Where is lake Bogoria located?
Lake Bogoria is located about 200 km northwest from Nairobi in Africa. It is one of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley Lakes. It is a remarkable natural wonder that captivates visitors with its unique wildlife, geology, and stunning scenery where millions of flamingos visit the lake throughout the whole year. It is a saline, alkaline lake that was formed due to volcanic activities and lies in a volcanic region that is south to Lake Baringo. This lake is also a Ramsar site which means it is assigned as an important source of wetland and is set to be protected.

Hot springs and geothermal activity
Lake Bogoria has about 200 hot springs and 10 geysers which are distributed across the length of the lake.
It is one of the many lakes that make up the Rift Valley’s detailed geological system. The lake is classified as a saline, alkaline body of water, resulting from volcanic activity that has shaped the Rift Valley over millions of years. This volcanic influence is evident in the lake’s high mineral composition, which creates a difficult environment where few plants and animals can survive, but those that do are uniquely adapted to these harsh conditions.
The geothermal activity in the region is evidence of the volcanic forces that have shaped the landscape. These hot springs are not only a visual wonder but also contribute to the lake’s unique chemical composition. Visitors can observe the steaming water and bubbling mud pools, a fascinating scene of nature’s power and complexity.

Flamingo’s Heaven
Due to the lake’s alkalinity, blue-green algae grows well, which in fact is flamingo’s favorite food!
Lake Bogoria is one of the premier destinations for flamingos in Africa. The lake’s high alkalinity and saline waters make it an ideal habitat for the lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor), which survives in such harsh conditions. The lake’s shores are often lined with thousands of these vibrant birds, creating a spectacular pink valley. Flamingos migrate to Lake Bogoria and they stay throughout the whole year making it a breath-taking view to tourists and visitors..
The lesser flamingos at Lake Bogoria feed on blue-green algae, which grow in the lake’s alkaline environment. These algae are rich in carotenoids, pigments that give flamingos their characteristic pink and orange feathers. Flamingos have specialized beaks adapted to filter-feed from the lake’s waters, allowing them to extract the algae very easily!

The presence of flamingos at Lake Bogoria is heavily influenced by seasonal migrations. While some flamingos are resident throughout the year, others travel from other parts of Africa in search of sustainable feeding conditions.
But sadly these lesser flamingos face many threats like heavy metal poisoning from many chemical factories, climate changes, habitat loss, water pollution and human activities. We need to change as soon as possible to save these delicate bird species, not only the lesser flamingos but also the whole biodiversity that lives by Lake Bogoria.
Conservation efforts are important to ensuring the ongoing health of the flamingo population at Lake Bogoria. The lake’s delicate ecosystem is threatened by factors such as climate change, water pollution, and human activities. Protecting the lake and its surrounding environment is essential for maintaining the flamingo population and the biodiversity of the lake!

Finally, as we continue to appreciate and protect Lake Bogoria, it is crucial to support conservation efforts that protect both the flamingos and the delicate ecosystem they inhabit. For anyone with a passion for wildlife and natural wonders, Lake Bogoria’s flamingos offer an unforgettable experience and a reminder of the beauty of our planet’s diverse ecosystems!

Lara Mihajlovikj 

Sources used:

https://www.kenyasafari.com/lake-bogoria.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Bogoria

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Phoeniconaias_minor/

Click to access ts34_ssap_lesser_flamingo.pdf