My RiftValley Adventure Part 2:Lake Baringo😘

I think it is fair to say that we all logically know that life can end at any time, right?  Why is it that so many people allow themselves to continually be unhappy then?  You would think that with your life on this earth being uncertain of the longevity and the fact that nobody is guaranteed tomorrow, you would make sure that you are doing what makes you happy…but that is not the case with most people.  People choose to remain unhappy, it isn’t bad luck or anybody else creating it…it is your choice!  I am well aware of how harsh that sounds, however, it is great news in reality.  Happiness does not come in a store, you can’t find it anywhere (except within yourself), and nobody but you can give or take it from you! Ignite your heart’s passion😍😍.

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One of the two freshwater lakes in the Rift Valley in Kenya, the other being Lake Naivasha. Lake Baringo is not a game drive destination, but rather a restful place to rejuvenate during your Kenya adventure safari. Although avian species are the main attraction, the lake is home to mammals. It contain a surface area of about 130 square kilometers  and an elevation of about 970 meters . The lake is fed by several rivers,molo,perkerra and ol arabel  and has no obvious outlet; the waters are assumed to seep through lake sediments into the faulted volcanic bedrock.  It lies off the beaten track in a hot and dusty setting and over 470 species of bird.  Lake Baringo in equatorial Kenya experiences two dry and two rainy seasons. The long dry season befalls from July to October, although some years also see rains during the months of July and August.It is one of a number of lakes that form part of the East African Rift system

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The real joy of Baringo is how little of the tourist traffic from Naivasha and Nakuru makes it up this far. keeping the experience peaceful .There are several islands on the lake, namely Lokoros, Rongena, Lengai, Samatian, Olkokwa, Parmolos and the Devil’s Island{the famous one}. It’s the myth of this deserted island that most find interesting, as communities in the area have given it a wide berth. According to the Njemps, no one lives on the island following beliefs that it is the home of devils. The locals claim a bluish fire burns in the area at night and the devils call out names of people who dare row around the island after sunset 😠😠 .  The largest of them is called Ol kokwa{meaning a meeting place} in the Ilchamus language{language used in that area}. It offers panoramic lake views. It features an outdoor swimming pool, game cruises and a variety of water sports facilities. Samatian island is the  smallest but with breathtaking views. With its breath-taking views across the waters of the lake to the imposing backdrop of the Laikipia Escarpment, the island offers the perfect getaway.It offers guests the ultimate in relaxation in magical surroundings.

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The area is also a habitat for many species of animals including the hippopotamus, Nile crocodile{ considered a harmless creature}and many other mammals, amphibians, reptiles and the invertebrate communities.Not forgetting the Six fish species.There are also fishermen drawn from four communities {so friendly }— Njemps, Turkana, Pokot and Tugen.

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The fishing vessels are made from hollow indigenous trees, which enable them float despite looking so unstable.

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Since its among the the major tourist destination in Baringo county,there are several luxury and budget hotels. Soi Safari Lodge being one of them.{So cute}.It is located on the Western shores of  the lake at Kampi Samaki, where it commands spectacular views of Lake Baringo, nestling in a bushy acacia with the compound partially patched with rocks to portray the lodge.The compound is spacious with trees lining up the front of the lodge.At the back is an Olympic size swimming pool, surrounded bushy acacia and at the lake shore a rocky, dry and sparsely populated, The rooms are spacious and air-conditioned. The Lodge has 74 standard rooms, 4 accessible rooms (for disabled persons), 2 interconnecting rooms and 6 deluxe en-suites. All have hot showers and balconies with spectacular views. The four course gourmet meals are blended with African cuisine for that rare, delicious taste. The lodge has very beautiful murals on the walls with an authentic African look.It also  has a great view of Laikipia Escarpment. The lodge can also be accessed by air, either via an airstrip that is within two kilometers of the lodge or a helipad at the lodge.So never worry about accommodation.Its just a matter of planning yourself😄😄.

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Time spent boating and walking around the lake was heavenly, whilst the hot springs and flamingos of Lake Bogoria are only a short drive away. Boat trips are offered around the lake, by the hour or for longer periods.A range of accommodation is available in the area and boat hire is easy.The best way to explore the lake and its islands is by motor boat. Interesting part is that:your guide will know exactly where to find specific birds and wildlife when you’re in for the sensational tour.

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Fully embrace the now, no matter what the situation”.

Faith K.

My Rift-Valley Adventure:Lake Bogoria

As i always say,do what makes you happy,surround yourself with those who make you smile,laugh as much you can breathe.Life is too short to be unhappy and happiness is all about choice.We got the right to choose whether to be happy or not.If you not happy you are alert.Alert?yes due to stress and thus generates hormones that makes you not to be relaxed/comfortable.Doing what you love reduces stress:You may feel that you’re too busy to do these things but in real sense it help you relax.Travelling is the kind of activity, which almost all of us love. Yes its a hobby one can use as his/her tool of reducing stress. {I personally}Since it is an opportunity to relax and abstract from everyday busy life.For others it is interesting to observe the way people of other cultures and mentality live. Some people consider it to be the best way to have fun and always try to visit as many clubs, pubs, restaurants and cafes as possible for their wallets and time limits.Of course, there are people who are always unhappy with the way life is, and they will say that travelling is far from pleasant and involves a lot of stress due to the necessity to pack their things, use public transport{lame excuses} and so on 😜😜lol. But fortunately, those people are rather few and the majority understands how travelling is exciting and interesting.Many people ponder what they should do for a vacation and I realized a lot of people don’t seem to share their views about traveling. Its very important to see the world and different cultures. It let us open our minds to new things and we get to experience life in exiting different ways.Wait,did you know traveling also gives us the opportunity to disconnect from our regular life. You get to forget your problems/issues for a few weeks, it can also help you figure things out that you would not have understood without the distance traveling can give you. Its nice to live life to its fullest and enjoy a stress free time with yourself. Going on vacation lets us recharge our “batteries” 😃by disconnecting us from our regular life.p1

As always no one ever gets bored having fun, more so with the people sharing same interests.We had  a chance to visit the prettiest lake in Rift-valley..LAKE BOGORIA!!One of the best tourist attraction in Baringo County.The best place to see geysers in Africa.lf

lake-bogoriabpAbout The Lake?

It is located about three hours north of Nakuru in Bogoria National Reserve.It is a saline alkaline lake  that lies in a volcanic  region in a half graben basin south of lake Baringo,Kenya, a little north of the equator.It is one of the three famous rift valley lakes in Kenya; the other two being Lake Baringo and Lake Nakuru.  The soda lake is about 30 sq km in size and is quite shallow.  It  have outlets that allow foe evaporation.In several locations around this lake there seen more than 10 geysers, but the best known here are Loburu Geysers.Lake gets water only from the hot springs and some perennial rivers and it has no outlet.The hot springs and geysers are located on the western shore and are over a sizable area erupting at intervals of 3 minutes and go as high as five feet high.The minerals from the water have ashy color that makes the ground around whitish-gray.The lake is remarkable in many ways; it is a long and narrow soda lake dominated by the sheer face of the Siracho escarpment and the notheastern parts of the Aberdares on the eastern shore.There are two entrance gates to Lake Bogoria – Emsos in the South and Loboi in the northern part of the National Reserve. There are three places to stay at Bogoria; Fig Tree Camp, Payrus Inn and Lake Bogoria spa resort.The lake is mainly surrounded by thorny bushland and thicket merging into wooded grasslands. Dense riverine forests of doum and raffia palm occur along watercourses, with various sedges in riverine swamps. It has significant ornithological interest with 135 species of birds recorded…a site to behold for both local and international clients.The lake consists of beautiful flamingos.Endlessly covered by the beautiful flamingos, its a great place for the sceneries lovers.Beautiful hills overlooking the lake and the hot springs make it a worthy visit. Dont expect to take a boat ride there..or see much of any wildlife😜😜😜😜.

What people believe about lake Bogoria?

The local people believe that the water has healing powers and that inhaling the vapors cleanses the internal organs and leaves the outer skin smoother/healthier.I personally believe  it is the properties of the minerals produced by the hot waters coming from deep within the earth’s crust.

Flamingos?

Possibly the pinkest place on the planet! lol. By now, The major drawcard of Lake Bogoria are its flamingos. However, whatever you are expecting, I doubt whether you will be prepared for the carpet of pinkness that confronts you as you first catch sight of the lake. I have never seen so many animals in one place at one time, and the fact that their color is such a stark contrast to their surroundings adds extra drama to an already overwhelming spectacle.Estimates of the number of flamingos on the lake vary, but range up to 4 million. That’s simply too large a number to comprehend, and whatever proportion of that number we saw in our all to brief visit, it was awe inspiring. The conditions in the lake are ideal for the tiny shrimp on which the flamingos feed, and if the old adage of there being ‘safety in numbers’ is true, then these birds are very secure. The alkaline, warm lake water is excellent media for microorganisms. These organisms serve as a food for lesser flamingo and some other birds.  The high levels of evaporation have left behind high minerals and salts. Because of these very high mineral levels, the lake can not contain any fish and is not healthy for swimming. However the lake attracts large numbers of flamingos because of the rich blue-green algae that flamingos like.

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I must say that it is not that easy to scare a flamingo. If you don’t make sudden movements or run, and quietly take pictures from the roof of your car, chances are that a flock of pink birds will soon surround you, and you will have an opportunity to take very interesting pictures. Birds don’t come too close and keep their distance, but the distance is very small. They are calm as long as you don’t make sudden movements and watch them from one spot. Flocks of flamingos are constantly moving in the lakefront, going in and out of the water.

Geysers:

As said before,its the best place to see geysers and hot springs .Yes it is.The Rift Valley is a vulcanologist’s paradise when you throw in the added attractions of geysers, hot springs and boiling mud pools, we could be excused for wondering whether we’ve died and gone to heaven!!It is said the lake has   approximately 200 hot springs; with a temperature between 39 and 98.5°C bordering the lake.The hot springs have a high rate of carbon dioxide All these geysers are located very low at the lake level or below. When the level of the lake changes, some geysers are flooded and stop their activity, some others come into explosion. The hot springs offered us a long awaited opportunity to boil an egg in the hot springs.

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The Spa Resort?

Lake Bogoria Spa Resort.Known as the healing place because of the therapeutic values associated with the spa and the hot spring geysers.The only spa resort in Kenya with a naturally heated Spa pool. 95 kilometer from the equator crossing and 20 kilometers from Marigat.1.Kudu Restaurant and Choma Ranch!It offers a lean menu with emphasis on international Cuisine, African foods and a variety of other food items of exceptional quality.Its a specialty Restaurant specializing on the famous mouthwatering Bogoria Mbuzi (Choma), charcoal grilled to your tantalizing taste and our in house specialty soup “Hango Busta” (Mwarubaine). The restaurant features a well furnished kitchen, a bar, and a restaurant, gazebos, a garden refreshed and the famous Spa, known for its therapeutic healing properties.The Choma Ranch is five minutes driveaway from the Lake Bogoria National Game Reserve popularly known for hot springs geysers and also plays host to a variety of animals.swimminspa

jvfEntrance fee

Its important you be aware of the conservation fee before visiting the place:conservation-fee.

PROS AND CONS:

Pros:Gorgeous, rugged landscape  – and the quest for the greater kudu seems like excuse enough to justify a return visit!
Cons:A bit off the beaten track, especially if you don’t have your own transport

“Work hard,have fun,enjoy life and make history.”

Faith K.

My Adventure:Nairobi Safari Walk in Kenya.

What an amazing weekend it was!The forth day of the last month of the year..Hanging out with people you got same interest is the best feeling.Immensely amazing!!Went to Nairobi safari walk located at the Kenya Wildlife Services Headquarters on langata road}. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) conserves and manages Kenya’s wildlife for the Kenyan people and the world.It is an education guided tour that offers eye opener to Kenya wildlife parks and reserve.

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The weather was just right/cool.But best of all was the amazing company i had.As always said:People are always good company when they are doing what they really enjoy.Yes.It was mad fun like never before.Big up to Victoria{our photographer},Brian,Beatrice and not forgetting Geoffrey{the organizer}.indexindex-2index-3

The environment is damn clean.With its raised wooden boardwalk that allows for uninterrupted views of the animals /we can observe them dscf87393from close range the wonderful variety of wildlife in each Eco-system. The raised wood walkways also provide souring views out over the shimmering stretches of Savannah in the Nairobi National Park with observation points down onto waterhole’s and the wildlife that frequent them.index-5It contains three major ecosystems{Wetlands,Savannah and forestry},Wildlife:Lion,hippo,rhino,zebra,cheetah,monkey,Variety of reptiles,insects and birds,children museum. It is also home to some 150 species of local trees.All are indicated on a clear map that you can use for direction purposes.

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What really captured my eyes:OSTRICH!Couldn’t help myself to continue learning more about it:Was astonished with  how it survive and its life in general..Did you know ostrich is the worlds flightless largest bird in the world???Now you know.They roam African savanna and desert lands and get most of their water from the plants they eat.They can sprint up to 43miles that’s is seventy kilometers an hour and run over distance at thirty one miles that’s fifty kilometers an hour.They may use their wings as :rudders to help them change direction while running.Their legs can be formidable weapons.Ostrich kicks can kill a human{so be careful heheh}. Their’ wings reach a span of about 2 meters and are used in mating displays, to shade chicks, to cover the naked skin of the upper legs and flanks to conserve heat.They have three stomachs this means they can eat three times more than a human and of course they have to survive out in the wild. Heheheh How humans envy ostriches in this regard.. cause we got a single stomach and take the single stomach for granted and load it with any eatable product we find.Their stomach can digest anything.it swallows, large stones to aid its gizzards.Unlike all other living birds, the ostrich secretes urine separately from feces.They got unity and care for each other.During winters, they stay pairs and during breeding or rainy season, they form a herd of almost fifty birds with a leading female ostrich: hen. They then travel to other areas.Unlike humans heheh. Their large eyes benefits them in time of hunting and they can sense their predator from extreme distance.However they grow old their eyes will always be strong,not like we human beings our vision deteriorates as we grow old.Their eyes are bigger than its brain.Food:Their eggs are sweet.it takes two hours to boil unlike the chicken egg that takes 4-5 minutes..They usually weigh from 63 to 145 kilograms (139–320 lb), or as much as two adult humans.Now you are aware about the ostrich.ostrich-eggs

At least you got a hint where to visit and learn more one of these fine days.

Faith K.