Kenya
Great Rift Valley
Region
Northwest and southwest of Nairobi, the land drops steeply into the East African Rift Valley: a chain of lakes, extinct volcanoes, and gorges, which you can reach from the capital in one to two hours by car.
by Felix Gillen
Northwest and southwest of Nairobi, the land drops steeply into the East African Rift Valley: a chain of lakes, extinct volcanoes, and gorges, which you can reach from the capital in one to two hours by car. Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate, Mount Longonot, and Lake Nakuru are situated close together here, making them ideal for a first safari leg or for hiking and cycling.Three of the soda lakes – Nakuru, Elmenteita, and Bogoria – have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage "Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley" since 2011, one of the most important feeding grounds for the lesser flamingo worldwide.
Lakes between Fresh and Soda WaterLake Naivasha is a freshwater lake home to hippos and over 400 recorded bird species. Further north are the alkaline soda lakes Elmenteita and Nakuru, where flamingos feed on algae. Lake Magadi, a soda lake fed by hot springs, lies far to the south near the Tanzanian border. The water levels of many Rift Valley lakes have risen significantly since around 2010, flooding lakeside roads and causing large fluctuations in flamingo populations.Volcanoes and GorgesThe Rift Valley is geologically active. In Hell's Gate National Park, volcanic vents rise from red cliffs, while the Olkaria power plants harness geothermal energy nearby. Mount Longonot (2,776 m) is a volcano with a walkable crater rim, and the Menengai Crater near Nakuru is one of Kenya's largest calderas.World Heritage and PrehistoryThe UNESCO World Heritage site of the Kenyan lakes covers approximately 32,000 hectares at Nakuru, Elmenteita, and Bogoria. The region also includes significant prehistoric sites: Olorgesailie on the road to Magadi, featuring Acheulean hand-axes, and Hyrax Hill near Nakuru. Lake Bogoria is located in Baringo County, for which official travel advice warns against travel, and is therefore not part of this travel guide. Check the current UK FCDO travel advice before you travel.
More places in Great Rift Valley
Lake Elmenteita is a small soda lake between Naivasha and Nakuru, about 120 km northwest of Nairobi near the Nairobi-Nakuru-Highway. The lake is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Kenyan Rift Valley Lakes, attracts large flamingo flocks depending on water levels, and is the last remaining breeding ground for pelicans in Kenya.Two-thirds of its shoreline belong to the Soysambu Conservancy, a private ranch owned by the Delamere family, featuring zebras, giraffes, and gazelles.
Naivasha is located approximately 93 road kilometers northwest of Nairobi on the freshwater lake of the same name. Hippos, over 400 bird species, and its proximity to Hell's Gate and Mount Longonot make the lake a popular weekend destination and the first leg of many safaris through the Rift Valley.The town itself is a bustling agricultural center, with accommodations and restaurants primarily lining Moi South Lake Road on the southern shore.
Hell's Gate National Park lies south of Lake Naivasha, around 90 km from Nairobi, and is one of Kenya's few parks where you can explore on foot or by bike among zebras, buffaloes, and antelopes. Red cliffs, the volcanic plugs Fischer's Tower and Central Tower, and a narrow gorge define the mere 68 km² landscape.The scenery served as inspiration for the animated film "The Lion King" (1994); among other productions, "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life" was filmed here.
Exploring the Rift Valley
Roads and DistancesThe main route is the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway (A104): Naivasha is about 93 km, Nakuru about 160 km from Nairobi, with Lake Elmenteita in between. You reach Lake Magadi via the C58 heading south, Olorgesailie is along this route.With Driver or Rental CarMost travelers arrive with a safari vehicle and driver. Hell's Gate and Mount Longonot can also be visited as a day trip from Nairobi or Naivasha. For Lake Magadi, a vehicle with high ground clearance is recommended.National ParksThe parks are managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), admission is paid cashless via the eCitizen portal.Fees apply per person and 24 hours and vary significantly by park. Current prices can be found on the KWS website.
