LAKE BOGORIA &LAKE BARINGO In addition to their scenic beauty both Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo contain some of the most fascinating biotopes in the Great Rift Valley, a nine thousand kilometre long fissure in the Earth’s surface extends from the Lebanon to Mozambique and then across Kenya in East Africa. The Great Rift Valley originated around two hundred million years ago and the volcanic activity in the region is still active. Twenty kilometres north of Marigat is Lake Baringo, a unique biotope. The crystal-like surface of the lake fascinates in so many ways. Due to its abundance of fresh water Lake Baringo is an important habitat for numerous plants and wildlife. The purity of the lakes plays a vital role in creating the wonderful vegetation that is to be found in this region and the idyllic landscape around Lake Baringo boasts an impressive variety of vegetation and more than four hundred different species make Lake Baringo one of the most popular bird spotting areas in Kenya. The legendary Lake Bogoria is situated almost a thousand metres above sea level and is well known for its large numbers of flamingos which are a breathtaking sight. The famous geologist and scientist, John Walter Gregory, praised the spectacle of these flamingos as, “The most fascinating sight in Africa”. However, despite such praise Lake Bogoria is still more a place for an interested few rather than those who are keen to explore Kenya’s more popular tourist destinations. The pink flamingo can grow to a height of one point fifty metres and is mainly monogamous. How it can distinguish its partner from the other birds of the huge colony is an enigma! These elegant water birds are not only loyal partners they also take great pride in their appearance as each flamingo spends much of the day tending to its beautiful feathers. It must now only be a matter of time until both lakes in the north of the Great Rift Valley attract more tourists who will seek out the fascinating delights of these remarkable natural reserves. Until then both Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria will remain an untouched paradise for the wildlife that graces their shores.
