Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary
Lake Elementaita basin has one of the oldest archeological sites belonging to the Oldowan period with stone tools dating to 700,000 years ago found at Kariandusi. The Obsidian mines at the Eburru Mountains are evidence of Obsidian trade dating over 3000 years ago. Subsequently the region was occupied by pastoral Neolithic, later the Maasai pastoral community who called it “Elementaita”. During the colonial occupation, the whole area between Elementaita and Naivasha was taken over and used for livestock and wildlife ranching by Lord Delamere.
The area around Lake Elementaita was designated an Important Bird Area (IBA), a site of global significance for bird and biodiversity conservation, in 1999. The lake was designated a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance) in 2005. It was gazetted as a National Wildlife Sanctuary in 2010 and listed together with Lakes Nakuru and Bogoria as the Kenya Lakes System in the Great Rift Valley World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011.
By Road: LEWS is approximately 120km north of Nairobi, 40km north of Naivasha and 45km south of Nakuru. It is accessed by the Trans-African Highway (A104). The nearest administrative town is Gilgil within Nakuru County
By Air: The nearest airstrip are Nakuru (Lanet) and Soysambu Airstrip
lake elementaita wildlife sanctuary |
Citizen |
Resident |
Non-Resident |
|||
|
Adults KSH |
Child KSH |
Adult KSH |
Child KSH |
Adult USD |
Child
|
|
| 215 | 125 |
215 |
125 |
22 |
13 |
|
MODE OF PAYMENT: Through Ecitizen (https://kws.ecitizen.go.ke/ ) via MPesa, Visa Card, RTGS ,Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Security/Guided tour per guide:
• Ksh. 1,720 – up to 4 hours
• Ksh. 3,015 – Over 4 hours
Vehicle Charges per day
No. of Seats
• Less than 6 seats - KSH.300
• 6-12 seats - KSH.1,030
• 13-24seats - KSH.2,585
• 25-44 seats - KSH.4,050
• 45 seats and above - KSH.5,000
Lake Elementaita is an important natural habitat for in-situ conservation of biological diversity including globally and regionally threatened species of outstanding universal value. It consistently holds internationally important populations of Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Great White Pelican, African Spoonbill, Pied Avocet as well as other water bird species that occur in smaller populations.
The terrestrial habitats support the conservation of herbivores such as the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe as well as Elands, Buffaloes, Common Zebras, Impalas, Reedbuck, bushbuck and Colobus monkeys. Carnivores are represented by Lions, Leopards, hyenas and jackals. The endemic Kenyan Horned Viper (Bitis worthingtonii) is also found here. Most of these wildlife are found in Soysambu conservancy side. Birding: Lake Elementaita supports one of the major breeding colonies of the Great White Pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) in the world and is the only place in Kenya where Pelicans breed. Up to 8,000 pairs of Great White Pelican have bred there when the water levels are high and the rocky outcrops in the eastern sector are flooded to form islets on which the birds can safely nest.
Hot springs: The park has permanent hot water springs that act as the breeding area for tilapia which are preyed on by the pelicans.
Hiking on several hills within the sanctuary and shoreline walks along the lake.
The sanctuary doesn’t offer KWS self-catering accommodation. Visitors intending to stay overnight can opt to camp or select from a wide array of accommodation options in Elementaita Area.
Camping:
Special Campsite
Pelican Special Campsite near Pelican Gate and Maji Moto Special Campsite near Maji Moto Gate.
Being special campsites, only the camping grounds are provided. The visitor has to reserve the campsite well in advance for exclusive use. Visitors are required to bring with them personal effects, drinking water, source of fire and kitchen utensils. Most special campsites are located near water sources in the park unless otherwise indicated.
*Prevailing camping rates apply per person per day including other park charges.
Toll Free Number : 0800597000
WhatsApp Number : +254 726610509
