National Parks & Reserves in Baringo
Lake Baringo National Reserve
The 130 km2 Lake Baringo, famous for its rich biodiversity and engrossing beauty – once described by British geologist and explorer John W. Gregory as the most beautiful view seen in Africa – is Kenya’s second largest lake. The lake contains several islands. It is not only a scenic attraction and ecologically significant asset but also an essential resource for the local community that depend on it for their livelihoods. Lake Baringo is situated 25 km north of Lake Bogoria.
It is one of the two freshwater lakes along Kenya’s section of the Great Rift Valley, the other being Lake Naivasha. Its fresh nature is mainly thanks to the fact that it has a submarine outlet discharging water northwards to Kapedo Falls, and also that it gathers up great quantities of fresh water from its nexus of inflowing rivers. Lake Baringo, fed primarily by Rivers Molo, Perkerra and Ol Arabel, has thirteen islands, each holding a unique beauty and mystery.
It’s possible to visit at least seven of these islands on a long seaward afternoon of exploration: Lokoros, Rongena, Lengai, the Devil’s Island, Samatian, Ol kokwe and Parmolos. There are plenty of motorized hop-on hop-off boat taxis for rental at Kampi ya Samaki. The lodges can also arrange for the trip. For the traveller with only the objective to enjoy quick aesthetics and serenity of the lake, shorter trips aboard the traditional reed-woven ambach boats, popularly used by the Njemp fishermen, can be arranged with no advance planning.
Rather unmistakeable around Lake Baringo is the overt, undeviating and dreary shrubland. Prosopis, a perennial thorny shrub native to the Americas, was introduced here in the 1980’s. It was intended to ensure self-sufficiency in wood products, make the environment habitable and also to safeguard the existing natural vegetation from over exploitation. In many places where it has been introduced, there have been many benefits, however, at Baringo, especially around the lake, it became notoriously invasive and it has been of little use.
Another attraction unique to Lake Baringo National Reserve is a wonder located high above the cliffs. The basalt cliffs of Lake Baringo are famous among bird-lovers as one of few places in Kenya to spot the rare Verreaux’s eagles, or African black eagle. “The cliffs of Baringo are their favourite haunt because these birds of prey are among the most prey-specific of any avian predator, hunting for rock hyrax, the close kin of the elephant” – R. Mangat. It is located 21 km from Marigat
Kenya certainly has enormous touring resources. There are no less than sixty national narks, reserves and game sanctuaries, covering approximately 11% of the land surface. Each of these diverse and stunning national parks and reserves offers unique wildlife experiences and unique, breathtaking landscapes.
Index of National Parks & Reserves in Kenya
Baringo County - Lake Baringo National Reserve, Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Kerio Valley National Reserve, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve, Bomet County - The South Western Mau National Reserve, Busia County - Malaba Sanctuary, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Rimoi National Reserve, Embu County - Mount Kenya National Park; Irangi Forest Station, Mwea National Reserve, Garissa County - Bour-Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Rahole National Reserve, Arawale National Reserve, Boni National Reserve, Homa Bay County - Ruma National Park, Isiolo County - The Bisanadi National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Shaba National Reserve, Kajiado County - Amboseli National Park, Kakamega County - Kakamega National Reserve, Kilifi County - Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve, Watamu Marine National Park, Malindi Marine Reserve, Kisumu County - Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Ndere Island National Park, Kitui County - Mwingi National Reserve, South Kitui National Reserve, Kwale County - Shimba Hills National Reserve, Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park & Reserve, Lamu County - Dodori National Reserve, Kiunga Marine National Reserve, Machakos County - Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Makueni County - Chyulu Hills National Park, Ngai Ndethya National Reserve, Mandera County - Malka Mari National Park, Marsabit County - Losai National Reserve, South Island National Park, Marsabit National Park & Reserve, Sibiloi National Park, Meru County - Meru National Park, Mombasa County - Mombasa Marine National Reserve & Park, Nairobi County - The Nairobi National Park, Nakuru County - Mount Longonot National Park, Crescent Island Sanctuary, Hell's Gate National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Nandi County - Bonjoge National Reserve, Narok County - Masai Mara National Reserve, Nyeri County - The Aberdare National Park, Samburu County - Samburu National Reserve, Maralal National Reserve, Siaya County - Lake Kanyaboli Reserve, Tana River County - Kora National Park, The Tana Primate National Reserve, Taita Taveta County - Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Tharaka Nithi County - Mutejwa National Reserve, Trans Nzoia County - Mount Elgon National Park, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Turkana County - Central Island Reserve, South Turkana Reserve, West Pokot County - Nasolot National Reserve
outlook
Touring Baringo County offers a unique blend of cultural experiences, natural wonders, and outdoor adventures. Many of its hidden gems, along Kenya’s Rift Valley, create unforgettable memories. Baringo County’s vast ecological gamut is a road-trip lover’s playground, birder’s haven and photographer’s paradise.
You Are Here: Lake Baringo N. Reserve
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations Near Lake Baringo
A Guide to Baringo County
A Summa Digest of Baringo
About Baringo Way Back When
52 Destinations in Baringo County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north then south - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Mogotio Equator Crossing, Hotel Lomanira, Olduka Valley, Maji-Moto Hot Springs, Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Lake Bogoria Spa Resort, Loboi Plains, Irong Community Conservancy, Chuine Community Conservancy, Laikipia Escarpment, Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, Lake Baringo National Reserve, Kerubo Swamp, Robert's Camp, Royal Doves Garden, Soi Safari Lodge, Teddy Bear Island, Samatian Island Lodge, Ruko Conservancy, Kaptuya Conservancy, Korosi Volcano, Kabarion Conservancy, Paka Volcano, Nakegere (Kapedo) Falls, Mount Silale, Korongoro Hotel, Lomechan Caves, Daraja ya Mungu, Kimalel Goat Auction, Tugen Hills, Katimok Forest, Kabarnet Museum, Kirandich Dam, Morop Hill, Kikojo Falls, Kimng’ochoch Conservancy, Morop-Tarambas Conservancy, Simot Falls, Releng Hot Springs, Kipsaraman Museum, Kolloa Monument, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve, Chebloch Gorge, Kerio Valley National Reserve, Metkei Ridge, Lembus Forest, Eldama Ravine, St. Swithin’s Church, Koibatek Forest Reserve, Chemususu Dam, Timboroa Railway Station.
Know More About Baringo County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Baringo County varies widely in altitude from 700 ms to 3000 ms. One of the prominent features in Baringo is the Kerio Valley, situated in the western and lowest region. Rising above the valley are the Tugen Hills.
Temperatures vary from region to region in, ranging from 22 to 35 degrees C. Due to its varied altitudes, the sub-counties in Baringo County receive different levels of rainfall.
