Rates & Info
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Rates, Information and Maps
Baringo National Reserve FeesPayable to local community at roadside barrier after turning off to Campi ya Samaki History
About Baringo
Baringo is a freshwater lake approximately 22 km (13.7 miles) long, by 11 km (6.8 miles) wide, with an area of 168 sq km (104 sq miles). It is situated in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley at an altitude of 1,050m (3,500 feet), but is surrounded by mountains rising to almost 300 m (984 ft) above the surrounding country. At the northern end of the Lake lies the dormant volcano Karosi. (1,449 m, 4,753 ft)
Baringo is home to hippos, crocodiles and an abundance of fish and birds, but not flamingos, as these feed on the algae found in soda lakes. Despite this, it is most famous as an ornithologist's paradise, with 450 (I can’t contradict the website earlier, or Samatian’s website, which say 450) bird species, many of which are extremely rare or only seen in this area. The climate is warm with an average of 35 degrees Centigrade (100 degrees Fahrenheit) most of the year. The average rainfall is only 640 mm (3.9 inches) all year round, most of which falls in May-July, with a little in November-December. There’s generally a welcome breeze blowing off the Lake in the evenings. The town on the western shore, Kampi ya Samaki (Kiswahili for "Fishing camp") has a population of a couple of hundred, and a basic variety of shops, a clinic, and a post office with internet facilities. 
Routes, Maps & TravelingMost visitors drive to Baringo from Nairobi: depending on the state of the road, this drive takes between three and a half and four hours. You will by-pass Nakuru town, continuing on the relatively good tarmac road for 110 km (68.2 miles) to Baringo, taking the right turn to Kampi ya Samaki village, turning right again before the village into Roberts’ Camp. For the more adventurous, or those coming from Laikipia, there is also a scenic, dirt road winding down to the northern end of the lake from Mugie Ranch on the Rumuritu-Maralal road (4 wheel-drive recommended). For those interested in exploring the area and traveling on roads less well used, we have listed a selection of routes from Roberts' Camp to various destinations. Please note that routes are subject to change, and information shown below is just a guideline. Information is also provided below regarding a selection of recommended campsites, 4x4 hire specialists, and air charter companies.
A saloon car in dry weather, otherwise a 4-wheel drive vehicle. You can do this journey in less time than it would take to follow the tarmac route to Solai, Nakuru and then North again and it is a really spectacular drive. Follow the instructions carefully – the maps do not quite coincide with the reality! To reach Nyahururu from Nairobi take the first Gilgil turnoff right shortly after the toll bridge on the Naivasha-Nakuru Road. Follow this road into Gilgil, turn right at the Caltex garage and from there it’s straight on to Nyahururu. (About 1 hour) From Nayahururu, leave Thompson’s Falls Lodge behind you on your right and take the next right turn (c51 northwards to Rumuruti) After about 9 kms you see a sign to Kimbamba pointing left along a good tarmac road, which you follow. The tarmac continues. About 24 kms later look out for another left turn on to a dirt road, this time for Ol Arabal. Take this. You now leave the tarmac and begin a slow, very spectacular 5,000-foot descent from the Laikipia plateau to the plains between Lakes Bogoria and Lake Baringo. After 17 kms you will pass through Muchongoi town, and 37 kms after that you will be nearing Marigat heading in a westerly direction on the plain North of Bogoria and South of Baringo. There is a left turn-off at this point that will take you to Bogoria, approximately 26 kms. Turn right onto the main tarmac road and follow the road to a T-junction. Turn right and this leads you into Marigat town. After passing through Marigat you will meet the main Nakuru-Baringo road (the B4) at a T-junction. Turn right and after 16ks you will see the turnoff to Lake Baringo on your right.
A saloon car in dry weather, otherwise a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Turn left outside Roberts Camp and go to the junction of Nakuru - Loruk road. Alternatively to return to Baringo on tarmac via Marigat go right. Remember to look out for other tyre tracks, as the route may change slightly depending on the weather. It also helps to remember you’re heading generally in a south-easterly direction.
From Baringo to Samburu along the Loruk Road - Time: Approximately 5 hours 4-wheel drive vehicle recommended, take a good map, spare tyres and lots of water. Mobile network is poor.  This is a terrific drive and can be completed in about 5 hours. There is very little traffic and the scenery is superb. The impeccably dressed Samburu warriors encountered on the road are also a magnificent sight. The map reprinted above is quite accurate. Go to Loruk about 12 kms north of Kampi ya Samaki, and take a right turn along a gravel road towards the Police Post. Follow the road west through Tangulbei until you meet a T-junction – right to Rumuruti or left to Maralal. Take the left and go in a northwesterly direction for a good 50 kms until you meet the C78 at another T-junction. At this point go right in the direction of Wamba. After traveling about 110 kms, before you actually get to Wamba there is a turn right towards Isiolo, which you take. This road after about 50-60 kms meets the A2 about 30 kms north of Archers Post. Turn right here.
LOMUT – a Pokot Village 100 kms north west of Lake Baringo and within a day’s drive by 4x4 (4-wheel-drive) and poor mobile signal. Take lots of water and spare tyres. At Lomut is a traditional Pokot village built and managed by local people. You can stay here full board (2,400 ksh per person) and enjoy traditional food, or come self-catering. The bandas are spacious, clean and the local people are very friendly and helpful. Lomut is a perfect place for hill walking, and the Saturday market frequented by people from miles around is a great spectacle. Directions From Roberts Camp, go north through the village of Loruk to Nginyang (45 kms.) 5 kms after Nginyang there is a turnoff right to Karpeddo, which you do not take. The next village is Chemolingot (55ks) – go straight through. You will soon come to mountainous territory and go over the Kito Pass. You will come to a village called Kolowa (85 kms.) Don’t take the right turn down to the village itself but continue on for another couple of kms, until you see a turn-off to the right. Take this, and continue on to Tot. (95ks.) You come in to the village of Tot from the West, and you turn right when you meet the main road. You will arrive at Lomut at 112 kms. You can go back the same way, but a slightly longer route, though one which includes about 50 kms of tarred road is as follows: return to Tot from Lomut. (17ks) Instead of turning left at Tot to Kolowa, keep going straight (south) through Tot for a further 125 kms until you come to the main (tarred) Kabarnet – Eldoret Road. (142 kms) Turn left here, and climb 30 kms to Kabarnet. Go through Kabarnet and take the right (main) exit road to Marigat. Go through Marigat and after 16 kms you will come to the right turn, leading down to Roberts Camp, Lake Baringo. (216 kms)
 Nairobi Nanyuki / Northern KenyaRift ValleyClaire Jones - Kulal Enterprises, Naivasha Peter White - P.W.FLYING SERVICES LTD
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In the 1950’s, David Roberts (Caroline’s grandfather), a crocodile shooter for the Dragon Tanning Company, set up home on the lakeshore, together with his wife Betty. They started up a fish factory and built Fish Eagle Camp for tourists. David Roberts died in 1966, but Betty stayed on with her six children. Caroline’s father, Willie, was one of three friends who started up Island camp on Baringo’s Ol Kokwe Island, as well as creating Samatian Island’s idyllic lodge. Meanwhile the old Fish Eagle Camp is today’s Lake Baringo Club, while Betty still lives in her home beside Roberts’ Camp.
FROM Nyahururu TO Lake Baringo along “the Pyramid Road” - Time: 2.5 hours
FROM Baringo TO Lake Bogoria OFF ROAD ROUTE - Time: 1.5 hours 
FROM Lake Baringo TO Lomut - Time: 'Within a day' - variable depending on road conditions.THe Kito Pass is extreamly rough and slow.