Lake Magadi is an amazingly unique and serene destination for nature lovers, bird lovers and adventure camping tourists. Endowed with a wide variety of bird species, the lake’s spectacular geographical landscape to the northern part serves as the main attraction to many visitors in search of pristine camping grounds in the vast wilderness.
Lake Magadi is well known for its wading birds, including flamingos and Pelicans. A number of wild animals are also found around the lake; this includes giraffes, antelopes, ostriches, zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, and a few lion families are only seen very early in the morning or at night when the temperatures are low. Elephants and buffalos can be seen at the conservancy to the south of the lake.
The Lake occupies the lowest level of the vast rift valley depression, approximately 100 square kilometres and its bed consist almost entirely of solid or semisolid soda; crispy caked crust, dyeing the waters vivid pink. This is the southernmost lake in the Kenyan Rift Valley, lying in a catchment of faulted volcanic rocks, north of Tanzania's Lake Natron. During the dry season, the lake is mainly covered by soda (sodium carbonate).
A single species of fish, a cichlid Alcolapia grahami, inhabits the hot, highly alkaline waters of this lake basin and is commonly seen in some of the hot spring pools around the shoreline, where the water temperature is less than 45°C. An amazing view of the lake that fascinates many travellers is on top of a hill next to the bird rock where many bird species gather for warmth in the early and late hours of the day.
A causeway that crosses the lake provides access to the area west of the lake to Nguruman Escarpment where visitors can enjoy an amazing landscape view and swim at the pool below the escarpment’s waterfalls. Trekking up the escarpment takes about an hour preferably early morning when the temperatures are low.
Lake Magadi is featured in Fernando Meirelles's film The Constant Gardener, which is based on the book of the same name by John le Carré,
What To Do At Lake Magadi
Game Drives
Lake Magadi has a number of wild animals to see: most common wildlife includes the giraffe, wildebeest, zebras, antelopes and gerenuk. Other animals can also be seen at specific times of the early morning and late evening around the lake and in the conservancy – this includes hyenas, lions, buffalos and elephants. This is because the temperatures during the day are so high and some of these animals go in hiding to escape the heat. You need to plan in advance with tour guides to be able to see them. Night game drive is also possible to see the nocturnal animals.
Hot Springs Bath
The hot springs serve as a key attraction to many visitors to Magadi. This is a natural basin curved depression on the ground with bubbling hot waters. The water is believed to have medicinal value to the skin curing ailments such as skin rashes, pimples and acne, dry skin conditions and also helps in strengthening the bones in the body. A late evening or early morning bath is a thrilling massage-like, best experience one can have. (During the day it can be too hot with the overhead sun)
Trekking and Hiking - Landscape Viewing
On an overnight safari, hiking can be planned on the northern part of the lake – little lake Magadi. Little lake Magadi is a detached small lake from the main lake with an island in the centre. This area is pristine and the landscape is just so beautiful. Tourists would trek and hike around the lake identifying the different bird species, the eggs on the ground and to the northern hot springs for egg boiling. The waters here are too hot to touch. In most occasions, tourists would sit around the rocks for the steam bath which massages your body and bones. Remember, the area is humid and hot: wear closed rubber shoes and have enough drinking water.
Star Gazing - Night Bonfire With Nyama Choma
Magadi sky is in most times blue clear. Visitors on camping safari are able to see the stars at night identifying the various starts and also the Milky Way pattern. Plans are currently underway to include professional astronauts with equipment’s to be able to view the stars.
This can be organized for visitors on an overnight safari. Visitors would be entertained by traditional Maasai dance and music by the warriors as they enjoy the mouthwatering nyama choma prepared in traditional style. On request, tourists can participate in slaughtering and roasting the meat the traditional way.
Bird Watching
The lake is endowed with a number of bird species such as flamingoes, water ducks, pelicans, white stalk, marabou stalk, blacksmith pullover, eared avocets, black wing stilt among many other…
During the rainy season, the lake received thousands of flamingoes from the breeding grounds of Lake Natron which is close by.
Cultural Maasai Boma Visit
On request, tourists can visit local traditional Maasai bomas commonly known as manyattas: the visit has to be organized early in the morning or in the evening when the cattle’s and goats are in the homestead. You can have an opportunity to learn about the lifestyle of the community, their beliefs and also participate in the milking of the goats and cows.
Breakfast or dinner can be organized in the cultural bomas.
What To See At Lake Magadi
Lake Magadi holds some remarkable wildlife, landscape and birding sights that you have to see them to believe.
Birding Sites
The variety of birds in Lake Magadi is made possible by the favourable climate, diverse habitats and geographical features that make it a suitable migratory route for birds.
The lake is endowed with a wide variety of birds including flamingoes and pelicans among hundreds of other bird species.
Landscape
Often dubbed “All of Kenya in one region” certainly Magadi’s landscape is among the most scenically diverse and dramatic on the African continent. The northern part of the lake towards Ngurumani escarpment is scenic and the landscape is amazing.
This is a great destination for hiking and exploration of the breeding grounds for birds. Camping is also appropriate around the lake.
Wildlife
Game to be encountered includes giraffes, wildebeests, Somali Ostrich, Beisa Oryx, Zebra, long-necked antelopes, the Gerenuk.
Other wild animals though rare to be seen during the day include the hyenas, lions and elephants in the Shompole Conservancy.
