Lakes >>
Elmenteita
Lake
Elmenteita is a small (18 sq km) soda lake, located in the eastern
sweep of the Great Rift Valley. Since it lies on private grounds,
it is much less visited than Nakuru, though flamingo concentrations
are obviously also lower.The Lake is surrounded by spectacular country
that played an important role in the early colonial history of Kenya.
This was the estate and stronghold of Lord Delamere, the builder
of the Kenya colony.Today Elmenteita is a peaceful and low-key place,
lying in the shadow of an impressively peaked hill known locally
known as the 'Sleeping Maasai'.
Most of the safaris covering the trip from Naivasha to Nakuru only
stop at the viewpoint overlooking the lake on the A104 main road.
However, there is allowance for accessing the private reserve surrounding
the lake, named Soysambu and belonging to Delamere Estate. One precision:
as usual with many Kenyan toponims coming from a Swahili corruption
of terms from Maa or other languages, spelling varies depending
on the source. You may find this place spelled as Elmenteita, Elmentaita,
Elementaita or Elementeita
Flamingoes
usually visit this lake, though in much smaller flocks than in Nakuru.
Some fisher birds can also be found here, such as pelicans and heronsThe
lake shores are grazed by zebra, gazelle, eland and families of
warthog. The lake and its surrounding forests are perfect for long
walks and birding. In the old days there was also a hippo colony,
but it disappeared due to the droughts, that occasionally have completely
vaporized the lake.
The Lake and the nearby Soysambu area have large herds of Buffalo,
Waterbuck, Eland Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle and other plains game.
Both the lodge and camp organize game drives or guided walks among
the herds of game. The camp offers night game drives, with opportunities
to encounter nocturnal species including the rarely seen Aardvark.