Rift Valley Soda Lake
Central Highlands & Rift Valley, Kenya
Lake Elementeita is a small (18 sq km) soda lake, nestled in the eastern sweep of the Great Rift Valley. The Lake is surrounded by spectacular country that played an important role in the early colonial history of Kenya. This was the estate and stronghold of Lord Delamere, the builder of the Kenya colony.
Today Elementeita is a peaceful and low-key place, lying in the shadow of an impressively peaked hill known locally known as the ‘Sleeping Maasai’. The lake attracts many visiting flamingo, and its shores are grazed by zebra, gazelle, eland and families of warthog. The lake and its surrounding forests are perfect for long walks and birding.
Background
Excavations at the Kariandusi Prehistorical site near Elementeita suggest that this has been an area of human habitation for more than 200,000 years. Like nearby Naivasha, this area is traditionally Maasai land.
In 1908 this area was settled by Lord Delamere, who was considered by the British to be one of the principle architects of the Kenyan colony. He was certainly the driving force behind the settlement of this area, and after acquiring large tracts of land from Soysambu north to Nakuru, he campaigned for the land to be offered free to British settlers. Soon adventurous farmers, mostly from his home territory of Lancashire, were arriving by Ox wagon to stake their claims.
Dairy farming proved to be very successful, and today Delamere's family still runs the large scale dairy that bears his name. When he died he was buried alongside his wife at Ndabibi, in a position with a commanding view of the surrounding plains and hills.
Relaxing
The local Maasai population makes this a good place for buying Maasai handicrafts. An excellent buy is the shukka, which is the blanket seen worn by most Maasai, always red blended with black, blue or other colours. They are warm and functional blankets, ideal for the chill of early mornings on safari.