Lake Baringo, in Kenya's central Rift Valley, is one of only two freshwater lakes in the Rift system alongside Naivasha, and it sees a fraction of the visitor numbers — making it one of the best-kept boat safari secrets in the country. The lake supports a substantial hippo population along with prolific birdlife, having been recognised as an Important Bird Area with well over 400 recorded species around its shores and surrounding cliffs.
Boat trips here follow a similar format to Naivasha's — slow cruises past hippo pods and along the shoreline — but Baringo's added draw is its population of fish eagles trained to respond to a whistle and a thrown fish, a demonstration local boatmen have offered for decades that reliably produces close, dramatic swoops for photography.
What makes Baringo distinct
- Far fewer visitors than Naivasha, giving a quieter, more exclusive feel to boat trips.
- Excellent birdwatching, including species found in few other parts of Kenya.
- Njemps (Ilchamus) fishing communities live along the lakeshore, with cultural visits sometimes arrangeable through local guides.
- The lake's water levels have fluctuated significantly in recent years, so ask locally about current conditions before a trip.
Baringo sits further north than Naivasha and Nakuru, making it a slightly longer detour, but a rewarding one for travellers who want a genuine Rift Valley lake experience away from the more established tourist routes.
