Lake Bogoria is a saline, alkaline lake and lies just south of Lake Baringo. With it’s ideal conditions, it is home to one of the world’s largest populations of lesser flamingoes. The bleak Siracho Escarpment, and moss-green waves roll down the rocky, barren shores of Lake Bogoria. Due to the lake’s alkalinity, blue green algae grows well, this in turn feeds the flamingos. The scenery of Lake Bogoria is indeed breathtaking. The road runs along the lake at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Then it climbs up to viewpoints from where the dramatic scenery can be observed on a larger scale.
Scenes of brilliant pink flamingos in millions is only found in the Rift Valley lakes of Kenya, and so is not replicated anywhere else in the world, due to the very specific environment needed by the birds. Aside from the flamingoes, there are many other birds and animals to see at lake Bogoria such as buffalo, zebra, warthog and dik dik.
Grey crowned crane is one of the most elegant of birds and they can be seen engaging in courtship dances when they gather in flocks during the breeding seasons. Common ostrich are plentiful on the lake shores, around the swamps are the black-headed herons, sacred ibis and hadada. Few water birds are at the lake because it is highly saline.
Much more is the fascinating phenomenon of the hot springs. An indication that molten rock does not lie far below the earth’s surface. About halfway along the lake, hot springs and geysers spew boiling fluids from the earth’s insides. The lake has around 200 hot springs in total.
Park rules/code of conduct
- Respect the privacy of the wildlife, this is their habitat.
- Beware of the animals, they are wild and can be unpredictable.
- Don’t crowd the animals or make sudden noises or movements.
- Don’t feed the animals, it upsets their diet and leads to human dependence.
- Keep quiet, noise disturbs the wildlife and may antagonize your fellow visitors.
- Stay in your vehicle at all times, except at designated picnic or walking areas.
- Keep below the maximum speed limit (40 kph/25 mph).
- Never drive off-road, this severely damages the habitat.
- When viewing wildlife keep to a minimum distance of 20 meters and pull to the side of the road so as to allow others to pass.
- Leave no litter and never leave fires unattended or discard burning objects.
- Respect the cultural heritage of Kenya, never take pictures of the local people or their habitat without asking their permission, respect the cultural traditions of Kenya and always dress with decorum.
- Stay over or leave before dusk, visitors must vacate the Park between 6.00 p.m. – 6.00 a.m. unless they are camping overnight. Night game driving is not allowed.