Amazing Africa Tours and Travels
Amazing Africa Tours and Travels
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  2. Nature Reserves, Lakes & Scenic Escapes
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Baringo
Lake Bogoria
Lake Naivasha
Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
Elsa mere Conservation Centre
Olkaria Geothermal Hot Spa
Crescent Island
Nature Reserves, Lakes & Scenic Escapes

Discover a refreshing breath of wilderness among pristine lakes and lush nature reserves.

Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park
A flamingo-filled lake and rhino sanctuary near Nakuru Town.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park was created in 1961 with a size of 188 km2 and is located near NakuruTown. It is best known for its thousands, sometimes millions of flamingos nesting along the shores. The surface of the shallow lake is often hardly recognizable due to the continually shifting mass of pink. The number of flamingos on the lake varies with water and food conditions and the best vantage point is from Baboon cliff.


The park was enlarged partly to provide a sanctuary for black rhinos. This endeavor necessitated a fence – to keep out poachers rather than to restrict the movement of wildlife. The park stretches for 12.1 km (7.5 mi) on the south eastern boundary with the Soysambu Conservancy which represents a possible future expansion of habitat for the rhinos and the only remaining wildlife corridor to Lake Naivasha.

A freshwater Rift Valley haven for diverse wildlife and local fishing.

Lake Baringo

Lake Baringo is the second northern lake after Lake Turkana of the northern Rift Valley lakes with a surface area of 130 square kilometres (50 sq. mi) and an elevation of 970 metres (3,180 ft.). The lake is fed by Molo, Perkerra and Ol Arabel Rivers. Water flows into the lake from the Mau hills and Tugen hills. It has no obvious outlet, the waters are assumed to seep through lake sediments into the faulted volcanic bedrock. It is one of the two freshwater lakes in the Rift Valley in Kenya, the other being Lake Naivasha. The lake is in a remote hot and dusty area with over 470 species of birds, occasionally including migrating flamingos.


It is a critical habitat and refuge for more than 500 species of birds and fauna, some of the migratory water bird species being significant regionally and globally. The lake also provides a habitat for seven fresh water fish species. Locals undertake fishing as a social economic activity. Lake fishing is important to the local people’s social and economic development. Additionally, the area is a habitat for many species of animals including the hippos, Nile crocodile and a host other mammals, amphibians, reptiles and the invertebrate.

Lake Baringo
Lake Baringo
Lake Bogoria
Lake Bogoria
A flamingo-filled volcanic reserve with Africa’s densest geysers.

Lake Bogoria

The lake formerly known as Lake Hannington is a saline, alkaline lake that lies in a volcanic region. The lake has been a protected National Reserve since November 29, 1973. Over 2 million flamingos are known to occupy Lake Bogoria at any one time. They can be found here at any time of year, making the lake one of the best spots to see flamingos. The flamingos are the main attraction of Lake Bogoria - and while other animals do live here, you won't see many of them.


Lake Bogoria has over 200 hot springs and 17 geysers, some of which are still active. The lake has the highest number of geysers anywhere in Africa. The geysers have a finite life span as the geothermal pressure below fades over time. Of the three currently active geysers, the Loburu geyser in the southern half of the lake is the largest and most active followed closely by Chermurkeu geyser. Further north lies Losaramat, the least active of the lot, shimmering silently with the occasional eruption.


Due to rising water levels, the geysers are becoming submerged underwater, and are no longer as visible as they once were. While the reserve doesn’t abound with the largest African game, a trip here will still bring opportunities to spot impala, zebra, gazelle, warthog, buffalo, klipspringer, monkey, baboon… and occasionally leopard and cheetah. Near the lake itself, you may find numbers of greater kudu, an antelope, grazing not far from their flamingo neighbors.

A high-altitude lake famous for its wildlife and flower farms.

Lake Naivasha

It is a fresh water Lake outside the town of Naivasha town. It is situated in the Great Rift Valley. Lake Naivasha is at the highest elevation of the Kenyan Rift valley at 1,884 meters (6,181 ft.) in a complex geological combination of volcanic rocks and sedimentary deposits. Apart from transient streams, the lake is fed by the perennial Malewa and Gilgil Rivers. There is no visible outlet, but since the lake water is relatively fresh it is assumed to have an underground outflow. The lake is home to huge numbers of hippos, and many wildlife and bird species like African Fish Eagles.


Beyond its biological diversity, Lake Naivasha serves as a vital economic hub, supporting a massive floriculture industry that exports roses and lilies across the globe. The lake's fringes are characterized by dense papyrus swamps and yellow-barked acacia forests, which provide a lush backdrop for the nearby Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. This unique terrain allows visitors to walk among giraffes and zebras on foot, offering a rare, intimate perspective of the Rift Valley’s wild beauty just a short distance from the bustling town center.

Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha
Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
A private park featuring a volcanic lake, wildlife, and walking tours.

Crater Lake Game Sanctuary

This is a green soda lake at the bottom of an extinct volcano on the western side of Lake Naivasha and north of the village of Kongoni, in Naivasha. Crater Lake Game Sanctuary is located 10 kilometers from Naivasha town and about 90 km from Nairobi. This is a small private sanctuary is centered on a volcanic crater lake with spectacular green water. The tiny jade-green Crater Lake is held in high regard by the local Maasai, who even believe its water helps soothe ailing cattle. The lake attracts many flamingos, and the surrounding forests and plains have plenty of game. Like Hell’s Gate National Park, it is allowed to explore this Park on foot independently or with a local guide. The sanctuary is home to hundreds of species of birds and many mammals, large and small. While walking through the conservancy you can spot giraffes, impala, Thompson’s gazelle, giraffe, zebra, eland, baboon, and black and white colobus monkeys – just to name a few.


While walking, remember that buffaloes lurk in the woods. You can also take a short walk to the edge of the beautiful volcanic crater with views down to the emerald-green lake in the crater. Depending on the water levels of other Rift Valley lakes, there are sometimes large populations of flamingoes on the lake. Crater Lake Game Sanctuary is a haven for birds with over 170 bird species recorded here. These include greater and lesser Flamingos, little Grebes, Cape Teal and Ruffs, great white Pelican, whiskered Tern, Marabou stork, grey and black-headed Heron, African Fish Eagle, Yellow-billed Storks, Pied Avocets, Egyptian Geese, etc. Crater Lake camp offers safe & secure parking, conference facilities, laundry, game drives, guided Walks, hiking trails, and a campsite. Crater Lake Game Sanctuary is 10,000 acres and houses the famous hilltop grave where Happy Valley’s tragic heroine, Lady Diana Delamere, is buried with her last two husbands, Gilbert Colvile and Thomas Delamere.

A lakeside conservation retreat

Elsa mere Conservation Centre

Elsamere Conservation Centre is a serene retreat located on the shores of Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Once the home of renowned conservationists Joy and George Adamson, Elsamere now serves as a hub for environmental education and wildlife conservation. Guests can explore the museum showcasing the Adamson’s’ legacy, enjoy breathtaking views of the lake, and experience close encounters with wildlife such as giraffes, hippos, and zebras. The center also offers comfortable accommodations, delicious homemade meals, and tranquil gardens perfect for relaxation. Proceeds support conservation efforts.


Beyond its historical charm, Elsamere provides a unique vantage point for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, as the canopy of ancient yellow-fever trees is a preferred playground for the rare black-and-white colobus monkeys. Visitors can partake in the center's famous traditional afternoon tea on the lush lawns, watching hippos wallow near the shore as the sun sets over the Rift Valley. This immersive experience is complemented by the center's commitment to the local ecosystem, where the onsite Education Centre hosts programs that empower the next generation of conservationists to protect Kenya’s delicate biodiversity.

Elsa Mere Conservation Centre
Elsa mere Conservation Centre
Olkaria Geothermal Hot Spa
Olkaria Geothermal Hot Spa
Africa's largest all-natural geothermal spa

Olkaria Geothermal Hot Spa

Olkaria geothermal hot spa is a very unique spa located at the center of Hell’s Gate National Park. This spa is a hub of natural hot water that collects in a pool; the hot water is from different wells and is in the form of a hot steam that cools through collecting pipes and into a main pool that has temperatures between 30 to 40 degrees centigrade; and it’s for this reason that the spa is termed geothermal. The OlKaria geothermal Spa is the largest of its kind on the African continent.


The water that flows into the geothermal spa is all natural with no treatments or additives, its rich with several natural minerals that include silica and sulphur. To keep the temperatures of the swimming Lagoon user friendly; there are geothermal technicians who are constantly monitoring the lagoon temperatures.

A scenic lakeside sanctuary

Crescent Island

Crescent Island is a private wildlife sanctuary and is at the edge of an ancient volcano on Lake Naivasha, known for its walking safaris where visitors can safely encounter animals like giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests. The sanctuary is accessible by boat and offers stunning views and a high density of wildlife, though it is technically a peninsula that can become an island depending on the lake's water level.


The sanctuary's unique geography serves as a vital breeding ground for various species, earning it a reputation as one of the most concentrated wildlife sites in the Great Rift Valley. Because there are no large predators, visitors have the rare opportunity to walk freely among herds of waterbuck and eland, or photograph prolific birdlife like the African fish eagle and giant kingfisher.

Crescent Island
Crescent Island
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