The 7 magical islands of Lake Baringo

Rothschild Giraffes at Longcharo Island in Lake Baringo [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Beauty and splendour served in magical paradise bring to life the intriguing features of islands nestled in Lake Baringo.

Lake Baringo is one of the two freshwater lakes in the great rift that hosts rare magical gems right within it.  It is here that seven magnificent, lush green islands tower, spewing unsullied splendour. It is here within the islands that little-known hot springs spurt to life, that locals row into the lake to fish and back home in the island. It is within here that chirping sounds of crickets can lull visitors in the exotic hotels and camps that generously offer the lavishness in isolation.

Still, it is only in one of Lake Baringo’s grandiose islands that endangered Rothschild giraffes roam an island of their own, strutting and towering menacingly to nature’s generous beauty.

“It is only in these islands that you can step out at night to the pristine views that make Kenya magical. The sweeping features make Lake Baringo a gem, that however remain little known but describe the epitome of Africa,” Perrie Hennesy, director of Island Camp Lake Baringo said.

And in those magical travels, we set out to tour the scenic views strapped on Lake Baringo Conservation area and explore the little-known gems.

Our first stop, just along the shores of the Lake is a snake park, the only snake park outside the National museums. According to a curator at the facility Willy Limo, the over 10 species of snakes being showcased is part of raising the awareness within the county that records high cases of snake bites in the region.

From the venomous carpet viper, Sand poa, Black mamba to deadly puff udder spitting cobra and the non-venomous red-spotted beaked snake, the facility serves as an education centre.

“Here, tourists get to see the different species of snakes within this region. They are sensitized on how to deal with snake bites, and also to learn about venomous and non-venomous snakes and also their behaviour,” Mr Limo said.

From gathering loads of information from snake park, the next stop was at Soi Safari Lodge on the shores of Lake Baringo. Here, a quick-fix breakfast went a long way ahead of the 45-minute expedition on a motorboat to Samatian Island and a day-long expedition to the seven islands. Soi-Safari lodge is a tip of excellence, also ushering in visitors to the entire expedition circuit deep into the farthest island.

A Rothschild Giraffe stranded at Longcharo Island in Lake Baringo [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

“The gems that make Lake Baringo builds is magical. From over 450 birds species to the islands, to the endangered giraffes in the islands and even creative tourism industry, one can never get enough,” Mr David Ruto, an assistant manager at the hotel said.

The boat ride expedition is nothing less of blissful as the boat soared far deep into the horizon. Here, the sound of motorboat only disrupts the natural calmness. Savouring the therapeutic breeze in the vast mass is breathe-taking, watching the islands draw nearer is even more magical. The striking rays beautifully massaging the epitomes of beauty drives the curiosity to land.

According to Jackson Komen, the seven islands including Ol-Kokwe, Samatian, Devil’s Island, Longcharo, Lekorosi, Lempakany and Island Camp are all exclusive, each having its own unique features.

At the entry of Samatian Island, a floating restaurant straps freely by the vast mass of water as cormorant birds sunbathe by the decades-old stumps of trees. They look all graceful as if ushering visitors.

Here, all spell isolation but a touch of grandiose radiates by the docking zone. The island boasts a single hotel, Samatian island lodge that exudes modesty in the most natural and well-tented areas. The poles supporting the roofs are those sourced and used as natural as they are. The beds are swanky and spacious in the lone lodge. On the highest peak of the island, is a watchtower, a perfect spot to watch the sun fading far into the horizon of the vast lake. A quick peek into Samatian Island and we are off to Longcharo Island, the home of 7 Rothchild giraffes, also known as Baringo giraffes.

The voyage through to Longcharo takes barely 30 minutes. The island, as its story goes, separated from the mainland in 2010. The spot used to be giraffes favourite point and by the time the lake burst its banks and separated the island from the mainland, leaving the only Rothschild species in the county stranded in the island.

“The giraffes could not go back because the lake had swelled and separated the island from the mainland where they use to roam. By then, the giraffes numbered ten in number but others died as a result of diseases and adaptation challenges because the island is a bit hilly, which they are not used to,” Mr Komen said.

The giraffes have since adapted and the youngest addition is currently five months old. Here, visitors get rare chances of feeding the giraffes on pellets which they are supplied with by the wildlife wardens who keep watch on the species around the clock. Longcharo island has since remained iconic as the only island which Baringo giraffes own.

Besides giraffes, grunting hippopotamuses and over 450 chirping bird species never disappoint.  

From Longcharo, our itinerary points back to Island Camp, a lone island that hosts Island camp hotel and lodge, a 30 minutes’ boat ride away. Here, lavish climbing plants hangs pleasantly off age-old trees creating magnificent yet natural views of a well-conserved island. Tucked in the precincts of the rich natural environment, here chirping birds make the day and beautiful flowers thrown in pops colour to the already lush scenery. Visitors can opt to spend a night away watching the waves rise and fall, fishermen casting nets and crocodiles yawning by the shores.

Island Camp at Ol Kokwe Island in Lake Baringo [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

And if you never knew that lake Baringo has little hot secrets, just as Lake Bogoria, you can sneak-peek at Ol Kokwe Island, one of the largest inhabited islands with close to 1,000 people living in it. Here, the ‘hot secrets’ lie in the bubbling hot springs where one can boil an egg. The jetting springs, are part of the geological phenomena in the rift, which Mr Komen says, has opened ideas for a geopark. Locals living in Ol Kokwo often cash through selling curious by the hot springs on its shores.

Hot springs at Ol Kokwe Island in Lake Baringo [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Close by to Ol Kokwe, is the Devil’s Island- a name locals coined by its tedious nature to access it.

“It is accessible but one cannot easily access that is why it is called the Devil’s Island,” Komen said.

Lekorosi island and Lampakany islands also make perfect spots to visit, serving nature’s best in its rawest form.

The Devil's Island in Lake Baringo [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

And as the waves slowly built, we wrapped up our journey in a rather rough yet exciting ride back to Tumbili Cliff lodge, a hotel perched on the shores of the mainland facing the islands. At Tumbili Cliff, one gets to savour the feel of an exhausting day curling by the luscious seats to watch and playback the day’s activities. The rooms, just like Soi Safari lodge, are great, giving an excellent view of the lake. At Tumbili, one can sit by the window of the top floor and watch the sun setting. Here, one can also wait for the nightfall to watch the universe in one of the latest technologies known as Celestron 14.

“The newest technology to watch the universe is great. Visitors can spend an entire night practically studying the universe from the shooting stars, to the planets, the milky way and all that is in the sky. At night, the views are very clear,” Mr Titus Chepkangor, Tumbili Cliff manager says.

Visitors can opt to lull the night away watching the milky way, the shooting stars, the planets, the moon plus the entire solar system in a single night in one of those rare technologies that bring tourists across the world trooping by just to experience a feel under the African moon.