We sincerely thank our guest who visited Lake Baringo with us, for writing and sharing this story with Empakaai Cultural Safari.
A big place in my heart belongs to Kenya since I’ve visited this fascinating country with Empakaai Cultural Safari some months ago. And Lake Baringo is one special place that keeps stirring up my memories and does not let them become vague or even distant. It is as if I’m just back after having experienced a sharp sense of belonging there and always being expected there.
This feeling of knowing a place that I visit for the first time is one of the reasons why I am addicted to travelling. A moment when this feeling takes over usually gives mystical goose bumps, makes me think of soul reincarnation, previous lives and roots of my distant ancestors. It is a true gift. And Africa is always very generous in giving me these gifts of feeling welcome. I am very thankful to Kenya, especially for Lake Baringo, for many moments of warm welcomes.
Lake Baringo and its magnificent nature feel very peaceful and slow, but there is always something going on here, in the most delicate, natural, non-intrusive way. So even if your body is tired and your mind is preoccupied, it is guaranteed that you will come to peace here fully, just by observing and keeping your eyes and ears open. Just know with all your inner senses that you are welcome and accepted. The nature of Lake Baringo embraces you fully.
The road from the town of Nakuru to Lake Baringo was very bumpy and a harsh drive made me even more impatient to arrive. We stopped at Roberts Camp – a charming well organized place with a very good restaurant that surprised us with fresh food and cold beers. Their terrace is a perfect viewing ground for bird watching. When we arrived there was a British family of bird watchers sitting on the restaurant terrace, complete with various sets of binoculars, impressive knowledge of birds’ names and a local guide who sat shyly a bit behind. It crossed my mind that it is actually a perfect scene from a book of colonial stories.
Every time of day and night has got a special sound around Lake Baringo. Especially the night was fantastic. Its sounds made me think that walls and roof of my chalet disappeared. Suddenly all sounds became so close and intensive. The water level must have risen quite high, so I heard sounds of splashing water all around me. With sounds of water came sounds of hippos. And they brought those fantastic adrenaline-provoking wildlife-triggered shivers caused by a realization that there is only a thin wall between a loud wild animal and myself.
Lake Baringo opens up and shows its real strength and diversity when you are on water. You might even suddenly discover a passionate bird watcher within yourself! So make sure you take a boat ride: to watch many rare and beautiful birds, to see a sleeping crocodile from very close or to observe local ladies doing their laundry next to hippos showing only their head tops and nose tops. You will no doubt hear stories of many tribes who live around the lake and will see them crossing the lake in their boats.
And here is some practical advice about doing a trip to Lake Baringo:
Before departure, make sure you stock up on bottled water for consumption during your drive. This is a hot and dry area of the Great Rift Valley. If you started your drive in Nakuru, you will be crossing the equator.
The road condition will most probably be the worst you’ve experienced so far in Kenya. This means two things: 1) your trip might take longer than you expect just by checking the distance; and 2) if you are sensitive to sea sickness, consider hiring a better vehicle for this part, the one that can go over serious holes on the road without getting its passengers thrown from side to side.
With Empakaai Cultural Safari you can relax and let your guide take care of all logistics and necessities. I am so grateful to Moses for his hard work that created valuable space and time for me to enjoy the beauty of Lake Baringo.
Just drop him a line to empakaai.cultural.safari@gmail.com to book your own fascinating experience at Lake Baringo. And check his Instagram account empakaai_cultural_safari for more photos from our Lake Baringo trip!
