Kenya’s Lakes: Nature’s Water Wonders

Lakes in Kenya: A Complete Guide

Kenya is home to a dazzle of beautiful lakes, the most famous of these lying along Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. Of these, Bogoria, Nakuru, and Elementaita, covering a total area of 32,034 ha, were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 as Kenya Lake System in the Rift Valley. Collectively, they are a natural property of outstanding beauty. The property, of three inter-linked shallow lakes, is home to thirteen globally threatened bird species and some of the highest bird diversities in the world. It is the single most important foraging locale for the lesser flamingo

Lakes in Kenya range from freshwater to saline and are known for their unique ecosystems, stunning landscapes, and rich wildlife. As far as unique ecosystems go, Lake Turkana earns a place at the top of Kenya’s lakes on account of its oddity and unprecedented beauty. Renowned for its gigantic Nile Perch and sometimes dubbed the tempestuous “Jade Sea” due to its greenish color, Lake Turkana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, lies in the extreme and untravelled northern Kenya famous for its rugged beauty. With its northern end crossing into Ethiopia, and covering a whacking great 6,405 km2, it is world’s largest desert and alkaline lake.

If you’re out looking for flamingo in the southern half of Kenya, Lake Magadi, often compared to Lake Natron, is a great launch. Reachable without too much difficulty from Nairobi, Lake Magadi, a soda lake with an extraordinary landscape of pink-hued waters, salt flats, and hot springs lies in the remote, arid region romanticized in travel books as Maasailand. From here, on a long and hard afternoon drive you can reach Lake Natron, along the border with Tanzania, famous as Africa’s largest breeding site for lesser flamingos where they thrive in the hundreds of thousands.

Still and all, excepting Kenya’s tremendous section of Lake Victoria in the west, there are a great many small, lesser-known lakes in Kenya that are important for fishing, irrigation and water supply. Most, if not all, also scenic landscapes and tranquility away from the more popular tourist spots. Lakes in Kenya not only offer breathtaking landscapes but are also vital ecosystems supporting a wide range of wildlife, including birds, hippos, crocodiles, and fish species. They are popular for various activities such as birdwatching, boating, fishing, and nature photography.

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Kenya is blessed with several lakes, each offering unique attractions, ecosystems, and opportunities for exploration. Shared with Uganda and Tanzania, Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake in the world by surface area. Known for its geysers and hot springs, Lake Bogoria is among the unique lakes along Kenya’s Rift Valley. All these lakes not only provide scenic beauty but also support diverse ecosystems.

Index of Lakes Around Kenya



Baringo County - Lake Bogoria, Lake Baringo, Lake Kamnarok, Garissa County - Lake Ishaqbini, Homa Bay County - Lake Simbi Nyaima, Kajiado County - Lake Magadi, Lake Amboseli, Lake Natron, Kisii County - Lake Okari, Lamu County - Lake Kenyatta, Lake Moa, Kisumu County - Lake Victoria, Meru County - Lake Thai, Lake Nkunga, Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson, Lake Rutundu, Lake Alice, Magado Lake, Nakuru County - Lake Solai, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Lake Oloiden, Crater Lake, Lake Elementaita, Nyandarua County - Lake Olbolosat, Siaya County - Lake Sare, Lake Namboyo, Lake Bob, Lake Kanyaboli, Taita Taveta - Lake Jipe, Lake Chala, Tana River County - Lake Shakababo, Turkana County - Lake Logipi, Lake Turkana, Lake Alablab, Wajir County - Lake Yahud

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