L. Baringo the 129 sq km is the traditional home of the Njemps tribe, a unique people who are the only pastoral, cattle herding, tribe who also fish. Among other pastoral tribes such as the Maasai, eating fish is a taboo.
The lake itself is truly beautiful, surrounded by volcanic ranges that stretch as far as the eye can see.
The Ol Kokwe Island, a stark rocky island that is home to Njemps villages and a well appointed camp an excellent base for exploring the lake, with boat trips ideal for bird and hippo spotting. This lake is known for its brown waters, and is also famous for its populations of Hippos, bird species and for the irrigation schemes around the lake like the Pekerra Irrigation Scheme that is known for production of onions, water melons and much more and afterwards drive to Kabarnet and on to the Keiyo valley and Keiyo River to have a look at the gorgeous sceneries.
The lake is fed by two rivers, El Molo and Ol Arabel and has no obvious outlet.
L. Baringo is very unique, it is in fact slightly saline, but not enough to bother the crocodiless, hippos or people who swim in it despite this it's is one of only two freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. More than 470 species have been recorded there in total, and more than 300 have been recorded in a single day. A recent bird census, carried out in two three hour spells on consecutive days recorded just over 280 species in the 6 hours, and that was outside the main periods for northern or southern migrants. Birds that can be seen here include Gabar Goshawks, Pelicans, Cormorants, Fish Eagle, Goliath Heron, Jackson's Hornbill, Pale and dark phase Gabar Goshawk, Paradise Flycatcher, African Fish Eagles, Marabou Storks, Shikra and White-faced Scops Owl , Hemprich's Hornbill, African Darter, and occasionally the African Skimmer.
Some rare birds like the Vereaux’s Eagle can be seen spotting the rock hyaxes, Heuglin's or Three-banded courser which is not common but can be traced and if you are lucky enough you can see the Lichtenstein's Sand-grouse and the spotted thick-knee.
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