Weather and Climate of Lake Bogoria National Reserve
Weather and Climate of Lake Bogoria National Reserve: Lake Bogoria National Reserve is located within the Great Rift Valley- Kenya, covering Lake Bogoria and the land immediately surrounding the lake. The lake lies in a trough below the Ngendelel Escarpment a sheer wall 600 metres (2,000 ft) high. The lake covers 32 square kilometers and 107 square kilometers of the entire area. The national reserve is managed by the Kenya wildlife service. The park was established in 1970.
More so, this reserve is in a semi-arid area. The only major river feeding the lake is the Waseges River, which rises on the northern slopes of the Aberdare Range.
Lake Bogoria National Reserve is famous for its Flamingo population. Besides the flamingos, Lake Bogoria National Reserve is home to leopard, klipspringer, and caracal as well as the wonderful greater kudu in fact, it’s one of the best places in Kenya to see this mighty animal with its splendid, spiraling horns. The greater kudu favors the isolated and wooded southern reaches of the park, where a wealth of other species can also be found.
Additionally, Bogoria National Reserve is located near the equator, which means the temperatures stay pretty steady all year round. During the day, it usually feels warm, ranging from the mid-twenties Celsius (low to mid-eighties Fahrenheit), but it can get quite cool at night. Along the lake’s edge, it’s warmer compared to the higher areas nearby. While it’s not a very rainy place, there is some rainfall scattered throughout the year.
Dry Season–September to February
The weather is nice here, with plenty of sunny and dry days. Although many places get some short rain in November, it isn’t noticeable in this area. January and February are particularly dry months.
- September, October, November and December
During September, October, November, and December, the weather is generally nice and sunny, though there are a few rainy days here and there. In the afternoons, it feels quite comfortable, with temperatures climbing to about 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit). In the evenings and early mornings, the air is gentle, with temperatures around 17 degrees Celsius (63 degrees Fahrenheit).
- January and February
January and February are the warmest and driest months before the rainy season starts. During this time, the temperatures can climb to about 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) or even higher. In the early mornings, you can expect it to be around 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit).
Wet Season–March to August
Lake Bogoria National Reserve doesn’t get a lot of rain, but you can expect some afternoon showers from time to time. When it does rain, the heat eases off for a bit, but soon the warmth returns until the next rain. During the afternoons, temperatures usually hover around 29 degrees Celsius, or about 84 degrees Fahrenheit. April tends to be the month with the most rain.
- March
Lake Bogoria National Reserve usually starts to see some rain in March or April, but March typically isn’t very wet. During this time, the afternoons can get pretty warm, with temperatures around 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit).
- April and May
April and May are the peak rainy months at Lake Bogoria National Reserve, but it usually doesn’t rain all day, every day.
- June, July and August
Lake Bogoria National Reserve experiences a mix of weather in June, July, and August. June tends to be drier, while rain starts to increase in July and August. During this time, the temperatures are usually mild, and you might find it a bit cooler compared to the previous months. On average, you can expect afternoon temperatures to be around 28 degrees Celsius, which is about 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to get to Lake Bogoria National Reserve
To reach Lake Bogoria National Reserve, you’ll need to travel about 250 kilometers (or 155 miles) from Nairobi, which usually takes around 5 hours. Many people choose to visit Lake Bogoria as a quick side trip from Nakuru, which is roughly a 3-hour drive away. You can either join a guided safari tour in Nairobi or rent a car to explore Lake Bogoria on your own.
If you decide to enter from the southern entrance of the reserve, it’s located 38 kilometers (about 24 miles) north of Nakuru. However, the road from this entrance can be tricky, especially after rain, so a 4WD vehicle is necessary for this route. On the other hand, the road from Nakuru to the northern entrance is 150 kilometers (93 miles) and is well-paved, making it easier to drive even with a regular two-wheel drive vehicle.
Keep in mind that there are no domestic flights going directly to Lake Bogoria or Lake Nakuru. If you’re considering flying, some charter flights between reserves might be available, but you’ll need to check with your tour operator for these options.
