How to Get to Lake Bogoria National Reserve : The beautiful saltwater lake known as Lake Bogoria National Reserve, or “The healing place,” is tucked away in the northern Kenyan mountains. This area, which spans 107 square kilometres, is a veritable gold mine of species, stunning scenery, and geothermal activity. The wonders and kenya safari tour attractions of Lake Bogoria await us. The distance between Nairobi to Lake Bogoria is 250 km/155 mi. Most people travel to Bogoria from Nakuru as a side excursion. Lake Bogoria National Reserve is accessible in two ways.
By Road
The reserve is accessible by three routes via three gates located at Loboi, Maji Moto, and Emsos. The primary route is the Nakuru-Marigat road, with a right-hand turn three kilometres before Marigat town. The reserve headquarters, the Loboi Gate, is 20 kilometres away from this intersection. To reach the other two gates, take the road that splits off to the right, close to the Mogotio Shopping Centre, which is 36 kilometres from Nakuru town. 38km/23mi north of Lake Nakuru is the southern entry to the reserve; a 4WD is necessary. There are 150km (93mi) of sealed road between Nakuru and the northern entrance.
Nairobi, one of the continent’s major transportation hubs, is where the majority of Kenya safari tourists arrive in Kenya. It takes roughly five hours to drive from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Lake Bogoria National Reserve, which is 15 km/9 mi southeast of the city. A portion of the road was flooded during the approximately five-hour drive. It is advised to use 4×4 wheels. Near the shore, you may stroll up to thousands of pink flamingos and take nice pictures of them. Despite the long travel, it is worth it because this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. You belong there if you love flamingos.
Airstrips in Lake Baringo provide air access to the Reserve, and the Marigat intersection provides vehicle access. The roads in the park are difficult, so you’ll need a competent 4WD vehicle to navigate it well. On the other hand, the northern portion of the reserve, close to the Loboi gate, has an unclassified, non-gazetted airstrip that is accessible to light aircraft.
Things to Do in Lake Bogoria National Reserve
In Kenya’s Rift Valley sits Lake Bogoria. The lake is alkaline and located in a volcanic area. Observing the hot springs and flamingos was the most breathtaking aspect of the trip. It’s a very lovely and green place. In fact, it is occasionally the habitat of one of the biggest flamingos on Earth. The roads are really bumpy, so it was terrible to get to the lake from the main entrance. It is therefore preferable to have a four-wheel drive and a driver who knows the area well because there are numerous roads and no signs pointing out the location of the hot springs or the best route.
There are so many flamingos that it will be impossible to count them all. Pelicans and other species are visible, of course. The lake, the pink flamingos, the green alkalic water, the mountains in the background, and the hot springs where you can boil eggs are all part of the breathtaking sights you receive as you drive and stop.
Flamingo watching
Nothing compares to seeing thousands, or even millions, of glistening pink flamingos cover the small lake. Sitting there and watching them do their thing is stunning and wonderful. The birds will retreat defensively if you approach, but they will shuffle back like a beautiful pastel postcard if you stay for a few minutes. Typically, the best pictures are taken early or late in the day.
Nature walk
It’s better to explore the region on foot because you can see the flamingos, who are the main attraction here, at the lake and the hot springs. Step out of your safari vehicle and stroll around the region, taking in the intense heat while you unwind.
Boil an egg
As the spring heat builds, this will make you want to eat something. Want to show off your ability to cook at the lake? Local ladies sell raw eggs to interested tourists just outside the reserve. To make your own hard-boiled or soft-boiled egg, you can take your egg and immerse it in the hot springs. Enjoy your egg while observing the flamingos; you’ll be ready in a few minutes. This lovely sight of the hot spring is tucked away in a quiet place at the foot of the rift valley, surrounded by hills. Not one, not two, but dozens of hot springs with water that is meters high and boiling and splashing. It’s hot enough to boil an egg in the water.
Bike safari
If you have a bike, you can ride it around. You can enjoy the variety of the scenery and fauna here by going on a cycling safari around the lake. You’ll pass scorching geysers and hot springs while cycling. When you bring your camera along to capture those breathtaking images
Game viewing
The scenery and flamingos are the main draws of the reserve. Water levels and algae concentrations affect the flamingos’ migration. Greater kudu also call the reserve home, though it is rare to observe these majestic animals. Occasionally, you can spot impala, Grant’s gazelle, Kirk’s dik-dik, and warthogs crossing the street. The plains are home to Gazelle’s warthogs, Burchell’s Zebras, and impalas. The hot springs and campsites are frequented by vervet monkeys and olive baboons, while the area is also home to spotted hyenas, leopards, and mongooses.
Birdwatching
Although Lake Bogoria National Reserve is home to over 350 species, its most notable feature is the estimated two million lesser flamingos that congregate there to feed on algae in the shallow waters. Several larger flamingos are also mixed in. Large flocks of these birds can be seen in one of Kenya’s best destinations, Lake Bogoria. The call of a fish eagle is always nearby, and there are many other water birds to identify. Up to two million flamingos can occasionally be seen feeding in the lake, which is home to a sizable population. Spirulina platensis dominates the phytoplanktonic flora throughout the majority of the lake, despite the absence of macrophytes.
As many pairs and mate-seeking adults congregate during mating seasons, the most graceful of birds, the grey-crowned crane, will be observed performing wooing dances. There are several common ostriches around lakeshores, and sacred ibises, hadadas, and black-headed herons can be seen near marshes. Because the lake is so salty, there aren’t many water birds there. The black-necked grebe, Cape teal, and lesser flamingo are the three bird species that make the lake particularly valuable for conservation..
