Visit Lake Bogoria for Flamingos and Hot Springs

Lake Bogoria

Located along Nakuru-Marigat road, sits a precious resource that is often painted pink by the huge flamingo population-Lake Bogoria- A lake that is more of an educational tool than a tourist resource.

Lake Bogoria, formerly known as Lake Hannington, positions itself as a unique marine ecology with an unusual array of microbes, hot springs and hosts millions of flamingos every year. Lake Bogoria is an alkaline lake considered to be twice as salty as seawater. That means fish cannot survive in it.

The primary attractions that mind boggles tourists in this lake are the geysers. Your journey will be incomplete if you don’t boil an egg.

Flamingos at Lake Bogoria/Envirowild

The Environmental good

I find Lake Bogoria a gem, an environmental good that has not been exploited to the fullest. It is a resource that has the potential of creating a lot of jobs both directly and indirectly as well as generating revenue to the local community, county, and national governments.

With full exploitation comes the aspect of conserving and preserving the lake and the nearby environs to enhance sustainability.

Little has been done to expose the lake beyond word of mouth and individual recommendations. Despite the significance of the lake, there is not enough information to motivate both local and internal tourists to visit.

Flamingos in Lake Bogoria- Beautiful scenery- Enviro Wild

I must register my disappointment in the nature in which this critical resource is regarded. I expected to see the County Government of Baringo priding itself in the lake by marketing it far and wide.

I would have expected to see several people, locals, and foreigners visiting at this time when the flamingos are in plenty. It appears the majority of those visiting at the moment are educational institutions.

The sorry state of the road is the key disadvantage to many, particularly those using small vehicles-saloon cars, tuk-tuks, and motorbikes. The road is a dancing field composed of several potholes.

My plea goes to the county ministry of environment and natural resources, invest resources for marketing, improving the road networks, and facilitating the locals to showcase their cultural ornaments.

Within Lake Bogoria are the IlChamus (Njemps), Endorois, and Tugen communities whose identities are unique. Closeby are the Pokot and Turkana communities.

Create a mini-museum with a representation of each community defining Baringo County.

I am afraid Lake Bogoria might be the next victim to lose value if nothing is done to amplify its existence.  Lake Baringo that hosts within it several islands but has gone off the radar.