Lake Baringo

Lake Baringo and associated islands

Lake Baringo Ramsar and Important Bird Area is the second largest fresh water lake in the Great Rift Valley approximately 231 km2.The lake has seven volcanic islands of varying sizes located in the central part of the lake including Ol Kokwe, Ruko (Loncharo), Parmalok, Samatian, Lokoros and Lesukut. Other attractions include bubbling hot springs and fumaroles, some of which have precipitated sulphur deposits at Ol Kokwe. The source of Lake Baringo water is rainfall, ground water and five rivers (Molo, Mukutan, Perkerra, Endau and Ol arabel). Three are inhabited by the Ilchamus community.

With more than 470 bird species, Lake Baringo is birdwatchers' paradise. It has gone into Guinness World Book of Records for the greatest number of bird species spotted (342) in a 24 hour in 1986. The lake has the largest Goliath heron heronry – the only heronry in East Africa. Other species of attraction include the Baringo Giraffee (Rothschild Giraffe) on Ruko Island Community Conservancy and the Nile crocodile and Hippopotamus. An apparently range-restricted snake, Coluber keniensis. Baringo County is named after Lake Baringo. The lake supports an important fishing industry and is a major tourist destination. Activities in the lake include a popular traditional Kaldich (one-man boat) competitions. A selection of local handicrafts made by the Ilchamus Community are on display on the Ol Kokwe island shore market. Other associated attractions: Snake Park, Ngeyin Conservancy and the Proposed Kapsoi Cliffs Bird Sanctuary