Lake Magadi

Lake Magadi is at the southern end in the Kenya Rift Valley, lying in catchments of faulted volcanic rocks, north east of Lake Natron in Tanzania. During the dry season, it is 80% covered by soda and is well known for its wading birds, including flamingos. Lake Magadi is a saline, alkaline lake, approximately 100 square kilometers in size. The lake is an example of a "saline pan" with some areas being up to 40 m thick with salt. Lake Magadi was not always saline but many years ago it is believed that it was a fresh water lake.

Magadi Township lies on the lake's east shore, and is home to the Magadi Soda factory that produces soda ash. Magadi Soda is owned by Tata India since December 2005. This factory produces soda ash, which has a range of industrial uses.These sizzling hot plains stop any animals getting to the centre of the alkaline lake. Due to the foregoing thousands of flamingos move down to the lake each year to nest on high mud mounds at the edge of the lake safe from any possible predators. The freshwater springs on the shores of the Lake attract many other birds.

An expedition to Magadi takes one to an extra terrestrial world the experience is awesome. The hot salt plains extend into endless gleaming heat mirage and the shallow lake dazzling with the pink waves of nesting flamingo. The incredible atmosphere is compounded by the strong heat and the seclusion. Magadi is often the final destination for treks from the Nguruman escarpment or the Loita hills.  To get to Nairobi means that one leaves the heat of Magadi behind and climb 1000 metres to the capital.

The lake is featured in Fernando Meirelles's film The Constant Gardener, which is based on the book of the same name by John le Carré, although in the film the shots are supposed to be at Lake Turkana.
A track that crosses the lake provides access to the area west of the lake (Nguruman Escarpment). There is no tourist accommodation at Magadi town site.

Nearest site
The Nguruman Escarpment, the Loita Hills, and Olorgasaille