Lake Elementeita

Lake Elementeita ( also spelled Elementaita or Lake Elmenteita) is a small soda lake with a size of 18 square kilometers. The word Elementeita is derived from the Maasai word muteita, meaning “dust place”. A reference to the dryness and dustiness of the area, especially between the months of January and March. Lake Elementeita which is alkaline is close to Lake Nakuru National Park, part of it is within Soysambu Conservancy.

The lake is globally recognized as an Important Bird Area . Lake Elementeita has also been designated as one of the wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites) in Kenya since 2005. Lake Elementeita is one of the Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, a natural property of exceptional splendor, comprises three inter-linked fairly shallow lakes ( Lake Bogoria , 10,700 hectares Lake Nakuru 18,800 hectares, and Lake Elementaita 2,534 hectares) on the floor of Great Rift Valley and covers an entire area of 32,034 hectares.

Lake Elementeita boasts some of the world’s highest bird diversities, including 13 globally threatened species . This includes the Near Threatened Grey-crested Helmet-shrike, often found in the surrounding resident woodland.

A key component of the Great Rift Valley flyway, the lake hosts over 100 species of Palearctic migratory birds during winter, offering a spectacular ornithological display. Fed by the Kikopey hot springs and the Meroronyi and Kariandusi streams, the lake is set against a dramatic backdrop of rocky faults, volcanic outcrops, and cones. The region is arid, with erratic rainfall averaging under 600 mm annually.

Birding in Lake Elementeita is done while walking, the lake has over 400 bird species recorded. On a good birdwatching day, you can record up to 200 bird species. Both Greater and Lesser Flamingo varieties are attracted to Lake Elmenteita by the insect larvae, crustaceans, and blue-green algae. Close to four million Lesser Flamingos travel between the three lakes (Lakes Elmenteita, Nakuru, and Bogoria) . Birding in Lake Elementeita is enjoyable, the pace is commonly relaxed and flexible allowing more time for photography, and detailed bird exploration