The notable Rift Valley is a highlight of any trip to Kenya, in which breathtaking natural surroundings combine with a number of Africa’s most memorable flora and fauna. A large geological fault line, the remarkable Rift Valley stretches spherical one-6th of the Earth’s circumference. alongside its lengths are volcanoes, maximum now dormant. one of the rarest animals located here is the rhino, residing alongside it are millions of flamingos – the world’s finest awareness being around Lake Nakuru

The Top 5 Places to Visit in this Great Rift Valley

Lake Nakuru National park

One of Kenya’s protected areas is around Lake Nakuru, a salt lake at an elevation of 1754 m (5744 ft) on the edge of the Rift Valley. The lake’s abundance of algae attracts a vast quantity of flamingos that famously line the shore. The park is known for its wildlife, including the endangered black rhino and Rothschild’s giraffe, and over 450 species of birds. It also contains a sanctuary for endangered species like the white rhino, the southern white-bearded wildebeest, and the eastern black rhino.

Its alkaline-wealthy water nurtures the increase of blue-green algae, attracting colossal flocks of greater and lesser flamingos, which may be visible in large concentrations, hugging the coastline. it’s far pretty a sight to behold and makes for some certainly superb photography: believe a sea of bright pink feathers towards a backdrop of green scrubland and blue sky! If birding is your aspect, you may be pleased to recognise that the park is home to a mess of other bird species – over four hundred in reality!

The park also contains a variety of vegetation, ranging from grasslands to woodlands and forests. Other attractions include several waterfalls, a water tower, and hot springs. There are also several walking trails and game drives.

Lake Elementeita

Between Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha, you will discover Lake Elmenteita – which is an extremely essential feeding ground for flamingos and a major nesting and breeding location for brilliant White Pelicans. Don’t assume to usually locate the flamingos right here even though: because of the small size of this soda lake, the water degrees can vary greatly which in turn alters the alkalinity and algae meals source – therefore flamingo sightings can not be assured in the course of the 12 months.

Lake Elementeita is a shallow soda lake in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, located about 130km northwest of Nairobi. The lake is approximately 8km long and 4km wide and lies at an altitude of 1,800 m. It is surrounded by hills, including the well-known Mount Eburru, which is an extinct volcano. The lake is home to a variety of bird species including flamingos, pelicans, and herons. It is also the site of the largest breeding colony of lesser flamingos in East Africa. The lake is also home to a variety of fish species, including tilapia and catfish.

The lake is an important source of water for the surrounding area, including Lake Nakuru National Park, which is just a few kilometres away. The lake also provides a habitat for a variety of other wildlife species, including baboons, warthogs, and antelope.

The area surrounding the lake is an important site for conservation and has been designated as a Ramsar site since 2005. There are a number of conservation initiatives in place to protect the lake, including controlled fishing and the establishment of a protected area.

Eburu Forest Reserve

The Eburu Forest Reserve is a protected area located in western Kenya. It is part of the larger Eburu National Park, which is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The Eburu Forest Reserve is located at an altitude of approximately 1,800 meters and covers an area of approximately 2,400 hectares. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including large mammals such as elephants, buffalo, and eland, as well as numerous bird species. The forest also contains a variety of endemic plant species, such as the Eburu euphorbia, which is unique to the area. In addition to its conservation value, the Eburu Forest Reserve also provides opportunities for eco-tourism. Visitors can enjoy guided walks in the forest or day trips to view some of the area’s wildlife.

Eburu Forest Reserve is an important conservation area for the region and is a refuge for many threatened species. The area is also home to a number of communities, including the Ogiek people, who rely on the forest for their livelihoods. As such, the KWS has implemented a number of management strategies to ensure that the area remains a safe haven for wildlife and local communities alike. These include the implementation of anti-poaching measures, the introduction of sustainable harvesting practices, and the promotion of eco-tourism. In recognition of the area’s importance, the Eburu Forest Reserve has been designated as a National Heritage Site by the Kenyan government.

Hells Gate National Park

A rugged panorama, hewn from millennia of volcanic activity and erosion, Hell’s Gate National Park offers site visitors the risk to revel in an area suspended in time.

An iconic wildlife sanctuary located in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, approximately 90 km North West of Nairobi. The park is known for its spectacular scenery and diverse wildlife, including large herds of zebra, gazelle, eland and hartebeest. It is also home to a wide variety of bird species as well as the rare lammergeier vulture. The park is a popular destination for hikers and cyclists, and there are several trails to explore. The area is also famous for its geothermal activity. Visitors can marvel at the steaming geysers and hot springs, which are a result of the intense heat and pressure generated by the underground magma. The park also contains a number of Maasai cultural sites, and visitors may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a traditional Maasai village.

• Fischer Tower – At 25 metres tall, Fischer Tower is a remnant of the park’s volcanic history. This craggy behemoth became shaped whilst semi-molten rock was forced thru a fissure and solidified around 35 million years ago. observed by means of a manual, site visitors can climb the tower and gaze over the encompassing place – a view that has modified little in the very long term.
• Obsidian caves – any other vestige of volcanic pastime is the obsidian caves, located along the Buffalo Circuit (a 14km music across the eastern part of the park). coming into the cool of the caves, you’ll be aware of the bright, black and dark green surface of obsidian rock. This mesmerising gleam is the result of molten lava coming into touch with water and cooling unexpectedly.

Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha, at over 6,000 toes, is the very best lake in the Rift Valley and one of its most stunning. Fringed via papyrus and with the extinct Mount Longonot as a backdrop, this is a notable location to watch and photograph birds. Over 400 species of birds have been seen within the Rift Valley, and Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and Hells Gate all provide super hen viewing opportunities.

From boat trips on the lake, you could get near Cormorants drying their wings, red-backed Pelicans, Herons, colourful Kingfishers and Fish Eagles, different birds visible across the lake include the Goliath Heron, Jacana, excellent White Egret, White Fronted Bee-eater and the Saddle-billed Stork. Lake Nakuru is surrounded by way of Acacia Forest and open grassland, and thousands and thousands of more and Lesser Flamingoes fringe the lake in shades of crimson.

The GoExplore Journeys are a Collection comprising of 2 award-winning luxury journeys around Uganda and also growing experience in Kenya, Rwanda & Tanzania. We continue to grow to be the heart of the best wildlife journeys around areas of Kenya and Uganda, Rwanda & Tanzania set in some of East Africa’s most spectacular scenery.