Kenya belongs to the Great African Lake Region and is host to an endless number of naturally diverse lake destinations. Kenya is home to 9.5% of Africa’s lakes, making the country the second-largest host of all African lakes. Most of Kenya’s largest lakes are a series of correlated water bodies, and some have multiple jurisdictions in African states. Most of Africa’s lakes are found in the Great African Rift Valley (extending from Jordan to Mozambique), with Kenya home to some. Only some of Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana are in the country’s territory.
Kenya has numerous beautiful lakes ready to be explored, whether you are looking for a summer vacation, exciting on and underwater adventures, or are fascinated by the history and geology of natural lakes.
10 Best Lakes in Kenya for an Idyllic Nature Escape in 2023
The best aquarists’ paradise in Kenya is closer than you think!
Lake Magadi
Lake Magadi, lying in the Great Rift Valley and bordering Tanzania to the south, is an extremely shallow pool of salt flats best described as a sludge bed of white soda. Lake Magadi is 32 km long and 3 km wide and is also the world’s second-largest source of sodium carbonate, with salt layers reaching up to 40 meters in thickness.
Like a shimmering mirage under the desert heat, vast salt flats sparkle across the arid horizon. Occasionally, the lake appears pink due to natural chemicals and minerals, forming the most magnificent view for sore eyes. The lake is a new wonderland being in a remotely isolated, arid place with lots of breathtaking scenery to offer. Tourists take a road trip or fly to the Magadi Town airstrip with cheap and affordable flight tickets.
Must do: Skinny-dipping at the naturally heated hot springs is best done in the colder seasons or early in the morning. Get free fish pedicures in the more excellent parts of the lake. Engage in bird and wildlife watching. Watch millions of migrating flamingos, pelicans, hornbills, and marabou stocks wading through the waters; you might also spot groups of lions, rhinos, elephants, zebras, antelopes, monkeys, and baboons. Campers and lodgers can stay at Lake Magadi Tented Camp.
Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha, located 60 miles northwest of Nairobi, is a freshwater lake. Located over six thousand feet above sea level, it is the highest lake in Kenya’s Rift Valley. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful scenery of flowers and lush green forests. Nairobi and Lake Naivasha are 98 kilometers apart, and a road trip would take 2.5 hours.
Lake Naivasha is ideal for families and hikers. Strollers can walk alongside giraffes and antelopes at Crescent Island and catch a glimpse of white-and-black Columbus monkeys. The lake is also home to over 500 species, alluring bird lovers.
Must do: Travelers can go fishing and boating in search of hippos. Hike up Mount Longonot to get a bird’s-eye view of the landscape. Other adventurous excursions include a cycling expedition into Hell’s Gate. Drop in for high tea at Elsamere, surrounded by lush tree canopies.
Lake Turkana
Located in the Rift Valley and measuring 320 km long and covering over 2,473 square miles, Lake Turkana is the world’s largest permanent desert and fourth-largest salt lake. Famously dubbed the “Pearl Sea” or “Jade Sea” due to its turquoise water color, the lake is hemmed in by incredible-looking dormant volcanoes and a desert-filled horizon featuring wind-driven, ferociously serrated vegetation.
Three national parks are in lake environments: South Island, Central Island, and Sibiloi.Visitors can find a variety of wildlife species in the three parks, including Turkana mud turtles, zebras, antelopes, giraffes, waterfowl, breeding Nile crocodiles, diverse snake species, and hippopotamuses.
Must do: a multi-day road trip in a 4×4 vehicle because of the jagged, harsh terrain. Visit the Koobi Fora deposits to explore mammalian, molluscan, and other fossil remains. Bird watching and game drives to spot wildlife in the nearby parks. Take camping safaris (Lake Turkana has no lodges nearby).
Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru National Park is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of other interconnected lakes in the Great Rift Valley. This alkaline lake is famed for its millions of migratory, majestic pink flamingos. The lake is the ultimate ornithologist’s daydream, with over 450 bird species, including starlings, weavers, eagle fish, storks, hammer birds, and yellow-billed pelicans.
Tourists would also enjoy breathtaking wildlife, including leopards, waterbucks, impalas, elands, Rothschild’s giraffes, black rhinos, zebras, and ostriches. This lake park is home to giant pythons and is surrounded by lush green forests, waterfalls, and dangling cliffs—a perfect sight for adventurers.
Must do: hike to Makalia Falls for a splendid view and head along a short, steep trail to the Out of Africa viewpoint. Bird lovers can enjoy the sight of spectacular aquatic bird life.
Lake Bogoria
This UNESCO World Heritage Lake, protected by a national wetland reserve, is located north of the equator. This shallow alkaline lake sliver is 60 kilometers from Nakuru on the Rift Valley floor basin. The main draw of Lake Bogoria is its never-ending series of geysers blasting away a sulfurous haze. Although some of these searingly hot springs have been reduced to hot, bubbling brooks, they are still quite a sight.
During migratory seasons, Lake Bogoria is tinged pink by millions of lesser and greater flamingos feasting upon the monoculture of microscopic blue-green algae. Climb the cliffs west of the lake for a better view of the birds. The surrounding lake environment is home to other birdlife, including avocets, steppe eagles, fish eagles, pelicans, and extensive wildlife, which include dik-dik, warthog buffaloes, and hyenas, among others.
Must do: Tourists can relax on the solid-rock lake beach, watch the flamingos, watch the geysers erupt, and boil eggs in some of the hot springs. Travelers can also visit Lake Bogoria National Reserve, home to kudus and a rare antelope species.
Lake Elementaita
Lake Elementaita is a UNESCO World Heritage freshwater lake. Located 120 kilometers northwest of Nairobi and is the smallest of the Rift Valley’s lakes. , Elementaita rests below Sleeping Warrior, a volcanic hill. The scenic lake is home to 400 bird species, including flamingos. For this reason, this lake is a perfect destination for aquarists looking for quiet, relaxing nature.
Lake Elementaita is the only known breeding spot for pelicans in Central and East Africa. Lying within the Soysambu Conservancy, the lake hosts nearly 10,000 species of animal life, including leopards, jackals, Rothschild giraffes, elands, antelopes, herons, and zebras, among countless others.
Must do: Stop along the Naivasha-Nakuru highway to enjoy the photogenic scene of Elementaita from the open road. Tourists can also take a short hike to the hilltop resort for a magnificent aerial view of the surrounding landscape.
Lake Baringo
Lake Baringo is only a few miles away from Lake Bogoria and is surrounded by a similar scenic and rugged semi-desert landscape. Most tourists pay for a combined Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo tour package. This remote wonderland is a freshwater lake home to over 470 bird species. Lake Baringo is remote, with few tourists flocking to the site, making it ideal for nature lovers looking for an idyllic getaway.
The lake is an oasis surrounded by a harsh semi-desert environment with scanty acacia trees. Tourists still enjoy bird watching and wildlife viewing despite the recent mysterious lake flooding. Visitors can also hire a boat to visit the lake’s majestic islands, including its largest island, Ol Kokwe, which features eye-catching fumaroles.
Must do: Activities include exploring the local cultural heritage, touring prehistoric sites, and sport fishing. Tourists would also love hiking and trail adventures to sightsee the beautiful scenic Rift Valley escarpments featuring Tugen Hills and Mount Tiaty. Paragliding and motorsports (such as rhino riding) are available for thrill seekers.
Lake Victoria
Measuring 59,947 km2, Lake Victoria is hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania and ranks first in Africa and third in the world in size. The lake feeds the River Nile through an outlet on the northern lake shore. Tourists looking for a pleasurable vacation can enjoy watching mammals, including hippopotamuses, wetland mongooses, cane rats, bohor reedbucks, and waterbucks. The lake also teems with aquatic life: Nile crocodiles and various species of mud turtles. The lake is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with hundreds of species flocking to this wetland.
Must do: Take up a fishing challenge in the turbulent waters of Lake Victoria. Explore the fantastic Luo culture. Hikers can trek to secret caves, while thrill seekers can go on boating cruises, kayaking, and quad biking in time to watch the incredible sunsets shimmering on the lake’s calming waters.
FAQs about Lakes to Visit in Kenya
Q: What are the best lakes to visit in Kenya?
A: Kenya boasts a diverse array of stunning lakes waiting to be explored, including Lake Magadi, Lake Naivasha, Lake Turkana, Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Lake Elementaita, and Lake Baringo.
Q: What makes Lake Magadi a unique destination?
A: Lake Magadi, nestled in the Great Rift Valley and bordering Tanzania, stands out for its shallow pool of salt flats, making it the world’s second-largest source of sodium carbonate. Visitors can marvel at its shimmering pink appearance and engage in activities like skinny-dipping in natural hot springs and bird watching.
Q: Why should tourists consider visiting Lake Naivasha?
A: Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake situated northwest of Nairobi, offers picturesque scenery, abundant wildlife, and activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, and cycling. Visitors can also explore nearby attractions like Crescent Island and Hell’s Gate National Park.
Q: What makes Lake Turkana a must-visit destination in Kenya?
A: Lake Turkana, the world’s largest permanent desert lake, captivates travelers with its turquoise waters, stunning volcanic landscape, and rich wildlife diversity. Visitors can embark on adventurous activities like bird watching, game drives, and exploring fossil deposits at Koobi Fora.
Q: What attractions await tourists at Lake Victoria?
A: Lake Victoria, shared by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, offers a plethora of experiences, including wildlife viewing, fishing, cultural immersion, and water sports. With its vast expanse and diverse ecosystem, Lake Victoria is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
