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© Mwangi Gitau

Lake Elementaita

-0.42798 , 36.23665

Kenya

Lake Elementaita is one of the alkaline lakes in the Great Rift Valley around 120 kilometers northwest of Nairobi. Lake Elementeita is a crucial breeding site for the Great White Pelicans and has over 400 bird species recorded. A huge concentration of the Lesser Flamingos flock to the lake to feed on the blue-green algae. Lake Elementeita was designated as one of the wetlands of global importance (Ramsar Site) in the year 2005. 

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : -0.4280/36.2366 (2020-11-29 22:00:43 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Lake Elementaita" (2020-11-29 22:00:43 )

Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-29 18:57:17
Lake Elementaita is one of the alkaline lakes in the Great Rift Valley around 120 kilometers northwest of Nairobi. Lake Elementeita is a crucial breeding site for the Great White Pelicans and has over 400 bird species recorded. A huge concentration of the Lesser Flamingos flock to the lake to feed on the blue-green algae. Lake Elementeita was designated as one of the wetlands of global importance (Ramsar Site) in the year 2005. 
Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-29 18:40:34
Lake Elementaita is one of the alkaline lakes in the Great Rift Valley around 120 kilometers northwest of Nairobi. Lake Elementeita is a crucial breeding site for the Great White Pelicans and has over 400 bird species recorded. A huge concentration of the Lesser Flamingos flock to the lake to feed on the blue-green algae.
Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-29 17:51:28
Lake Elementaita is one of the alkaline lakes in the Great Rift Valley around 120 kilometers northwest of Nairobi. Lake Elementeita is a crucial breeding site for the Great White Pelicans and has over 400 bird species recorded. A huge concentration of the Lesser Flamingos flock to the lake to feed on the blue-green algae.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Cape Teal (Anas capensis)
Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor)
Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius)
Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus)
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica)
Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
Black Heron (Egretta ardesiaca)
Brown Snake-Eagle (Circaetus cinereus)
Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus)
Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malaiensis)
Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax)
Cape Eagle-Owl (Bubo capensis)
Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum)
Green Woodhoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus)
Broad-billed Roller (Eurystomus glaucurus)
Greater Honeyguide (Indicator indicator)
Gray-crested Helmetshrike (Prionops poliolophus)
Brubru (Nilaus afer)
Buff-bellied Warbler (Phyllolais pulchella)
Long-tailed Starling (Aplonis magna)
White-browed Robin-Chat (Cossypha heuglini)
Northern Anteater-Chat (Myrmecocichla aethiops)
Red-headed Weaver (Anaplectes rubriceps)

Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:12:08)

Cape Eagle-Owl (Bubo capensis) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:11:22)

White-browed Robin-Chat (Cossypha heuglini) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:09:29)

Brown Snake-Eagle (Circaetus cinereus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:08:30)

Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:08:06)

Greater Honeyguide (Indicator indicator) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:07:41)

Black Heron (Egretta ardesiaca) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:06:58)

Red-headed Weaver (Anaplectes rubriceps) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:06:06)

Northern Anteater-Chat (Myrmecocichla aethiops) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:05:17)

Broad-billed Roller (Eurystomus glaucurus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:04:48)

Buff-bellied Warbler (Phyllolais pulchella) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:04:20)

Brubru (Nilaus afer) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:03:50)

Long-tailed Starling (Aplonis magna) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 18:00:26)

Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 17:59:16)

Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 17:58:57)

Gray-crested Helmetshrike (Prionops poliolophus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 17:58:32)

Green Woodhoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 17:58:08)

Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 17:57:30)

Cape Teal (Anas capensis) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 17:56:53)

Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 17:56:29)

Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malaiensis) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 17:54:33)

Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 17:53:04)

Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-29 17:52:43)

  • Timing and strategy

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Not available yet
  • How to get there

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Not available yet

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Not available yet
  • Other attractions

The adjacent Soysambu Conservancy has a lot of mammals which some may be seen while birding on the lake's shore, Kikopey Hotsprings  is also an attraction, it has lukewarm water that attracts fish, the Sleeping Warrior and Otutu Hills are not far from the lake and are ideal for hikers

Kariandusi archaeological site is the first Acheulian site found undisturbed in East Africa, only a few minute's drive from the lake

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-29 19:20
The adjacent Soysambu Conservancy has a lot of mammals which some may be seen while birding on the lake's shore, Kikopey Hotsprings  is also an attraction, it has lukewarm water that attracts fish, the Sleeping Warrior and Otutu Hills are not far from the lake and are ideal for hikers Kariandusi archaeological site is the first Acheulian site found undisturbed in East Africa, only a few minute's drive from the lake
Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-29 19:19
The adjacent Soysambu Conservancy has a lot of mammals which some may be seen while birding on the lake's shore, Kikopey Hotsprings  is also an attraction, it has lukewarm water that attracts fish, the Sleeping Warrior and Otutu Hills are not far from the lake and are ideal for hikers Kariandusi archaeological site is the first Acheulian site found undisturbed in East Africa, only a few minute's drive from the lake

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Not available yet

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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