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The Great Rift Valley Travel Guide

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The Great Rift Valley
Great Rift Valley
Millions of years ago the earth's crust was weakened and it tore apart creating a split thousands of kilometres long down the continent of Africa, up to 62 miles (100km) wide in places. Volcanic eruptions on either side caused the floor to sink into a flat plain creating the Great Rift Valley. It is one of Kenya's characteristic features and divides the country in half, from north to south, with stunning panoramas and beautiful escarpment backdrops. The wide valley is scattered with a few volcanoes and several lakes; it is inhabited by grazing animals, Masai herders and small-town dwellers.

The string of alkaline lakes known for their stunning scenery and variety of bird life include Lakes Naivasha, Elementeita, Nakuru, Bogoria and Baringo. The uniqueness of these lakes lies in their high concentration of sodium carbonate from the surrounding volcanic rocks. This creates an ideal breeding ground for algae and a thriving environment for fish, which in turn attracts millions of birds to feed on the abundant food supply. Each of the lakes has a different water composition ranging from freshwater to very saline and brackish, with different bird life attracted to each.

The freshwater ecosystems at Lake Naivasha and Baringo, the nature reserve at Lake Bogoria, and the Nakuru National Park are a source of endless fascination, teeming with an incredible diversity of birds and large concentrations of animals. Hell's Gate National Park allows visitors to walk or cycle among the wildlife, and nearby Elsamere Conservation Centre provides a look at the life of Joy Adamson and the lioness Elsa, of 'Born Free' fame.




Attractions

Joy Adamson and Elsa © www.elsatrust.org

Elsamere Conservation Centre

Along the southern shore of Lake Naivasha is the former home of naturalist and painter Joy Adamson, author of 'Born Free', and now the Elsamere Conservation Centre, incorporating a guesthouse and a small museum. Visitors are invited to join the guests daily at...  see full details



A Hell's Gate gorge © Nao Iizuka

Hell’s Gate National Park

Named for the pair of massive red cliffs of the Njorowa Gorge that encloses a geothermic area of hot springs and steam vents, Hell’s Gate is one of the two parks in Kenya that allows visitors to explore on foot, making it an...  see full details



Elephant © Paul Mannix

Lake Naivasha

Recognised for its abundance of birdlife and beautiful scenery, and with the nearby attractions of Elsamere and Hell's Gate National Park, Lake Naivasha is a popular destination and a place of pilgrimage for bird fanatics. The lake is a shimmering waterscape of floating hyacinth...  see full details



Nakuru National Park © Judith Duk

Lake Nakuru National Park

Although tiny, this park has huge concentrations of game with everything except elephant, and is one of Kenya’s important rhino sanctuaries. Apart from the rhino, there are several prides of lion and it is the best place to spot leopard. The surface of the...  see full details


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