The Kigio Wildlife Conservancy is a protected Conservancy near Gilgil in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya . It is owned and operated by the local community.
59-400: The conservancy, which covers 3,500 acres (1,400 ha), is located between Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha . Kigio Conservancy derives its name- Kigio from the area where the community that owns it came from. It was originally a cattle ranch owned by white settlers. After buying the ranch, the local community decided that there could be more revenue from eco-tourism. Fees now provide income to
118-455: A consequence of faulting. In 1969, it spread over 6 km in length; but water was diverted from the Waseges river and by 2001 it was only 3.5 km long and about 0.5 km wide. At least three warm springs, and groundwater inputs, feed it. The Loboi river also contributes to it but that river periodically shifts its bed ( avulsions ) and that modifies its relative role regarding the swamp. This river
177-450: A denser more saline bottom waters. The lake has not always been saline. Sediment cores from the lake floor have shown that freshwater conditions existed for several periods during the past 10,000 years. Of the ca. 60 hot springs that discharge on Loburu delta plain on the western margin of the lake, travertine appears at 20% of them. Carbonate is actively precipitating at several of these, as shown by calcite-encrusted artefacts. This
236-465: A drainage divide that separates lake Bogoria and lake Baringo. The faults control over 200 hot and cold springs and seeps, which bring a significant water input. Core analysis of the lake floor has revealed two types of sedimentation: a shallow fan–deltaic clastic zone; and a deeper zone where Organic matters alternate with evaporites . The organic muds were formed during periods of relatively high lake level and high microbial productivity; whereas
295-585: A landmark ruling, ordering the Kenyan government to restore the Endorois to their historic land, compensate them from losses and sharing with them the profits from the Lake Bogoria game reserve. But in 2022, Minority Rights Group reported that that decision had not yet been implemented and has many Endorois were still consigned to 'severe poverty, illiteracy, poor health and a life of destitution.' In 2024
354-528: A major fault, with steep slopes that prevent wetland development (the Siracho Escarpment, to the east ). To the west, trachy phonolites (uncommon extrusive igneous rock) are cut through by numerous gently sloping tilt-blocks; rivers oriented north-south feed delta lobes, where spring-fed wetlands have developed. The north opens on a basin with Quaternary silts , sands and gravels; there, the gently sloping Sandai and Loboi plains gradually rise to
413-467: A pH range of 9.3–10.6. Some shallow marginal lagoons have salinities exceeding 100 g l−1. Temperature at the time of sampling ranged between 28 and 33 ◦C, but exceed 60 ◦C at sublacustrine hot spring vents. However, cyanobacteria — mainly Spirulina platensis — are abundant and support up to 2 million flamingoes. Lake Bogoria is in a geothermally active part of the Kenya Rift Valley, and
472-428: A possible future expansion of habitat for the rhinos and the only remaining wildlife corridor to Lake Naivasha . The park now (2009) has more than 25 eastern black rhinoceros , one of the largest concentrations in the country, plus around 70 southern white rhinos . There are also a number of Rothschild's giraffe , again relocated for safety from western Kenya beginning in 1977. Waterbuck are very common and both
531-463: A sanctuary to protect giraffes as well as both black and white rhinos . The park has recently been enlarged partly to provide a sanctuary for black rhinos. This endeavour has necessitated a fence - to keep out poachers rather than to restrict the movement of wildlife. The park stretches for 12.1 km (7.5 mi) on the south eastern boundary with the Soysambu conservancy , which represents
590-464: A small (varying from 5 to 45 square kilometres [1.9 to 17.4 sq mi]) shallow alkaline lake on the southern edge of the town of Nakuru lies about 164 kilometres (102 mi) north of Nairobi . It can therefore be visited in a day tour from the capital or more likely as part of a circuit including the Masai Mara (Also Maasai Mara) or Lake Baringo and eastwards up to Samburu . The lake
649-566: A variety of fluvial, deltaic, and beach settings. It has active hot springs that feed a series of marshes dominated by Cyperus laevigatus . The springs are alkaline, of the Na-HCO 3 type, contain a lot of silica and nitrate, and the temperature near the vents is extremely hot (more than 96◦C). The areas immediately adjacent to the vents and in nearby streamlets commonly include microbial mats of Phormidium, Pseudanabaena , Spirulina , Synechococcus and Calothrix , but are devoid of macrophytes.
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#1732786793507708-632: A wetter area populated by near pure stands of Cyperus papyrus that are rooted or floating in water up to 1.5 m deep. Acacia scrub occurs on an adjacent horst block to the west, with grasses such as Sporobolus spicata on adjacent plains. These are also to the north of the lake, east of the Loboi swamp. They rest at the southern end of an extensive alluvial fan formed by the Sandai river. The Kesubo Floodplain Marshes are seasonally flooded and lie between
767-509: Is above 2500 mm, thus inducing a water deficit and creating semi-arid conditions over most of the lower parts of the Bogoria basin. Although the lake is in a semi-arid part of Kenya Rift Valley , it is surrounded by numerous and varied wetlands along its shorelines, along faults where hot, warm and cold springs have developed, and along rivers that run across the rift floor. Six major types of wetland have been defined around lake Bogoria:
826-671: Is also found here. The last giraffe in the region was killed by poachers in 1996. The management of the reserve applied to the Kenya Wildlife Service to have Rothschild's giraffe moved to the conservancy. This was granted on condition that the conservancy was fenced, which was done with funding from the European Union and the Born Free Foundation. The conservancy, bounded by the Malewa River to
885-415: Is best known for its thousands, sometimes millions of flamingos nesting along the shores. The surface of the shallow lake is often hardly recognizable due to the continually shifting mass of pink. The number of flamingos on the lake varies with water and food conditions and the best vantage point is from Baboon Cliff . Also, of interest is an area of 188 km (117 mi)around the lake fenced off as
944-555: Is cool and only slightly alkaline. The springs have a similar chemistry but they are warmer, have a higher nitrate content, and are slightly acidic. The resulting waters of the Loboi Swamp are also slightly alkaline, and generally reflect the mixing of fluvial, spring and groundwater inflows. Its areas of semi-permanent or seasonal standing water are dominated by Typha domingensis and also have some Leersia hexandra , Ipomoea aquatica , and other taxa . These areas surround
1003-531: Is famous for geysers and hot springs along the bank of the lake and in the lake. There are about 200 hot springs, most of which are distributed along the shoreline. In four locations around the lake can be observed at least 10 geysers, which erupt up to 5 m high. Geyser activity is affected by the fluctuations of lake level, which may inundate or expose some geysers. Lake Bogoria occupies an asymmetric basin approximately 20 km long and 10 km wide, bordered by faults . The east and south borders are marked by
1062-430: Is generally 3,300 ha (8,200 acres) but this fluctuates, essentially according to the amount of rainfall. Most of the rain falls between April and November, and precipitation ranges average about 700 mm on the Loboi plain and 1200 mm on the adjacent highlands. But El Nino years bring increased rainfall and flooding of the lake shores. For example, in 2020 its area increased to about 4,690 ha (11,600 acres): 2020
1121-706: Is in the Gregorian Rift Valley . It was once part of a larger freshwater lake, joined with the current Lake Baringo . As shown on the satellite picture at the top of this page, it is divided in three lobes: a large center one and two smaller ones at the north and south extremities. The two narrower areas separating these lobes are shallow, tectonically controlled sills at Nyalibuch and Mwanassis. There are contradictions regarding its altitude. Unesco's Ramsar gives 963 m (3,159 ft). More precise — and more prudent —, Renaut & Owen 1991 give c. 990 m as of August 1977, but also indicate that
1180-477: Is periodically home to one of the world's largest populations of lesser flamingos . The lake is a Ramsar site and Lake Bogoria National Reserve has been a protected National Reserve since November 29, 1973. The lake was formerly named after Bishop James Hannington who visited in 1885. Lake Bogoria is located in Baringo County, about 120 km north of Nakuru city and 240 km north of Nairobi . It
1239-546: Is rich in other bird life too. There are over 400 resident species on the lake and in the surrounding park. Thousands of both little grebes and white winged black terns are frequently seen as are stilts , avocets , ducks , and in the European winter the migrant waders. Zooplankton : The monogonont rotifer species Brachionus sp. Austria (belonging to the Brachionus plicatilis cryptic species complex) occurs in
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#17327867935071298-472: Is unusual, in that this precipitation most probably occurs at temperatures over 80 °C. The geysers are believed by some to have medicinal value. The terrestrial vegetation that immediately surrounds the lake is mainly a thorny bushland dominated by Acacia , Salvadora , Balanites and Commiphora species. There are also patches of riverine woodland with Ficus capensis , Acacia xanthophloea and Acacia tortilis . One species dominates
1357-456: Is world-famous as the location of one of the greatest bird spectacle on earth – myriads of fuchsia pink flamingos , of which there are often more than a million, or even two million. They feed on the abundant algae , which thrives in the warm waters. Scientists reckon that the flamingo population at Nakuru consumes about 250,000 kg (550,000 lb) of algae per hectare of surface area per year. There are two types of flamingo species:
1416-412: The Brachionus plicatilis cryptic species complex) is found in high densities. A new alkaliphilic purple nonsulfur bacterium was discovered in lake Bogoria; it has been named Rhodobaca bogoriensis . The lake supports more than 300 waterbird species. It is an important stopover site for a population of up to 1.5 million migratory birds, notably for the lesser flamingo ( Phoeniconaias minor ). In
1475-611: The Kenyan subspecies are found here. Among the predators are lions , cheetahs and leopards , the latter being seen much more frequently in recent times. The park also has large sized pythons that inhabit the dense woodlands, and can often be seen crossing the roads or dangling from trees. As well as flamingos, there are a myriad of other bird species that inhabit the lake and the area surrounding it, such as African fish eagle , Goliath heron , hamerkop , pied kingfisher and Verreaux's eagle among others of their kind. Lake Nakuru,
1534-582: The Maasai language . Lake Nakuru National Park, close to Nakuru town, was established in 1961. It started off small, only encompassing the famous lake and the surrounding mountainous vicinity, but has since been extended to include a large part of the savannahs . Lake Nakuru is protected under the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. Lake Nakuru National Park (188 km , 73 mi ), was created in 1961 around Lake Nakuru , near Nakuru Town. It
1593-568: The Sandai and Emsos rivers, and from about 200 alkaline hot springs that are present at three onshore sites: Loburu, Chemurkeu, and a southern group (Ng'wasis, Koibobei, Losaramat). Other springs discharge directly from the lake floor. Lake Bogoria also contains the highest concentration of true geysers in Africa (at least 18 have been active in the 35 years before 2008). The lake is meromictic (stratified) with less dense surface waters lying on
1652-551: The Waseges river (or Sandai river), the latter bringing a small permanent flow of the diverted Loboi river. These wetlands are fed by ephemeral or perennial streams, and by springs. In the south, two freshwater springs supply permanent streams. All three (the Wasenge river and the two streams) are used extrensively for drinking, as well as the water from some hot springs streams — some of these being substantially less salty than
1711-415: The lesser flamingo (shorter and lighter) and the greater flamingo (taller and darker). The lesser flamingos are more commonly pictured in documentaries mainly because their larger numbers. The number of flamingos has been decreasing recently, possibly due to too much tourism or by pollution resulting from industrial waste dumping into the water sources in the surrounding area - changes in water quality make
1770-966: The phytoplankton : Arthrospira fusiformis , a cyanobacterium spirulina . But all these wetlands see the occurrence of diatoms in at least parts of them; these diatoms vary in diversity, abundance and species composition. The main factors directing these variables are pH, temperature, and specific conductivity; secondary factors are Si and nitrate . Hot springs generally have a low diversity of diatoms, with variable abundance; they commonly include Anomoeoneis sphaerophora var. guntheri , Navicula tenella , Navicula cuspidata , and Nitzschia invisitata . In other wetland types, distinctive diatom floras variously include Fragilaria brevistriata , Gomphonema parvulum , Navicula tenelloides , Nitzschia communis , N. latens , N. sigma , Rhopalodia gibberula , and Stauroneis anceps . The flamingoes feed on Arthrospira fusiformis . The monogonont rotifer species Brachionus sp. Austria (belonging to
1829-547: The 1990s, two episodes of mass deaths occurred among flamingos, all starting from Lake Bogoria. The first episode, in 1993-1995, saw about 35,000 flamingos dying between August and November 1993 and about 15,000 dying in August 1995. The second episode occurred in 1999-2000; the number of deaths for 2000 was estimated at around 100,000. In both cases, flamingos were the only water bird species falling victim to this unknown phenomenon. The studies on these events were not conclusive as to
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1888-463: The Cyperus marshes, which have similar water chemistries, are dominated by short reeds less than 20 cm high. Temperatures range from about 32◦C to about 60◦C near the hot spring streamlets that cross the marshes. There are also algal and cyanobacterial mats. The lake shoreline at Loburu (and other shorelines) does not present many aquatic macrophytes. The lake brine is of Na-CO3-HCO3-Cl composition, with
1947-703: The Endorois allied with the Ogiek people — who have themselves been initially evicted in 1920 from their ancestral grounds in the Mau Forest (south-west Kenya) by the British colonial government. In 2017 the Ogiek also won a court case against the Kenian government, whereby the latter was supposed to restitute the Ogiek ancestral land and pay a compensation of 157,000 Kenyan shillings ($ 1,026) per person. As of 2024, not only
2006-470: The common hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus amphibius ) and African lion ( Panthera leo ); another important species is the greater kudu ( Tragelaphus strepsiceros ). The lake's stable water level makes it doubly important during periods of drought, when water levels in other East African lakes drop. The Site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011 and an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). The Ramsar site, designated on August 27, 2001, covers
2065-455: The community and help cover the cost of maintenance. Several organizations have provided funding for infrastructure and conservation including Tusk Trust , Born Free Foundation and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy . and Projects Abroad (www.projects-abroad.org) The Kigio Wildlife Conservancy contains diverse habitats including short grass, Leleshwa shrub, euphorbia woodlands, and riverine woodlands. Almost 100 indigenous plant species are protected in
2124-552: The conservancy. There are over three hundred bird species including what is said to be the world's largest population of grey-crested helmetshrikes . There are about 3,500 head of large mammals, up from about 100 head in 1996. Grazing animals include African buffalo , common eland , impala , waterbuck , Grant's gazelle , Thomson's gazelle and Grant's zebra . Other species include spotted hyena , African leopard , hippopotamus , caracal , aardvark , aardwolf , honey badger and spring hare . The endangered Rothschild's giraffe
2183-503: The east, is now enclosed by an electric fence on the three other sides. The BBC programme, Born to be Wild included an episode that covered the process of relocating the giraffes. From eight Rothschild's giraffe moved from Lake Nakuru National Park in 2002 there were almost thirty by 2012. The conservancy offers accommodation at Malewa Wildlife Lodge and Kigio Wildlife Camp, both built with traditional techniques and materials. Guests may participate in activities that have minimal impact on
2242-568: The entire National Reserve, with an area of 10,700 ha (26,000 acres), shared between the 3,300 ha lake and 7,400 ha of riparian and terrestrial habitats. The lake area was the traditional home of the Endorois people , who were forced to leave the area in the 1970s and are now challenging their removal at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights . In 2009 the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) made
2301-467: The environment, including guided walks, cycling and fishing. They may also take game-spotting drives in open-sided 4x4 vehicles during the day or at night. Locally-made craft works are also sold, with much of the proceeds going to the community fund. Lake Nakuru Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley lakes , located at an elevation of 1,754 m (5,755 ft) above sea level. It lies to
2360-706: The evaporites were formed during drier periods. The cores attest of many environmental fluctuations during the past 30 000 years, linked to regional climatic changes and to local tectonic and hydrological conditions. Lake Bogoria is a soda lake : it has no surface outlet, its waters are strongly alkaline ( pH :10.5). High salt concentrations are also given (40‰) and this increases when the total amount of water decreases (evapoconcentration). Thus, following an extreme draught from March to October 2009, salt saturation reached 48‰. Soda lakes are highly productive ecosystems. Its waters contain large concentrations of Na , HCO 3 , CO 3 et Cl ions. They originate from inflow from
2419-426: The flamingos' food, Cyanobacteria , or blue-green algae, causing them to migrate to the nearby Lakes, more recently lakes Elementaita , Simbi Nyaima and Bogoria . Local climate changes have also been hypothesized to contribute to the changing environmental conditions in the lakes catchment. Recent media reports indicate increasing concern among stakeholders, as mass flamingo migrations and deaths could spell doom to
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2478-588: The government has so far failed to implement the court's orders as in the case of the Endorois, but has persisted in further evictions imposed in November 2023 by the Kenyan authorities during the visit of Britain's King Charles III . On 6 February 2024, both ethnies demonstrated together in Nairobi with the support of the International Network for Economic, social and cultural rights to demand
2537-404: The government implement the rulings. The area is inhabited by Tugen and Jemps pastoralists, and livestock grazing is the main land use in the area. The lake and its surroundings attract 200,000 tourists per year, due to the wildlife, the hot springs, the spectacular cliffs and escarpments and the rich indigenous culture. Hotel accommodation is available near Loboi village at the north end of
2596-443: The graminoid vegetation is interspersed with cyanobacterial and algal mats. Water from the blister mounds, and other seeps and springs, support wet meadows and Typha swamps. The blister mounds and Typha swamps have a more or less neutral pH, low conductivities and total alkalinity. The marshes to the north of the lake do not feed any river outlet. They are linked to both Lake Bogoria and adjacent Lake Baringo ; both lakes are fed by
2655-501: The lake temporarily inhospitable for flamingoes. Usually, the lake recedes during the dry season and floods during the wet season. In recent years, there have been wide variations between the dry and wet seasons' water levels. It is suspected that this is caused by increasing watershed land conversion to intensive crop production and urbanization, both which reduce the capacity of soils to absorb water, recharge ground water and thus increase seasonal flooding. Pollution and drought destroy
2714-521: The lake water. Other streams, such as the Emsos to the south and the Parkirichai to the west, are ephemeral: they flow only after heavy rains. This swamp is to the north of the lake. It hugs the base of a horst block (raised fault block bounded by normal faults) oriented north-south. According to radiocarbon datation, it was created only 700 years ago in a former floodplain environment — possibly as
2773-484: The lake's level fluctuates seasonally by 50 to 100 cm; and that it can vary by several meters for short periods, having fluctuated between c. 988 and c. 996 m during the 20th century. Lake-shore terraces around the shoreline, made of coarse angular gravel and angular orthoconglomerates, mark higher lake levels from the Pleistocene and Holocene. They are visible on 45% of the present level, and some are about 9 m above
2832-402: The lake. (listed alphabetically) Lake Bogoria Lake Bogoria (formerly Lake Hannington) is a saline , alkaline lake that lies in a volcanic region in a half- graben basin south of Lake Baringo , Kenya , a little north of the equator . Lake Bogoria, like Lake Nakuru , Lake Elementeita , and Lake Magadi further south in the Rift Valley , and Lake Logipi to the north,
2891-445: The main cause of death. Heavy metal poisoning was suggested but such poisoning does not have a periodic effect: its effect are continuous, and in these cases not compatible with the periodic dying; nor was it coherent with that birds of all ages were concerned, whereas such poisoning affects older individuals more than younger ones (ther older ones have had more time to accumulate poison in their bodies). Food poisoning has also been cited.
2950-445: The main food for lesser flamingo is Spirulina platensis , which is abundantly produced in the lakes of that region; but around the years that saw this heavy mortality toll, there had been an important increase of toxic cyanobacteria , especially during periods of algal blooms ; and the symptoms of dying flamingos were similar to those of algal toxicity. Its immediate surroundings are a critical habitat for vulnerable species such as
3009-454: The other endorheic lakes in Kenya. The Rift Valley lakes undergo regular (and cyclic) changes in water levels mostly in response to precipitation, which is unreliable and unpredictable. In this region, lake Bogoria is the only alkaline lake that has minimal lake water fluctuations, and is used as a refuge for flamigos and other animals when other relatively shallow lakes dry out. Its surface
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#17327867935073068-446: The present shoreline. In 1991 the maximum length is 17.6 km (10.9 mi) and its width ranges from 0.5 km (0.31 mi) to 3.6 km (2.2 mi). The drainage basin is 700 km (270 sq mi) . The lowest point of the drainage divide is at 999 m near Loboi village; when the level of the lake reaches that altitude, its waters flow northward in lake Baringo drainage basin . In 1978 its maximum depth
3127-508: The rift valley boundary faults, to the east, and a small horst block, to the west. The river waters are slightly alkaline, cool, and have a low total alkalinity. The marshes are similar in their general water chemistry, but are slightly acidic and have a distinctly lower NO3 content. Short grasses are the dominant vegetation type and cattle graze the area. These lie near the Lake Bogoria National Reserve entrance, to
3186-595: The south of Nakuru , in the rift valley of Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park . The lake's abundance of algae used to attract a vast quantity of flamingos that famously lined the shore. Other birds also flourish in the area, as do warthogs , baboons and other large mammals . Eastern black rhinos and southern white rhinos have also been introduced. About 10,000 years ago, Lake Nakuru, together with neighboring Lake Elementaita and Lake Naivasha (60 km further south), formed one single, deep freshwater lake that eventually dried up, leaving
3245-432: The south of the Loboi swamp, and at the limit dividing faulted volcanic uplands and colluvial-alluvial sediments. They contain several types of habitats. Ashley et al. 2002 defined them as an 'Artesian Blister Wetland' (see Types of wetlands above), and that wetland also includes slightly acidic, nitrate enriched, warm springs. This is on the western shore of Lake Bogoria. It is composed of silts and gravels, and shows
3304-659: The three lakes as remnants. Water levels in Lake Nakuru have since varied considerably, with the lake almost drying up several times over the past 50 years. The latest significant drop happened in the early 1990s. In 2013, levels again increased rapidly, leading to the migration of many flamingos to Lake Bogoria in search of food supply. Between 2010 and 2020 Lake Nakuru increased in surface area from 40 to 68 square kilometres (15 to 26 sq mi). 677 households, parts of Nakuru town and some National Park areas had been flooded. Nakuru means "Dust or Dusty Place" in
3363-409: The tourism industry. The flamingos feed on algae , created from their droppings into the warm alkaline waters, and plankton . But flamingo are not the only avian attraction; also present are two large fish eating birds, pelicans and cormorants . Despite the tepid and alkaline waters, a diminutive fish, Alcolapia grahami has flourished after being introduced in the early 1960s. The lake
3422-419: Was one of the hottest years on record, but despite depressed rainfall in the short-rains season (October to December, or OND) it also saw a wetter than normal January and February because of the strong positive Indian Ocean Dipole index during that period, and enhanced rainfall during the long-rains season (March to May, or MAM) (that year, Lake Victoria rose to a new record level). However, evaporation rate
3481-475: Was recorded as 12 m (39 ft) or 11.5 m (38 ft), and Renaut & Owen 1991 precise that this was in the largest sub-basin or lobe; and that the two smaller parts at the north and south extremities were 5.5 m (18 ft) deep at that time. In 2003 its maximum depth is just over 10 m (33 ft) in an area of 3,000 ha (7,400 acres). This is relatively shallow, but nevertheless deeper — and therefore hydrologically more stable — than
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