List Of Best Lakes To Visit In Kenya

Here is a list of the best lakes to visit in Kenya. Kenya is home to 64 lakes, and the nation contains 9.5% of Africa’s lakes. A chain of eight lakes is found within Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, and none of these lakes have a clear outflow. The lakes have high rates of evaporation, and salts and minerals have built up within them. Only two of these lakes contain fresh drinking water.

Kenyan lakes and their incredible beauty, each with its own unique features, are among the best scenes to visit. The following are the best lakes to visit in Kenya.

Top Lakes To Visit In Kenya

1. Lake Victoria

Sindo, is a small town on the shores of Lake Victoria in Suba, Homa Bay County. Photo credit: Abele Ibrahim I Facebook

Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. It is located in the heart of East Africa, in the Great Rift Valley. The shallow lake was formed around 400,000 years ago when several rivers were dammed by the shifting of the earth’s crust. Water was collected in a depression that is now Lake Victoria. Over the millennia, the lake has dried out and refilled multiple times. Lake Victoria is one of the main sources of the Nile River.

Straddling the countries of Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya, Lake Victoria is not just an impressive geographical feature. It is also a lifeline for the millions of people in its basin. It is the largest inland fishery in Africa. The shores are dotted with bustling cities and quaint villages Lake Victoria is also historically significant for the region. The explorer John Hanning Speke named the lake after Queen Victoria while he was searching for the source of the Nile.

Best Things to do in Lake Victoria

  • Visit the Islands: Lake Victoria contains almost 1000 islands. Some of the most beautiful are the Ssese Islands in Uganda. This is an archipelago of 84 islands in the northwest of Lake Victoria. This string of islands offers some beautiful, secluded beaches and tropical forests. You can catch a ferry to the islands from Entebbe, Uganda.
  • Bird Watching: Lake Victoria is a paradise for bird lovers. Home to over 200 bird species, you can spot African fish eagles, malachite kingfishers, pied kingfishers, and many more.
  • Go fishing: Hire a guide and go fishing. Nile perch and Nile tilapia are some of the common species here.
  • Eat some fish: For thousands of years, people have been fishing in Lake Victoria. Enjoy a nice fish dinner on the shore. All of the local restaurants serve fresh fish from the lake.
  • Swim: The water is nice, but you do need to be aware that parts of the lake are contaminated with the bilharzia parasite.
  • Visit the source of the Nile: The source of the Nile is located near Jinja, Uganda. You can take a boat tour or view the source of the Nile from the shore.
  • Take a ferry ride: Schedules are a bit unpredictable, but ferries are crossing between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Most passenger ferries operate domestically between the mainland and the lake’s many islands.
  • Go for a walk: A walk along the shore is always nice. Lake Victoria is very scenic.
  • Go for a boat ride: You can hire a small motorboat and a guide to show you around. You can also rent a kayak or canoe.
  • Stay at one of the lakeside eco-resorts: These make for a great relaxing getaway.
  • Explore Kisumu: On the Kenyan side, the city of Kisumu offers a vibrant urban experience with numerous attractions such as the Kisumu Museum, the Impala Sanctuary, and the Kisumu Beach Resort.
  • Discover Mwanza- Known for its prominent rock outcrops that dot the cityscape, Mwanza in Tanzania offers a unique urban experience in the Lake Victoria basin.
  • Explore Entebbe– Located on a peninsula in Lake Victoria, Entebbe, Uganda, is a city rich in history and natural beauty. A visit to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens offers a chance to stroll through lush greenery and spot monkeys and various bird species. The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre is another must-visit for animal lovers. Uganda’s international airport is also located here.

2. Lake Naivasha

Located in Nakuru County, just outside the town of Naivasha, Lake Naivasha is a large freshwater lake that is easily accessible from Nairobi. Situated at an elevation of 1,884m, Lake Naivasha is the highest lake within the Great Rift Valley. The 98-km journey from Nairobi takes around 2.5 hours, and the lake’s proximity to the capital makes it a popular day trip or weekend break for city dwellers. To escape the crowds, we recommend that you visit during the week.

Lake Naivasha is a great destination for wildlife viewing, and the surrounding area is home to 1,500 hippos. You can also expect to see a range of the lake’s 400 bird species, including giraffes, zebras, impalas, and waterbucks, along the shoreline. We recommend that you take a boat safari to get the best view of the breathtaking landscape.

Best Things to Do in Lake Naivasha

  • Visit Hell’s Gate National Park: This popular park is located just south of Lake Naivasha. It’s known for its wildlife and natural beauty. You can go for a hike or rent a bike and ride through the park and visit Fischer’s Tower, Hell’s Gate Gorge, and Central Tower. There are some great wildlife-spotting opportunities here. Rock climbing is also a popular activity.
  • Go for a bike ride: Rent a bike in the town of Naivasha or from one of the locals near the lake and explore the area under your power. Cycle along the lakeside or through Hell’s Gate National Park.
  • Go for a boat tour: Watch the hippos and see how many bird species you can spot. Pelicans and cranes are commonly found on the lake. Along the shore, you may spot a Cape Buffalo or other grazing animals.
  • Hike in nearby Mount Longonot National Park: The hike to the top of the mountain takes 4-5 hours and offers some incredible views of the Great Rift Valley.
  • Visit Crescent Island Game Sanctuary: This island offers a unique experience. Here, you can walk among the animals on a foot safari. There are no dangerous predators on the island. You’ll see zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, antelopes, and more.
  • Go birdwatching: Over 400 species of birds inhabit the lake and surrounding area. Look out for African fish eagles, ospreys, lily-trotters, and pelicans, among others.
  • Enjoy the floriculture. The Lake Naivasha region is known for its flourishing flower farms. Some farms allow visitors to tour and learn about the flower-growing process.
  • Visit Lake Nakuru. This beautiful Rift Valley lake is located only about 90 kilometres away. You can get there in a couple of hours or make a day trip out of it.

3. Lake Nakuru

Located in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru sits at an elevation of 1,745 m, and it is known for the vast number of flamingos that feed off its algae. The lake turns into a sea of pink during this astonishing visual spectacle. The lake fluctuates between 5-45 km2 depending on rainfall, and it is nestled within Lake Nakuru National Park.

Surrounded by waterfalls, cliffs, and forests, Lake Nakuru is a vital water source for rhinos, zebras, buffalo, and Rothschild giraffes. If you do not have time to visit Kenya’s most popular national parks, we recommend that you visit Lake Nakuru National Park as a standalone day trip from Nairobi. Lake Nakuru is just a 3.5-hour drive from the capital, and it is a scenic spot for a picnic.

For the best view of Lake Nakuru, we recommend that you trek to the Out of Africa viewpoint along a short, steep trail. The viewpoint was made famous by the 1985 film ‘Out of Africa’, and it derives its name from this Hollywood appearance. Lake Nakuru is also recognised as a Ramsar site, indicating its global importance as a wetland. The lake’s alkaline water supports Cyanophyta spirulina (a type of blue-green algae). This is a food source for the vast quantities of flamingos that inhabit the lake.

Best Things to Do in Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru isn’t the kind of lake where you go sit around, relax, and go for a swim. The main draw here is the nature and wildlife.

  • Go on a game drive and view the wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park: See the flamingos, black rhinos, southern white rhinos, lions, baboons, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, and waterbucks, as well as a multitude of bird species.
  • Go camping: There are several campgrounds along the shores to choose from. You can pitch a tent and enjoy the African night sky.
  • Take a hike: The landscape is unique and beautiful. For those who love a bit of adventure, a hike up Baboon Cliff. This hike offers a stunning view of the lake and its surrounding areas.
  • Visit Makalia Waterfalls: Located in the southern part of the park, Makalia Waterfalls is a great place to relax and enjoy the serene beauty of nature. The water from the falls flows into Lake Nakuru
  • Bird watching: Lake Nakuru is a paradise for bird lovers. The star attraction is the millions of flamingos that gather along the shores of the lake. Other bird species include African fish eagles, Goliath herons, hamerkops, and over 400 other bird species.
  • Photography: With its rich birdlife and stunning landscapes, Lake Nakuru is very picturesque. The sight of pink flamingos covering the lake makes for unforgettable photos.
  • Visit Lake Naivasha: This beautiful Great Rift Valley lake is located about 90 kilometres away from Lake Nakuru. You can get there in just a couple of hours by minibus or make a day trip out of it.

4. Lake Bogoria 

Lake Bogoria. Photo credit: @ItsMiller_G I Twitter

Located just north of the equator, Lake Bogoria is a shallow, narrow alkaline lake that has been declared a Ramsar site due to its major ecological importance. Alongside other Rift Valley lakes, Lake Bogoria is a nesting site for flamingos, and over 2 million flamingos have been known to nest on its shores. You can expect to see flamingos at Lake Bogoria at any time of the year.

Located around 250km from Nairobi, Lake Bogoria is a 4-5-hour road journey from the capital, and many travellers combine a visit to Lake Bogoria with Lake Baringo. Bogoria’s remote location means it attracts fewer visitors than nearby national parks. You will feel as though you have the entire lake to yourself.

Lake Bogoria lies just north of the equator in a volcanic region of the rift valley. Due to the volcanic activity, multiple geysers and hot springs can be found around the shores of the lake.

Best Things to Do in Lake Bogoria

  • View the flamingos: At times, the population can reach numbers of up to 2 million individuals. They don’t live there all the time. They divide their time between several lakes in the region, including Lake Nakuru, Lake Logipi, and Lake Magadi. Their pink hue against the turquoise water of the lake creates a beautiful contrast.
  • Go wildlife viewing in Bogoria National Reserve: This semi-arid park was opened in 1970. Here, you can spot wildlife such as the Greater Kudu, zebra, buffalo, cheetah, baboon, impala, and more. There are also over 135 species of birds living in the reserve.
  • Go camping: Several campgrounds can be found near the shore of the lake. This is a peaceful and beautiful place to camp.
  • Watch the geysers erupt and visit the hot springs: The geothermal activity under the lake fuels hot springs and geysers that intermittently spray water and steam, an exciting display of natural power. Some geysers can spew water up to 5 metres high. The geyser activity depends on the water level of the lake.

5. Lake Turkana

This unique lake, spanning across Kenya’s Rift Valley Province and into Ethiopia, is the largest permanent desert lake in the world. It is also the largest alkaline lake in the world. The surrounding area is a desert made mostly of volcanic rocks. An aptly named island near the centre of the lake, Central Island, is an active volcano.

Lake Turkana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, acknowledged for its wealth of fossils that have contributed immensely to the study of human evolution. Some of the earliest humans inhabited this area. The area surrounding the lake has seen the discovery of hominid fossils, which are invaluable in understanding human ancestry.

Lake Turkana is relatively untouched due to the heat, lack of fresh water, and general uninhabitability of the region. Several national parks protect parts of the lake, including Sibiloi National Park, Central Island National Park, and South Island National Park. Unfortunately, the future of Lake Turkana is unknown. The Gilgel Gibe III Dam, which is currently being constructed on the Omo River in Ethiopia, will dam the river, which supplies most of Turkana’s water

Best Things to Do in Lake Turkana

  • Visit Central Island National Park: Located in the middle of Lake Turkana, the park comprises three active volcanic craters, which you can view. You can also see flamingos, crocodiles, and a vast array of bird species.
  • View the wildlife: Massive herds of hippos and Nile crocodiles inhabit the lake. If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot a Turkana mud turtle, which is a species that is endemic to the lake.
  • Visit the local tribes for cultural experiences: You can visit several local communities, such as the El Molo and Turkana people. Experience their rich culture, traditions, and unique ways of life adapted to the harsh desert conditions.
  • Visit Sibiloi National Park: This fascinating but difficult-to-reach national park is known for its palaeontological sites, where many early human fossils have been found, including those of Australopithecus. In 1997, this area became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Koobi Fora: Known as the cradle of mankind, Koobi Fora is an important archaeological site located on the eastern shore of Lake Turkana in Sibiloi National Park. A guided tour will take you through the area where numerous hominid and animal fossils have been discovered.
  • Take a boat tour: A boat trip is an ideal way to appreciate the vastness of the lake and spot some wildlife.
  • Go for a walk or hike. The volcanic geology is pretty unique and beautiful in its way.
  • Birdwatch: Hundreds of species of birds inhabit the area around the lake, including the wood sandpiper, African skimmer, flamingo, and little stint.
  • Go to the beach. Near the village of Eliye, you can visit a small beach and even stay in the nearby resort. Sit out on the sand and enjoy the views.
  • Fishing: Hire a guide and try your hand at fishing in the lake. Nile perch and tilapia are some of the common species here.
  • Visit Eliye Springs: Also known as “Ilye,”  this is a popular beach located on the western shore of Lake Turkana. The spring water is believed to have healing properties.

6. Lake Magadi

Lake Magadi is a lake in the Great Rift Valley, southern Kenya. Lake Magadi is 32km long and 3km wide and is located about 240 km east of Lake Victoria. This salty, alkaline lake, about 100 square kilometres in size, consists of a concentrated brine of sodium carbonate that precipitates large amounts of the mineral trona, the raw material for soda ash, or simply sodium carbonate. In some places, the salt layer is up to 40 metres thick.

This trona is collected and purified by the Magadi Soda Company, and the resulting soda ash is sold for a variety of purposes, including glass production, fabric dyeing, and papermaking. Lake Magadi is one of the few places in the world where trona forms naturally, and it is the largest source of natural soda ash in Africa. Therefore, Lake Magadi cannot miss being mentioned in the list of the best lakes to visit in Kenya.

With salt flats stretching to the horizon, Lake Magadi is surrounded by vast salt flats that sparkle in the intense heat typical of the region. The soda water turns pink in the light, and the freshwater springs on the shore offer a natural spa for visitors. The lake has shrunk in size over the past 15 years, and experts warn it won’t exist in another five years if no measures are taken to protect it.

Best Things to Do in Lake Magadi

  • Flamingo Watching: Lake Magadi is home to a variety of bird species, including flamingos. Birdwatchers can enjoy observing these beautiful birds in their natural habitat.
  • Hot Springs: The lake is known for its hot springs. Visitors can relax and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the hot springs while taking in the scenic surroundings.
  • Photography: The stark, white landscape of Lake Magadi, with its soda flats and alkaline waters, provides a fantastic backdrop for photography. Capture the unique colours and patterns created by the mineral-rich environment.
  • Game Viewing: Although Lake Magadi is not a traditional safari destination, you may encounter some wildlife in the area. Keep an eye out for zebras, wildebeests, and other animals that roam the region.
  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the shores of Lake Magadi on foot. The surrounding area offers opportunities for hiking and nature walks, allowing you to appreciate the diverse flora and fauna.
  • Cultural Interaction: Engage with the local Maasai communities in the region. Learn about their culture, traditions, and way of life. Some organised tours offer cultural experiences, including visits to nearby Maasai villages.
  • Stargazing: Due to its remote location and limited light pollution, Lake Magadi is an excellent spot for stargazing. Enjoy the clear night sky and observe the stars and constellations.
  • Picnics and Relaxation: Bring a picnic and enjoy a leisurely day by the lake. The peaceful surroundings make it a great place to relax and unwind.

7. Lake Elementaita

Lake Elementaita, or Lake Elmenteita, is a freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley region, right between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru, in the silhouette of a sleeping warrior on a local hill. The lake is located in central Kenya, about 120 km northwest of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, just off the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. Lake Elementaita is home to over 400 species of birds, including the famous flamingo, and for that reason, it is a reserve that helps preserve the lake’s and the lake’s heritage-listed birds. Lake Elementaita is also a Ramsar site. Thanks to this special feature, Lake Elementaita has become one of the best lakes to visit in Kenya.

Located near the town of Gilgil, Lake Elementaita is the only known breeding ground for pelicans in East and Central Africa. Flamingos are also a sight to behold here, although in much fewer numbers than at Lake Nakuru. The lake can be seen from as far away as the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway running along the nearby cliffs. Lake Elementiata is part of the Soysambu Reserve, the residence of the British Lord-Lord Delamere during the colonial period in Kenya. On the other side of Soysambu is the Kekopey Farm, which was occupied by Hon. Galbraith Lowry Egerton Cole between 1881 and 1929. Currently, the Soysambu reserve covers about two-thirds of the shoreline of Lake Elementiata and is home to about 10,000 species of animals. Mammals include Rothschild giraffes, herons, leopards, jackals, elands, antelopes, zebras, and others.

Best Things to Do in Lake Elementaita

  • Bird Watching: Lake Elementaita is a haven for birdwatchers, with numerous bird species, including flamingos, pelicans, and various migratory birds. The lake is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA), making it a perfect spot for bird enthusiasts.
  • Nature Walks: Explore the scenic beauty of the area by taking a nature walk around the lake. Many lodges and campsites provide guided walks, allowing you to appreciate the diverse flora and fauna.
    Game Viewing:
  • Visit the Soysambu Conservancy, which borders Lake Elementaita, for a chance to see wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, and buffaloes. Guided safaris are available for a more immersive experience.
    Hot Springs Visit:
  • The Kariandusi Prehistoric Site, known for its archaeological significance and hot springs, is located nearby. Take a trip to experience the unique geothermal features and learn about early human history in the region.
    Boat Tours:
  • Explore the lake by taking a boat tour. This allows you to enjoy the stunning views and observe the birdlife from a different perspective.
    Photography: Especially during sunrise and sunset. Capture the vibrant colours of the sky and the reflections on the calm waters.
  • Cultural Visits: Engage with the local communities and learn about the Maasai culture. Some lodges offer cultural visits, where you can witness traditional dances, visit villages, and interact with the residents.
    Relaxation and Wellness:
  • Many lodges and resorts around Lake Elementaita offer spa and wellness services. Take some time to relax and rejuvenate amidst the natural beauty of the surroundings.

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