Tourist Places to Visit in Lake Baringo, Kenya, Africa

Tourist Places to Visit in Lake Baringo, Kenya, Africa

Lake Baringo is a spectacular lake lying between Kerio Valley National Park and Ol Ari Nyiro Conservancy, in the western part of Kenya. It holds a surface area of 130 square kilometers while its elevation measures around 970 metres. It houses an average population of 470 species of birds and also gets migrating flamingos occasionally. The lake is also home to seven fresh water fish species, including endemic Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis. Lake Baringo is surrounded by Tugen Hills towards the west and the Laikipia Escarpment to the east.

Marigat is the major town situated near the Lake Baringo. The geographical coordinates of Lake Baringo are 0°38′ N 36°05′ E. the Lake Baringo is located about 270 km northwest of the national capital, Nairobi.

How to reach Lake Baringo?

Compared to Nakuru Airport, the Eldoret Airport is the closest airport to Lake Baringo, situated not more than 100 km while Nakuru Airport is situated around 125 km away from the shore of Lake Baringo. Both of these airports receive scheduled flights from the national capital, Nairobi.

After getting down at any of the airport, visitors are advised to choose airport taxi or rental car to get Lake Baringo because buses are not much safer.

Shopping and Food at Lake Baringo:

Marigat is the main town near Lake Baringo, where visitors can find many shops with all daily usable items and food at restaurants in the town. For more options, visitors can head towards nearby city Eldoret, which has many large shopping centres and modern food corners.

Things to do in Lake Baringo:

Hiking
Boating
Day tours

What to see in Lake Baringo?

Tugen Hills:

The Tugen Hills is situated to the west of the Lake Baringo, featuring volcanic and metamorphic rocks that bring tourists, especially adventure sport lovers during dry months.

Ol Kokwe Island:

Ol Kokwe Island is the largest of among many small islands in Lake Baringo. This island is mainly noted for hot springs and fumaroles with medicinal properties.

The Kerio Valley National Reserve:

Located to the west of Lake Baringo, the Kerio Valley National Reserve is featured with many winsome points, including the Lake Kamnarok with abundant water plants. The reserve covers a total area of 66 square kilometers and as established in1983.

Mau Escarpment:

The Mau Escarpment or Mau Hills is situated around 3000 meters above sea level, in the vicinity of Lake Baringo. This nature point is ideal for those who have interest in hiking. It can be explored best through a guided tour.

Other tourist attractions near Lake Baringo are as follows:

Lake Kamnarok
Cherangani Hills
Rimoi Game Reserve
Baboons & Vervits
Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy
Selenkay Conservancy
Lake Oloidien
Lake Turkana
Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
Masai Mara National Reserve
Amboseli National Park
Crescent Island Game Park
Observation Hill
Shaba National Reserve
Ol Kinyei Conservancy

Best time to visit Lake Baringo:

To thoroughly have eye-catching scenery and to experience different water sports activities, visitors can choose the beginning months of the year to visit Lake Baringo in Kenya.

Accommodation options in Lake Baringo:

It is difficult to find hotels near Lake Baringo but one can find it in nearby Eldoret city, where plenty of upgraded accommodation centres, including hotels, BB and inns and lodges with a wide range of amenities. The prominent hotels in Eldoret (around 100 km from Lake Baringo) are as follows: