Lake Elementaita

LAKE ELEMENTAITA

Lake Elementaita; Elementaita is a word derived from the Masaai word muteita, meaning “dusty place”, a reference to the dryness and dustiness of the area, especially between January and March.

Lake Elementaita another of Kenya’s alkaline Lakes lies between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru.  Set within the eastern portion of the Rift Valley, the lake was produced approximately 12 million years ago, and today much of the lake is part of the private Soysambu Conservancy. The area is much less visited than other natural attractions in Kenya, so you enjoy a sense of privacy and solitude in a wondrous volcanic landscape.

Much of your activity-enriched trip to Kenya’s Lake Elementaita takes place within the 48,000-acre conservancy that serves as a sanctuary for nationally threatened colobus monkeys, endangered Rothschild giraffes, elusive predators, plains game, avifauna and many other species. The varied terrain offers volcanic hills, acacia woodlands, grassy plains, and stands of Warburgia fever trees and Euphorbia candelabra. As you travel across the diverse landscape during your Realm Africa safaris activities, you may come upon craters, lava flows, plugs and other remnants of the region’s rich volcanic history, as well as odd geometric patterns created by the process of erosion in the highly porous soil.

Towards the southern end of Lake Elementaita are the Kekopey hot springs, a location that is thought to be an ancient passage site involved in the old-time ivory and slave trades. As part of the UNESCO Kenya Lake System World Heritage Site, Lake Elementaita is globally-recognized as a natural treasure to be preserved, protected and appreciated.

Although the lake region has fewer mammalian species than other areas in East Africa, more than 15,000 animals roam the conservancy property. You may see Rothschild giraffes amongst the acacia trees removing tender leaves from branches while adeptly avoiding the treacherous thorns. Many species of plains game are commonly sighted, and you may have a fortuitous experience of sighting steinboks, duikers, bush pigs, bushbucks and also other elusive fauna. Lake Elementaita is also home to the tufted-eared caracal, golden and striped jackals, and other smaller predators. Like other alkaline lakes, the ecology of Elementaita is greatly influenced by rain and water levels. Specific conditions must be maintained, or the levels of algae, fish, and invertebrates decline. When the abundance of these food sources declines, birds and other species prefer other Kenyan soda lakes where food is easier to locate. As a result, the number of flamingos and pelicans fluctuates. Even in less-than-optimum conditions, though, the lake is a paradise for bird lovers, offering more than 450 species, including migratory birds from Europe and other locations. This means that Realm Africa Safaris visitors have the chance to see endangered and threatened feathered creatures, as well as some of Kenya’s most intriguing and beautiful avian life.

Because most of the Elementaita lake is part of the Soysambu Conservancy on private lands, you have a range of tour activities for your holiday in Kenya, such as day and night game drives, walking safaris, birding excursions, hiking, visits to geological sites and much more.