Soi Safari Lodge, Samatian Resort, Ruko Conservancy, Kaptuya Conservancy, Korosi Shield Volcano, Kabarion Conservancy, Paka Volcano

Attractions in Baringo County

Soi Safari Lodge near Lake Baringo. Image Courtesy of Trip Advisor

13. Soi Safari Lodge

At the western shore of Lake Baringo the visitor passes through Kampi Samaki, a modest fishing settlement which has a variety of reasonable hotels and camps. Here, visitors to Lake Baringo may stay at one these establishments that stand on a headland overlooking the Lake Baringo. Of these, the most-liked is the 86-rooms Soi Safari Lodge, which is surrounded by a bushy Acacia woodland and shrubland. To its east is the Lake and the Laikipia Escarpment and, to the west, rises the dramatic Tugen Hills. At its back sits an Olympic-size swimming pool. From Soi Safari Lodge, some of the islands in Lake Baringo are easily-sighted, notably of the Devil’s Island, which, according to the native Njemps, is deserted because it is resided by ‘unfriendly devils’. Other well-known hotels at Kampi ya Samaki village include: Tumbili Cliff Lodge, Sandai Resort, and Robert’s Camp.

Spatial Location of Soi Safari Lodge at Lake Baringo

14. Samatian Island Resort

The small but exclusive Samatian Island Resort, set on the edge of the 30-acres Samatian Island in Lake Baringo, is comprised of 4 open-plan cottages and 2-family cabins, all with views to Lake Baringo. Equal parts rustic and romantic, this compact resort on a private island with unprecedented privacy conjures up dreams of a ways-out paradise. Its highlights include the panoramas of Laikipia Escarpment and quixotic sight of Njemp anglers on their traditional canoes. In a captivating twist, Samatian Resort looks out north, offering two disparate and enthralling experiences at sunrise and at sundown, especially from the dainty pool set right at tip of the island. Some of the activities here include: enjoying scenic boat-trips on the traditional canoes and walking safaris around Giraffe Island. Samatian Island is approached via Kipsang Jetty (at Kampi ya Samaki).

Samatian Island Resort. Image Courtesy of Female Adventurist

15. Ruko Conservancy

Hugging the eastern littoral of Lake Baringo, Ruko Conservancy, that was once teemed with vast wildlife, is slowly and steadily been rehabilitated to its former glory. This beautiful sanctuary now under the guidance of Northern Rangelands Trust is on the right course to become a top-rate touring site in Baringo County. Recently, several Rothschild’s giraffes were reintroduced to Ruko Conservancy. Given the success of these relocations’, it is hoped that motley species to include gazelles and zebras from multiple conservancies will be trans-located here, as a way of replenishing its wildlife. Travellers to Ruko Conservancy may also visit the nearby Ol kokwe, Lokoros and Samatian Islands found within Lake Baringo.

16. Kaptuya Conservancy

Located about 10 kms east of Ruko, along the boundary with Laikipia, in Churo Ward of Tiaty, Kaptuya Conservancy is, despite the scorching sun, a picturesque and colourful boondocks. On the Laikipia side it is contiguous with the wildlife rich plains between Ol Donyo Ari Nyiro and Mugie Wildlife Conservancies. The 80 km2 Kaptuya Conservancy, on the upper slopes of the Laikipia Escarpment or the eastern edge of the Rift Valley, is home to a plethora of wonderful vistas epitomized by the spectacular Mukutan Gorge. Similar to Ruko, Kaptuya is not well developed and both lack easy access routes and accommodation. Both have abundant game but because of scanty parkways it is a spine-rattling excursion. Nevertheless, they offer adventures into very unusual flora. It is necessary to be self-sufficient specially at Kaptuya and is also prudent to liaise with the warden.

17. Korosi Volcano

The Korosi shield volcano, at the northern area of Lake Baringo, is noteworthy because it does not contain a summit caldera. The latter-day eruption at Korosi – which consists of fissure lava veins – is surmised to be the same eruption that formed Ol Kokwe Island, to its south. Both these formations are thought to be only a few hundreds to a few thousands years old. The area around Korosi still has active fumaroles and hot steaming ponds, which occur around the summit cones and flanks, thought to covers a location of approximately 30 km2. “The Korosi-Silali Geothermal Project, under the aegis of Geothermal Development Company (GDC), covers three geothermal prospects (Silali, Paka and Korosi) from which the company is looking to produce a total of 3000 MW by 2030″ – Capital Business. The Korosi Station is almost complete. So far, the GDC has completed the 70 kms access road to open up the Korosi-Silali area for drilling.

Map of the Kenya rift showing the volcanic complexes

18. Kabarion Conservancy

Established in 2011, the 800 km2 Kabarion Conservancy, 50 kms northeast of Lake Baringo, is part of thirteen wildlife sanctuaries and nature conservancies which Baringo County has taken huge steps-forward to rehabilitate and restore. Baringo County developed a community conservation bill, thereafter passed in 2015, directed to provide financial support to the conservancies. To date, it has spent close to Shs. 20 million in the development of the conservancies, with an aim of broadening its touring products and boosting its competitive-edge. Other conservancies in this renewed effort include Ruko, Kaptuiya, Morop, Nge, Irong and Kimngochoch. It was intended that Kabarion would be functional by 2018.

19. Paka Volcano

One of the more impressive formations in Baringo’s backwoods between Lake Baringo and Nakengere Falls (close to the northern boundary with Turkana) is Paka Volcano. This cone-like volcanic complex is interspersed by a number of smaller satellite volcanic conoids and dominated by a young central caldera at the summit, which is 1.5 km in diameter. Paka, which means ochre in the local Pokot, betokens the fine volcanic dust that typifies the locale. Paka Volcano, or Paka Mountain, is part of the nine axial volcanoes located within the northern sector of the Kenyan Rift along with Lake Turkana Islands, Andrew’s Cone and Barrier, Namarunu, Emuruangogolak, Silali, Chepchuk and Korosi. Mount Paka is located 25 kms north of Lake Baringo, and 15.5 kms east of Nginyang’ Village.

Abiri