Great Rift Valley Lakes

Beautiful lakes filled with grunting hippos, cool crocodiles and the air pink with flamingoes...

Scroll for more

Overview

The Great Rift Valley is a huge geological fault-line through Africa. It bisects Kenya from the remote turquoise Lake Turkana in the north to the south. Here you find some of Kenya’s most beautiful lakes and Great Rift valley lodges, all surrounded by lush cattle and game estates.

Plus the Great Rift Valley and soda lakes makes for an ideal curtain raiser to a Kenya safari. As it’s only a two hour drive or short flight from Nairobi. And there are direct flights on from Naivasha to the Masai Mara.

Soda Lakes of Kenya

One of the highlights of the Great Rift Valley region is the picturesque  ‘flamingo lake’ of Lake Nakuru. Famous for its colourful flamingos and abundant rhino. The soda lakes of Bogoria, Navaisha and Nakuru all attract swathes of flamingos, pelicans and other birds. Nearby the freshwater lakes of Naivasha and Baringo offer good boating and fishing.

Kenya Great Rift Valley - soda lakes

Cattle & game estates in the Great Rift Valley

The highlands surrounding the soda lakes offer lush pastures. These were first roamed by Masai herdsmen. And then settled by successive generations of pioneer adventurers.  Now some of their homesteads have become great rift valley lodges. We recommend Loldia House, a restored old colonial farmhouse on the shores of Lake Naivasha.

The Great Lakes are easily accessible by either road or seat in plane flights. You can continue on to the Masai Mara or Laikipia.

Back to main Kenya safari page.

Why We Love It

  • Beautiful lakes filled with grunting hippos, cool crocodiles and the air pink with flamingos
  • Along its entire length are active and semi-active volcanoes and hot springs
  • Soda Lakes of Kenya are a highlight for birding and game-viewing, as well as boating and fishing
  • Spectacular canyon, hot springs and abundant wildlife at Hell’s Gate
  • Picnic at Crescent Island or go on a guided walk around Crater Lake

When to visit Great Rift Valley Lakes

Summer in Great Rift Valley Lakes

The broad Laikipia area (which encompasses the Lewa Conservancy, Ol Pejeta Game Reserve and the Highlands Conservancies) are at a high altitude, often over 2,000m (6,500ft). So this makes the days pleasant and the nights quite cool (10-11C) with only occasional afternoon showers.
AVG RAINFALL 48 mm
MAX TEMP 28 ℃ / 82 ℉
MIN TEMP 9 ℃ / 48 ℉
TALK TO US

Autumn in Great Rift Valley Lakes

The long rains here take the form of hard afternoon showers so there is still plenty of sunshine. April is the wettest month.
AVG RAINFALL 135 mm
MAX TEMP 26 ℃ / 79 ℉
MIN TEMP 12 ℃ / 54 ℉
TALK TO US

Winter in Great Rift Valley Lakes

Interestingly it continues to rain here through the winter months, though not as much as in April. Indeed rain can be as frequent as every 2-3 days in July and August. The temperatures are cooler but remain a pleasant 22-24C whilst nights can dip down to 9C.
AVG RAINFALL 91 mm
MAX TEMP 24 ℃ / 75 ℉
MIN TEMP 10 ℃ / 50 ℉
TALK TO US

Spring in Great Rift Valley Lakes

Unlike further south, there is no real short rain period. In fact it tends to be very similar to the later summer months with a gradual rise to warmer temperatures but nothing hectic.
AVG RAINFALL 62 mm
MAX TEMP 24 ℃ / 75 ℉
MIN TEMP 10 ℃ / 50 ℉
TALK TO US

Download our Insiders Guide to Kenya Safaris

Best Game Reserves, sample tours & camps, and the low-down on when & where to visit! Get our Free Guide here
Find me the best in for
staff image

Gloria Darvall

AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST

Hi I'm Gloria, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience GET IN TOUCH