Jungle Roar Safaris – Kenya Safaris & Private Tours
Private Tours with Local Experts
Jungle Roar Safaris – Kenya Safaris & Private Tours
Private Tours with Local Experts
Lake Baringo is a freshwater lake in Kenya. Located in the Great Rift Valley, it lies in Baringo County in the central part of the country and stretches from the Tugen Hills in the west to the Laikipia Escarpment in the east.
The name Baringo derives from the local Tugen language, meaning “lake” or referring to the surrounding area. The lake is often referred to by visitors and researchers as a critical freshwater ecosystem in reference to its ecological significance. Lake Baringo is part of the Rift Valley lake system, consisting of several important water bodies. The main lake covers approximately 130 square kilometres, though this fluctuates seasonally, which makes up the primary water feature in this arid region. The county is divided into several administrative areas, with Baringo County being part of the former Rift Valley Province. The population of the surrounding area is estimated at several hundred thousand. The Ilchamus, Tugen, and Pokot communities make up the majority of the local population. Approximately 20,000 people live in Cabaret, the capital of Baringo County.
Archaeological research indicates that the Lake Baringo area was inhabited as early as prehistoric times, with fossil discoveries nearby. The first written mention of the lake is in European explorer accounts from the 19th century. Influence from various communities, mainly pastoralist groups, followed by periods of environmental change, particularly regarding water levels, has characterized Lake Baringo’s history.
