Lake Bogoria National Reserve

This small reserve can only be visited as a day trip and is on few tourist itineraries. There is only one road through which needs to be backtracked to leave. Most of the reserve consists of a large, algae-rich lake usually inhabited by big flocks of flamingos. Aside from birds, there is very little wildlife.

Pros & Cons

Stunning scenery in the Rift Valley

Excellent birding with flocks of flamingo

Less visited reserve

Wildlife sightings are rare

Only one road to explore the shore of the lake

No accommodation inside the park

Unfortunately, overgrazing due to livestock encroachment is a big problem in the reserve, and there is very little wildlife to be seen. However, the birding is great and the real draw is the flamingos. Leopard tortoises are quite numerous. Mammals sometimes encountered are impala, dik-dik, zebra, Grant's gazelle and warthog.

The reserve is home to one of Kenya’s last remaining populations of greater kudu. Although present, these magnificent antelope are very shy and you need to be lucky to see them. Dusk and dawn are the best times for a chance encounter.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Lake Bogoria can be visited throughout the year. The flamingos are mostly present, but their numbers vary greatly. When water levels are too high or low, the flamingos can't feed, and move away – the timing of this isn’t predictable.

Wildlife Viewing

There are no safety issues with wildlife viewing in Lake Bogoria National Reserve. There are almost no dangerous animals in the reserve. There are some buffalo but they are rarely, if ever, seen. The main attraction is the flocks of flamingos that feed in the shallow waters. If you’re lucky, you might see some antelopes as well.

Further advice on limiting dangers and annoyances when traveling:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

• General Travel Safety Precautions

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

• Safety & Security – Kenya

• Malaria & Vaccinations – Kenya

Lake Bogoria National Reserve has more than 350 birds on its list, but the main attraction is an estimated two million lesser flamingos which flock in the shallow waters feeding on algae. Mixed in are many greater flamingos as well. Lake Bogoria is one of the best places in Kenya to see large flocks of these birds. Plenty of other waterbirds are easy to spot, and the call of a fish eagle is never far off.

Birding Specials–Treats for Avid Birders

Best Time for Bird Watching

Lake Bogoria is a good bird-watching destination at any time of the year, but the best time is from November to April – during these months the migrants from Europe and north Africa are present. This coincides with the breeding season when many species are nesting. Although good for birding, April tends to be very wet and isn’t recommended for general wildlife viewing.

Lake Bogoria is not a conventional safari destination. The best time to visit is when there are lots of flamingos, but this is unpredictable. At most times of the year though, there are usually a good number of flamingos, which makes it worthwhile visiting at any time of the year.

Best Time June to February (Little rain)

High Season Never (Bogoria never gets crowded)

Low Season Never (Bogoria is very little visited)

Best Weather September to March (Little rainfall)

Worst Weather April to August (Wettest months)

September to February –Dry Season

It is sunny and dry
Flamingos are usually present
There tends to be dust in the sky and the scenery isn’t as clear

March to August –Wet Season

Skies are clear of dust and the reserve is green
Flamingos are usually present
Bird watching is excellent and migratory birds are present
April can be very wet and rain might interfere with your game drive
Scenery looks drab in overcast weather

Being close to the equator, temperatures are quite uniform throughout the year at Lake Bogoria. Daytime temperatures are in the upper twenties, while it cools off considerably at night. Along the lakeshore, temperatures are higher than on the top of the escarpment. The area isn’t very wet, but there is some rain throughout the year.

Dry season–September to February

The weather is very pleasant. Days are usually sunny and dry. The ‘short rains’ experienced in November in most of the country aren’t very pronounced here. January and February are very dry.

September, October, November & December – It is mostly sunny, but it does rain occasionally. Afternoons are pleasant with temperatures reaching 28°C/82°F, but evenings and early mornings are cold at around 11°C/52°F.
January & February – These are the driest and warmest months before the rains. Temperatures reach up to 30°C/86°F and higher. Early mornings stay chilly with temperatures around 11°C/52°F.

Wet season–March to August

It doesn’t rain a lot, but afternoon showers can be expected on some days. The heat breaks when it rains, and then it builds again until the next shower. Afternoon temperatures are around 28°C/82°F. April is the wettest month.

March – The rain might start in March or April. March seldom sees a lot of rain though. Afternoon temperatures are around 30°C/86°F.
April & May – These are the wettest months, but it seldom rains all day on continuous days.
June, July & August – June is drier, but the rain picks up again in July and August. July is the coolest month with afternoon temperatures reaching 26°C/79°F.

Lake Bogoria is located 250km/155mi from Nairobi. Bogoria is mostly visited as a side trip from Nakuru. The lake is more frequently visited now, because many of the flamingos that left Lake Nakuru, due to unsuitable conditions, made Bogoria their new home. You can either join a safari in Nairobi or rent a car and visit Lake Bogoria independently.

The southern entrance to the reserve is located 38km/23mi north of Nakuru – a 4WD is essential. The sealed road from Nakuru to the northern entrance is 150km/93mi.

Most visitors to Kenya come through Nairobi, which is one of the largest transport hubs on the continent. International flights arrive in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 15km/9mi southeast of Nairobi.

Please check Skyscanner, or for multiple-destination flights check Expedia, to see which airlines can take you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), and what tickets would cost.

There are no domestic flights to Lake Bogoria or Lake Nakuru. Charter flights between reserves are typically organized by your tour operator.

Please check our Getting There – Kenya page to learn more about passport, visa and other entry requirements

Safety

In our opinion, Lake Bogoria National Reserve is very safe to visit, especially on a guided tour. As there is no accommodation in the reserve aside from a campsite, most people visit on a daytrip. There are incidences of petty theft in the cities, so normal safety precautions are recommended when visiting urban centers. See ‘Cities & Other Urban Areas: Safety Precautions’ below for more information. The majority of travelers in Kenya have no crime-related issues during their trip.

Before coming to Kenya you will most likely require several vaccinations. Lake Bogoria is a shallow soda lake in the Rift Valley and malaria is present here. Taking antimalarial medication is recommended, and to minimize the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, the use of repellent (those containing DEET are most effective) and covering up at dusk is advisable.

In our opinion, Kenya is generally safe to visit. The tourist industry is very established and visitors are very well looked after. Several governments have advised against traveling to some cities and remote border areas, but tour operators will only take you to places that are considered safe. For more info on these travel warnings, see the advisory links below. There is crime in big cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa, but most issues can be avoided by following basic safety precautions. More than a million tourists visit Kenya every year, and the vast majority of visits are trouble-free.

Below are tips on staying safe in Kenya.

Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities

Your safari guides will ensure your safety at all times – all you have to do is follow their instructions and always keep your distance from wild animals. When on a self-drive safari, only leave your car where it has been designated as safe to do so. For additional tips:

Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

Staying Safe in Cities and Towns

As is the case all over the world, big cities tend to be crime hotspots. Although most issues are minor, such as petty theft and pickpocketing, some areas of Nairobi and Mombasa are best avoided unless on guided activities. When venturing out in the city, you should follow a few simple safety precautions: seek advice from your hotel before heading out; don’t wear valuables and only take the money you need with you; don’t walk after dark, rather take a taxi. For more safety tips that apply to African cities in general:

Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

Other Tips on Staying Safe

Please read the pages below regarding malaria and vaccination information for Kenya and general travel safety precautions.

Kenya: Malaria & Vaccinations

General Travel Safety Precautions

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe in our opinion. A professional guide will ensure your safety on a guided safari. Self-drive safaris are safe as well, as long as you treat animals with respect and follow all park rules. It is extremely rare for incidents to occur. Below are some general safety guidelines and tips.

Always follow your guide’s instructions and guidelines
Always keep your voice down when close to animals
Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out
Don't stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof
Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari and back off if the animals seem disturbed
Don’t drive between elephants in a herd, especially females and their young
Stay together as a group close to your guide on a walking safari and always walk in single file
Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack
Never walk between a hippo and water; it may panic and charge because its safety route to the water is blocked
Never leave food in your tent; it will attract wildlife
Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes
Wear a hat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water
Don't wear bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume – especially on walking safaris
In tsetse-fly areas it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing – such as black or dark blue – since it attracts these stinging flies
Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles

African safaris are generally safe in our opinion. Especially if your visit is primarily an organized tour. Your tour operator and guide will ensure your safety at all times. Self-drive safaris are generally safe as well, but it is recommended to seek advice about the safety of the areas you intend to visit. Below are some general safety tips:

Buy good travel and health insurance
Check the passport and visa requirements for your destination
Get all the required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and insect repellent (those containing DEET are most effective)
Lock all your travel bags and keep all valuables in your hand luggage
Make duplicates of important travel documents or keep copies online
Bring appropriate clothing to protect against the sun, mosquitoes and to stay warm on open vehicle game drives
Check luggage restrictions on all your flights (including domestic flights)
Don't drive at night
Put your valuables in the safety deposit box of the hotel
Always be polite and respectful to police officers and military personnel. In the rare instance that you might get asked for a bribe (on a self-drive safari only), a light attitude and a joke might well get you off the hook.

Travel in Africa is generally safe in our opinion. Especially if on an organized tour or safari. However, as is the case all over the world, there is an increased risk of crime in large cities and urban areas. Visitors on guided activities are mostly shielded from these risks and their guide will ensure their safety. When unguided, normal safety precautions and common sense should keep you safe. Below are some general tips:

Ask at your hotel if it is safe to walk around the local area; when new in a place it’s always good to seek local advice on safety issues
Don’t wear jewelry when walking in cities and leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
Avoid walking alone in a large, unfamiliar city
Don’t walk around at night; take a taxi
Avoid getting engaged with people approaching you in the street
Be careful when drawing money from an ATM; go elsewhere if you suspect people hanging around
Always lock your car doors and close windows when driving in busy towns
Never leave a car unattended with valuables or luggage visible