Lakes in Meru
Lake Ellis: Mount Kenya National Park
On day two of hiking Mount Kenya via Chogoria Route, having spend the maiden night at Chogoria Bandas in the bamboo zone at the forest’s border, at 3,000 ms asl, you follow the track that leads up through glades of montane forest. There is possibility to spot wildlife en route. Day two, aiming for Lake Ellis, is proper hiking day, but intermittent. In three hours, just in time for lunch, you arrive at the pretty Lake Ellis. After a short rest in the late afternoon, it is traditional to hike to the top of nearby Mugi Hill to help with acclimatization before returning to camp at dusk.
The 28-acres Lake Ellis (and Höhnel) differs from many other lakes and tarns found in Mount Kenya National Park is that it has a brown shade hue due to the abundance of lacustrine vegetation and the resulting humus-stained water. It sits almost equidistant between Lake Michaelson (6 km north) and Lake Alice (5 km south) in close proximity to Urumandi Hut on the northern ridge of the Gorges Valley. It also forms the head of triangle between Nithi Falls and the Gates Falls. Some of the other natural formation near Lake Ellis include small ponds linked to the main lake, Mugi Hill located 2 km east of the lake and rising 180 ms above the surrounding country, and the outline of Giants’ Billiard Table in the distant south.
Of a more recent development is the upgraded paved road to Lake Ellis along Theemwe Route en route Point Lenana. Many of the lakes and tarns in Mount Kenya National Park are situated around the slopes of the main peak and mostly on the floors of the large cirques. Among the great deal of rock-basin lakes are: Oblong, Hausburg, Emerald and Nanyuki Tarns situated in the head of Hausburg Valley; and Gallery Lake and the larger of the Thompson Tarns in Hobley Valley. Other small lakes include the Tyndall Tarn, Harris Tarn, and Kami Tam. Both the Curling Pond and the Lewis Tarn are tiny pro-glacial pools; no bigger than ponds.
Kenya is blessed with several lakes, each offering unique attractions, ecosystems, and opportunities for exploration. Shared with Uganda and Tanzania, Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake in the world by surface area. Known for its geysers and hot springs, Lake Bogoria is among the unique lakes along Kenya’s Rift Valley. All these lakes not only provide scenic beauty but also support diverse ecosystems.
Index of Lakes Around Kenya
Baringo County - Lake Bogoria, Lake Baringo, Lake Kamnarok, Garissa County - Lake Ishaqbini, Homa Bay County - Lake Simbi Nyaima, Kajiado County - Lake Magadi, Lake Amboseli, Lake Natron, Kisii County - Lake Okari, Lamu County - Lake Kenyatta, Lake Moa, Kisumu County - Lake Victoria, Meru County - Lake Thai, Lake Nkunga, Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson, Lake Rutundu, Lake Alice, Magado Lake, Nakuru County - Lake Solai, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Lake Oloiden, Crater Lake, Lake Elementaita, Nyandarua County - Lake Olbolosat, Siaya County - Lake Sare, Lake Namboyo, Lake Bob, Lake Kanyaboli, Taita Taveta - Lake Jipe, Lake Chala, Tana River County - Lake Shakababo, Turkana County - Lake Logipi, Lake Turkana, Lake Alablab, Wajir County - Lake Yahud
Famous for its wildlife, rich agricultural lands, and stunning natural attractions, Meru County, on the north-eastern slopes of Mount Kenya, is the immemorial enclave of the Ameru nation. Inhabited mainly by the sub-tribes of Imenti, Tigania, Igembe, and Tharaka, Meru County has one of the best developed touring circuits.
You Are Here: Lake Ellis, Mount Kenya
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Explore Destinations Nearby Lake Ellis, Mount Kenya
A Guide to Meru County
A Summa Digest of Meru
About Meru Way Back When
65 Destinations in Meru County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then west - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Kierra Valley, Kierra Ridge, St. Mary’s High School, Anabas Resort Trout and Seafood Grill, Tharuu Springs, Giitune Sacred Forest, M.Mpuri Cultural Centre, Meru Museum, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Meru Sports Club, Alba Hotel, Kathita Falls, Irine (Devil's Bridge) Falls, Cool Stream Garden, Thiiri Cultural Centre, Kaaga Methodist Church, Kaaga War Memorial, Kiathandi Hill, Mpogoro Forest, Stone Woman Kieiga Forest, Njuri Ncheke Headquarters at Nchiru, Ngaya Forest, Meru National Park, Twin Baobab Tree, Elsa’s Kopje, Ikweta Safari Camp, Adamson Falls Bridge, Rhino River Camp, Giant Meru Oak, Lake Nkunga, Mucheene Forest Station, Mucheene Cave, Lake Thai, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Sirikoi House, Nyambene Reserve, Liga Ria Ngutu, Lake Magado, Ngare-Ndare Forest Reserve, Ngare-Ndare Falls, Mount Kenya National Park, Sirimon Route, Mount Kenya One Day Trip, Theemwe Route, Theemwe Springs, Marania Route, Lake Rutundu, Rutundu Log Cabins, Chogoria Route, Nithi Falls, The Gates Falls, Lake Alice, Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson, Vivienne Falls, Timau River Lodge, Wonky House, Tamalu Farm, Charanna Farm, Kisima Farm, Kisimani Resort, Mwonyo Valley, Giant Footprints
Know More About Meru County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.12?
Meru County’s positioning on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya and the equator has highly influenced its natural conditions and economic prospects. Altitude ranges from 300m to 5,199m asl.
What’s The Air Like In Meru?
The topography of Meru County has a critical influence on its climate. Temperatures range from a low of 8 Degrees to a high of 32 Degrees Celsius during the cold and hot seasons respectively.
