South Rift - Magadi

The current tourism product in the South Rift Magadi features the Shompole and Olkiramatian Concervancies. See below here a detailed list of attractions and activities, then you will be ready to see our Suggested Eco Safaris in the area, that easily combine with any of our other conventional safaris.

Day and Night Game Drives

Day and Night game drives cover both the Shompole and Olkiramatian Conservation Areas, which are a success story in community efforts of creating their own “parks beyond parks”. There is a wide variety of
wildlife including lion, cheetah, elephant, leopard, wildebeest, oryx, buffalo, eland, giraffe & gazelle among others.

The region is also known as a hot spot for birds and over 350 different species have been identified. The rich diversity is a factor of the several
rift valley lakes, the Nguruman Escarpment and the Ewaso Ngiro River basin that provides a mixed riverine vegetation, a major source of food and home for the different species.

A walk with the baboon

Do not miss this incredible opportunity of a walk with a habituated troop of baboons. Follow them as they swim through the river, play in acacia trees and eat sweet cordial berries, as you get to understand their behaviour, feeding habbits, grooming, family structures and their socialization.

During your walk with the baboons, you will be led through the bushes by a local and friendly Maasai guide with a diverse wealth of experience and knowledge to share.

Research Tourism

The South Rift Resource Centre is a product of SORALO (South Rift Association of Landowners) in collaboration with ACC (African Conservation Centre). This is a community based/women owned natural resource and research centre, a physical place that provides a centre for information storage and dissemination. The centre provides the community with a forum to engage with partners (scientists, practitioners) on knowledge creation, dissemination and application.

Spend a day with the research team to understand the relationship between the
ecosystem and its inhibitors. This will give you a chance to learn and connect with nature.
- Learn about two collared elephants Lorna and Kiramatian and how the ACC researchers
are ensuring their long-term survival and minimizing human wildlife conflict
- Observe the behaviour of the elusive striped Hyena on the first long-term study of its kind
- Track collared Lions and follow them through the night as they hunt

Bird Watching

Magadi area is a bird watchers paradise. Your safari will be blended with many beautiful
bird
songs and tunes that awaken you every morning. Besides the over 350 species that have
been identified in the area, the South Rift Region is home to two salt water lakes –
Lake Magadi and Lake Natron that are world famous as breeding grounds for the
lesser flamingo.

Nature Walks with local Maasai guides

The Maasai people have co-existed for many years in the same environment with wildlife
and their livestock which is the main source of their livelihood.

It is for this reason that they have kept the environment intact to date. Their
conservation efforts have been passed from one generation to another through
informal trainings which by an large form the Maasai culture and by extension the backbone
of the Tourism Industry.

No one can articulate this better than a local Maasai guide. Choose between walking in
the forest, in the open savanna or along the river as you appreciate the conservation efforts of the community. Your guide will help you learn and understand the use of different trees, herbs, shrubs, grasses and different ecosystems for the survival of the community, an old tradition that has stood the test of time and is a puzzle to modern science.

Cultural Tourism

A safari in Africa is not complete without seeing the Maasai people who roam the rangelands with their livestock in the midst of wildlife and whose rich and adorable culture is a tourist attraction. Infact, the Maasais, cladded in red traditional shukas are seen to be part of the natural environment.

Spend a day visiting a traditional village to experience this un spoilt culture and be with the people as they carry out their daily chores. Listen to them and learn more about their life style as you engage and participate in activities like beadwork, herding the cattle, milking, fetching firewood, fetching water and even constructing a hut in the manyatta. It is not unusual to have the opportunity to participate in a dance or take part in one of the many cultural ceremonies or festivities.

Day trip to Lake Natron

With picnic lunch boxes, take a day trip to Lake Natron, the sole breeding ground for millions of East African lesser flamingos. This will be a scenic drive along the Ewaso Ngiro River to the lower slopes of Mt Shompole where the river meanders and develops little swamps that silt the water before it empties itself into Lake Natron.

Besides the thousands of the pink flamingos that colour the lake, a host of other water birds greet you as walk along the salty dry water pans.

And not far from the lake on Tanzanian’s side stands Tanzania´s only active volcano, Ol Doinyo Lengai, meaning the "Mountain of God".

Hiking Excursions

You will be spoilt for choice with the many options of hiking excursions. It is advisable to do your hikes early in the morning or in the evenings when the sun is not hot. Hike up the vast Rift Valley hills well spread in the region or drive up for a hiking excursion at the Nguruman Escarpment for breath taking views, fresh and clean water springs as you breath fresh air of the indigenous vegetation that has been left intact for many generations.

A trained and experienced Maasai Game Scout will accompany you for the hike, while sharing with you his vast knowledge of the flora and fauna.

Visiting the Hot Springs at Lake Magadi

Lake Magadi is a soda lake completely surrounded by vast natural salt deposits. The thick layer of soda supports the thousands of flamingoes that descend on the lake each year, and the water springs at the shore of Lake attract many other water birds.

The gently bubbling hot springs on the southern side of the lake are a major attraction on their own. The hot and salty spring water with a natural massage is said to have a therapeutic effect on the skin. Many visitors enjoy a dip at the hot springs and afternoons are best as the lake temperatures are favorable.

Archeological

Visit Olorgesaille Pre-historic site on the road from Nairobi to Magadi.

Named after Mount Olorgasailie, the prehistoric site that is only 1½hrs drive from Nairobi and covers an area of 52 acres was discovered by Louis and Mary Leakey in 1942 and has become one of East Africa's most important early hominid archaeological sites. The site has since been donated to the Kenyan Government by the Maasai community, hence taken up by The National Museums of Kenya. The site is named after Mount Olorgesailie that lies behind the site.

This site comprises six different excavated areas where you can see hand-axes, cleavers, various other tools and animal bones. Some of the hand axes and stone tools are thought to be as much as half a million years old.

Most of these finds have been left in place and protected by shaded roof. The site has also an exposition center at the entrance which develops further the importance of the discovery. Click HERE go to the other South Rift Destination - MT SUSWA CONSERVANCY

Suggested Safaris
Day Trip to Mt Suswa
4 Days Mt Suswa - Maasai Mara
5 Days South Rift - Magadi

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