Lake Elementaita, also spelled Lake Elmenteita, is a shallow soda lake located in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. It lies between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru, surrounded by gentle hills known locally as the “sleeping warriors.” The lake is about 120 kilometers northwest of Nairobi and is easily reached from the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
The name “Elementaita” comes from the Maasai word that means “place of dust.” The area around the lake becomes very dry and dusty, especially during the hot months from January to March.
Lake Elementaita is part of the Soysambu Conservancy. During Kenya’s colonial period, this land belonged to Lord Delamere, a British settler who lived in the area from 1879 to 1931. On the other side of the lake, Galbraith Laurie Egerton Cole stayed at Kekopei Farm from 1881 to 1929. Today, the conservancy covers about two-thirds of the lake’s shoreline and protects many animals and birds.
The conservancy is home to around 10,000 wild animals, including Rothschild’s giraffes, bush pigs, zebras, gazelles, jackals, leopards, bushbucks, and elands. The lake is also an important bird-watching spot and was named a RAMSAR site because of its value to birdlife and wetland conservation.
More than 400 bird species live around the lake. Common birds include flamingos, pelicans, geese, ducks, herons, cormorants, and kingfishers. Other special birds include the Maccoa duck, northern puffback, pallid harrier, red-capped lark, long-tailed widowbird, Rüppell’s vulture, shining sunbird, greenbul, and Schalow’s wheatear.
Lake Elementaita is also known for the Kikopey hot springs found nearby. These natural springs attract visitors who want to relax or explore the warm waters. The lake is surrounded by acacia trees, shrubs, and euphorbia plants, giving it a natural and peaceful feel.
Though less visited than Lake Nakuru or Lake Naivasha, Lake Elementaita offers many activities for tourists. These include bird watching, bush dining, balloon rides, nature walks, quad biking, camping, and game drives. It is a quiet place for those looking to enjoy nature and wildlife.
