrops.

It has a closed drainage system meaning that the water is alkaline in nature and supports only microscopic algae with no fish.

In 2000, Lake Bogoria was named as a third RAMSAR site in Kenya.

 

NATURAL ATTRACTIONS/WILDLIFE

It is well known for its hot springs and geysers dotted all around the southern shore of the lake. There are sulphur waters gushing out of the ground and known to have therapeutic values, hence are natural spas and steam baths.

It is the home of Africa’s most magnificent antelope, The Greater Kudu and a host of other savannah wildlife: zebra, impala, Grants Gazelle, Klipspringer, Buffalo, Dik-diks, Patas Monkey among others.

Predators include Leopard, Cheetah, hyenas, mongoose, jackal, and occasionally sightings of Karakul Cat.

In the recent past it has become the most stable home of the lesser flamingoes with a population sometimes approaching 2 million birds. This is in addition to over 310 resident and 50 migratory species of birds. (A total of about 374 bird species have been recorded.)

NB most of the animals are seen early in the morning or in late afternoon due to the hot weather conditions, which prevail in the area.

OPENING HOURS of the gate is 6.00 am to 7.00 pm.

CAUTION the hot spring water geyser are extremely hot – the water gushing out is at boiling point and all esteemed visitors are forewarned to be extra careful while in this part of the park.

 

Admission costs

 

 

 

Adult

Child

 

Non resident:

US$ 20

US$ 10

Resident:

KSH 500

KSH 250

Citizen:

KSH 100

KSH 50

 

Vehicle:

<6 seats Kshs 200 per day, 6-12 seats Kshs 500 per day, 13-24 seats Kshs 1000 per day, 25-44 seats Kshs 2000 per day, 45 seats or more Kshs 3000 per day.

 

 

 

Please note these rates are subject to change without notice.

 

The Senior Game Warden

Lake Bogoria National Reserve, PO Box 64 Marigat

051 40746