Lake Magadi

One of these places lies in Kajiado County at a distance of approximately 88 km from Nairobi and 115.6 km by road from Nairobi. This is the home of Lake Magadi which is famously known as the “pink lake.” The lake is pink in color because the mineral is formed by chemicals such as sodium carbonate leeched by igneous rocks in the volcanic valley and washed down the valley’s walls and carried into the lake’s trough by the hot springs on the edges of the lake. Lake Magadi is a natural resource with wonders of its own. At some point, if you are schooled in Kenya you must have been taught about Lake Magadi. Lake Magadi is not for the faint-hearted. In the heat of summer, the temperatures reach 40 degrees and the area is desert-like desolate. Sandy outcrops are home to Maasai families and their goats. Vegetation is sparse and fresh drinking water is a rarity. The flat fawn-colored rocks stretch out to the horizon, broken only by the Ngurumani escarpment a moonscape, not of this world. As the rains come the lake refills and the bird life always numerous explodes: Flamingo, Pelican, plover, sunbirds, finch, and myriad others. There are larger animals within the conservancy: Giraffe, Zebra, Oryx Wildebeest, and on occasion lion and elephant. But this isn’t a place for viewing animals this is a place to gaze in wonder at the scenery. To draw breath in Kenya’s raw nature, to marvel at the resilience of the life that exists here. We were at the shores of Lake Magadi for Wildman Planet Marathon. A three-hour journey through the severe countryside. Sand and Acacia trees are your only companions for most of the potholed and dusty road. The path to Magadi gives you the opportunity to glimpse inside the lives of one of the more famed Kenyan tribes, the Maasai. Peppered along the route are Maasai Villages, not tourist mimicry but real people living real lives. The journey to Magadi is a chance to see Kenyan people still living the way their forefathers did. Life appears to have remained the same for centuries. Traditionally dressed villagers tend cows and babies, or in a nod to modern times wait at the roadside for boda bodas to bring cartons of water. Our tented campsite situated just on the shores of the lake offers breathtaking scenery at sunset with the shadow of the Ngurumani escarpment and the sun rays reflecting on the surface of the water. The mining dredges on the lake also form an amazing sight at night with the lighting of the waterlines to the factory. The tents are self-contained; have a bed with white clean fresh beddings; the walls and roofs are made of canvas. All tents are fitted with air conditioners. Room service is available 24/7. A bonfire place set towards the shores of the lake; the cool soft wind blows across this area in the evening as visitors enjoy music and dinner as well as drinks and beverages from the bar counter set on the side. Around Magadi, you will be surprised that the town is a very clean and Peaceful environment. Unique connection to nature. Very hot but very worth it. Wonderful people and beautiful views of the sunrise and sunset, flamingos. Natural hot springs. The hot natural springs emanating from the ground should make you want to visit lake Magadi.