Kenya lakes get World Heritage status

The Kenya Lake System, one of the country’s most alluring natural features, has recently been designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The system, which comprises three interconnected lakes – Bogoria, Nakuru and Elementaita – joins the likes of the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon on Unesco’s prestigious list of places considered to have outstanding value to humanity.



African wild dogs and flamingos at Lake Nakuru


The lakes, which are form part of the Great Rift Valley, provide a habitat for an extraordinary catalogue of wildlife. Most notably, they are a crucial site for lesser flamingos and an important nesting and breeding ground for great white pelicans. The lakes harbour a vast array of other birdlife too, including several threatened species. Many of Africa’s famous mammals also make their home here, such as giraffes, cheetahs, black rhinos and African wild dogs.

Unesco is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting the protection of places of natural or cultural importance to the world. Other Kenyan sites which have previously been awarded World Heritage status include the old town of Lamu and Mount Kenya National Park.