Lakes in Tana River County
Lake Shakababo: Near Ngao Village
Over and above the seasonal wetlands in the oxbows and floodplain depressions, Tana River Delta contains a series of more-or-less permanent lakes and marshes. These include: Lakes Bilisa, Dida Warede, Harakisa, Kongolola, Kitumbuini, Moa and Shakababo. Some of these lakes dry out in certain years but others, like Lake Shakababo and Bilisa, maintain true aquatic plants like the nile cabbage and lily. The little-known Lake Shakababo is located on the western side of Ngao village.
Ngao extends parallel with Tana River, that flanks it on the eastern – along its north-south course. Lake Shakababo and Tana River place the Ngao village in the middle. This may account for its place-name of “Ngao” that translates as “shield” in the local lingua-franca of the native Pokomo. There was an irrigation scheme across the River Tana some years back where the people of Ngao used to grow rice, maize, beans and other crops. It fell into disuse. Fish farming in River Tana is also an important economic but not as popular as livestock and crop farming.
The potential sites for fish farming along Tana River are at Lakes Mukuyuni and Tamaso (ox-bow lakes) and periodically at Lake Shakababo, which is threatened with elimination and so often completely drying up in the dry season as it did in 2018. This was the result of the diversion of the water further upstream and the dwindling of tributaries. Lake Shakababo used to be an important fishery like Lake Moa until a barrier was built, affecting the normal flow of water. As a result it has slowly been shrinking in size. The lake now supports only a few Tilapiine species.
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
outlook
Tana River County is a rewarding destination for travelers interested in exploring off-the-beaten-path locations in Kenya. River Tana is the longest river in Kenya, flowing through the county and offering opportunities for riverine activities such as boat cruises, fishing, and birdwatching. Tana River County is home to the Orma and Pokomo ethnic groups, each with rich cultural traditions, music, and dances.
You Are Here: Lake Shakabobo
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Explore Destinations Nearby Lake Shakabobo
A Guide to Tana River County
A Summa Digest of Tana River
About Tana River Way Back When
28 Destinations in Tana River County, arranged as one would visit these - north to south - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Ngao Neukirchen Church, Lake Shakababo, Delta Dunes Lodge, Ozi Conservation Area, Tana River Lodge, Old Town Kipini, Ungwana Bay Ruins, Shaka Ruins, Mwana Ruins, Fumo Liyongo Shrine, Kipini Conservancy, Red Cliff Camp, River Tana Delta, Tana Delta Colonial Forts, Tana Delta Cultural Centre, Tana Primate National Reserve, Mchelelo Bandas, Ndera Conservancy, Mau Mau Hola Monument, Hola Methodist Church, Bura St. Jude, Bura Irrigation Scheme, Bura East Conservancy, Arawale National Reserve, George Adamson's Grave, Kora National Park, Adamson's Fall, Tana River Bridge
Know More About Tana River County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Tana River County has a hot and dry climate with average annual temperatures of 30oC; the highest,41oC, is in January-March and the lowest being 20o C in June-July. Rainfall is low, bi-modal, and erratic.
The land generally sloping eastward, Tana River is all undulating plain that is only interrupted in a few places by low hills – at Bilibil and Bura.