Lake Elementaita

Lake Elementaita is another Kenya’s alkaline lake that lies between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru set within the eastern portion of the rift valley. Today much of the lake is part of the private Soysambu Conservancy. The area is much less visited than other natural attractions in the region, so you enjoy a sense of privacy and solitude in a wondrous volcanic landscape. My photography friends and I were here for a night and we spent it at Treehouse. The lake is a Mecca for bird lovers as the Lake is a stop-over for over 350 bird species. This is what brought us to Lake Elementaita, With the varied terrain that is offered, volcanic hills, acacia woodlands, grassy plains, and stands of Warburgia fever trees and Euphorbia candelabra, we were set for an amazing photoshoot and light chasing experience! Although the lake region has fewer mammalian species than other areas in East Africa. You may see Rothschild giraffes amongst the acacia trees removing tender leaves from branches while adeptly avoiding the treacherous thorns. The most popular activities at the lake are day and night game drives, bird watching and walking safaris, giving you many options to ensure a fascinating tour of Lake Elementaita. Daytime game drives are offered in the early morning and early evening when the wildlife is most active. Like other alkaline lakes, the ecology of Elementaita is greatly influenced by rain and water levels. Specific conditions must be maintained, or the levels of algae, fish and invertebrates decline. When the abundance of these food sources declines, birds and other species prefer other Kenyan soda lakes where food is easier to locate. As a result, the number of flamingos and pelicans fluctuates. At night, the East African bush transforms into an eerie, silent world of restless herbivores and hungry predators in a constant struggle for survival. Bat-eared foxes, striped hyenas, eagle owls, elusive leopards and other night hunters primarily come out of their hiding places at night, so you not only see these animals but also observe their unique nighttime behaviors. Another site of interest for you to explore Lake Elementaita is the Kekopey hot springs. The springs are an integral part of local traditions, as the water is believed to have healing properties. I recommend a morning visit to the springs, as this is the best time to see pied kingfishers and yellow-billed storks, but the surroundings around the springs are also superb for birdwatching any time of day. If you are fit, you can also trek the Sleeping Warrior Crater and the Hill of Mawe Mbili.

Lake Elementaita, located on the Rift Valley 130km from Nairobi CBD, is the least visited among all the other lakes on the rift. This is because most of the land around the lake is privately owned. The most known location around lake elementaita is the Soysambu conservancy. When visiting the conservancy, you can experience day and night game drives, quad biking, horse riding on the shore of the lake and bird watching. Apart from visiting the conservancy, there is an upcoming trend around Lake Elementaita that I have experience. There are airbnbs where you book and spend a night or two in cottages next to the lake. The airbnb I booked charged 20,000/= per night but it was such a great experience. It was my friend’s birthday and we decided to have it in lake elementaita. We booked 2 weeks in advance. You pay half when booking and the other half 1 day before you arrieve. The payment catered for accommodation in the 5 bedroom cottage, a chef to cook all your meal while you are there and a bonfire. The privacy in the cottages allows for great time with friends, as lovers and even families book airbnbs in lake elementaita to have a holiday there. It was so much fun. There was even a consensus on the day that we were leaving, to pay for one more day. Sadly, it had been booked so we couldn’t extend our stay. I’d recommend you try the airbnbs in Lake Elementaita at least once.

Lake Elementaita is a small soda ash lake 18 sq km in size, and is located on the eastern side of the Great Rift Valley. From Nairobi, it is a 2 hour drive while from Nakuru it take approximately 30 minutes from Nakuru CBD. Unlike its neighbouring Lake Nakuru which houses a National Park, Lake Elementaita in best known for its numerous resorts and camp sites. Most of the land around the lake is privately owned and majority of the owners have gone above and beyond to build resorts, campsites and airbnbs that suit the different needs of travelers. Personally, I have visited 5 different resorts within that area but the one that stood out is the Soysambu Conservancy. I stayed at Simon’s Campsite which overlooks Lake Elmenteita among Acacia and Candleabra trees. We had to carry our own tents as a formality. The view from the campsite is something else. It faces south with a commanding view of the Sleeping Warrior crater and Mt. Eburu. We settled in at around 5pm and this gave us time to go for horse riding. You wouldn’t believe how excited I was. To ride horses on the shores of the lake with the view of the flamingos and a beautiful sunset. I can attest that it exceeded my expectations. After that, we got to go for a night game drive. I have never done a night game drive before and this was something I was looking forward to. Imagine seeing all these wildlife in their natural elements at night. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that night. The camping experience was also quite something although you need to be prepared tp keep warm. Its freezing in the wee hours of the night. This is truly a hidden gem.