Baringo County
Lake Baringo
Source: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (opens in a new tab) · checked 1 Nov 2026
About Lake Baringo
A freshwater lake in the eastern arm of the Great Rift Valley, listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, with nearly 500 bird species recorded.
Source: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (opens in a new tab) · checked 1 Nov 2026
Highlights
- Nearly 500 bird species, including migratory waterbirds
- Hippos and Nile crocodiles
- Small islands in the lake
- A Ramsar site since 2002
Source: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (opens in a new tab) · checked 1 Nov 2026
Suggested time
At least 1 day
KenyaPlus editorial guidance for a comfortable visit, not an official rule.
Confirm before booking
- Boat trips on the lake: who runs them, their safety equipment and the price
- Road conditions from Nakuru or Marigat, especially after rain
- Where to stay — KenyaPlus holds no accommodation details
KenyaPlus does not yet hold verified data for these.
When to go
Rain affects travel in Kenya, especially on unpaved roads. Here is the yearly pattern and the current forecast for Lake Baringo, both from the Kenya Meteorological Department.
- January: between the rains.
- February: between the rains.
- March: long rains.
- April: long rains, expected peak.
- May: long rains.
- June: between the rains.
- July: between the rains.
- August: between the rains.
- September: between the rains.
- October: short rains.
- November: short rains.
- December: short rains.
- Long rains
- Short rains
- Between the rains
- Expected peak (2026 outlook)
A summary of Kenya's national rainfall pattern from the Kenya Meteorological Department: long rains March to May (with the peak in April inland and May on the coast, as KMD expected for 2026) and short rains October to December. Other months are shown as between the rains. Rain varies by year and place, and between-the-rains months can still be wet.
Forecast: October–December 2026
For Baringo County, the Kenya Meteorological Department expects above-average rainfall in October–December 2026, with rains already falling from September and continuing into January.
Source: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
A seasonal forecast, not a guarantee. KMD also issues monthly and weekly updates.
Kenya's rainy seasons
March to May is the main rainfall season — the “long rains” — over most parts of Kenya.
Information status: VerifiedSources: Kenya Meteorological Department: Climate outlook for the 'Long Rains' (March–May) 2026 season (KMD/FCST/01-2026/SO/01) (opens in a new tab); Kenya Meteorological Department: Climate outlook for the 'Long Rains' (March–May) 2025 season (KMD/FCST/01-2025/SO/01) (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
For the 2026 long rains, the Kenya Meteorological Department expected the peak in April over most regions, and in May along the coast.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
October to December brings the “short rains”, a major rainfall season in Kenya.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
More in our guide: Best time to visit Kenya.
Where next from Lake Baringo
Close by
Photo: Arthur Buliva · CC BY-SA 3.0 · original
Cropped from a panorama to 1,920 × 1,080 px and metadata removed. All photo credits
Lake Bogoriaabout 1 h by road (estimate)
Photo: Syllabub · CC BY-SA 3.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
Lake Nakuruabout 2½ h by road (estimate)
Photo: Lengai101 · CC BY 3.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
Ol Pejeta Conservancyabout 3 h by road (estimate)
If you like Lake Baringo
Photo: Bett Duncan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
NaivashaAlso good for lakes, wildlife
Photo: Matteo Frigo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
Aberdare National ParkAlso good for wildlife
Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
Kakamega ForestAlso good for wildlife
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Thinking of visiting Lake Baringo?
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Sources
- Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (opens in a new tab) — Lake Baringo — Ramsar Sites Information Service (site no. 1159) (checked 1 Nov 2026)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us — we check corrections against the source before changing anything.