This archive report was first published on 4 August 2020.
August marks the peak season for tourism in Baringo County, with the phenomenal migration of flamingos into Lake Bogoria expected to attract visitors from around the world.
However, the industry has faced a double calamity in recent months, with the Covid-19 pandemic and heavy rainfall causing water levels in the lakes to rise sharply.
As a result, many hotels and tourist facilities along the shores of the lakes have been destroyed, causing significant losses to the industry.
Despite these challenges, Lake Bogoria Spa Resort has shown resilience and has reopened its gates to the public with discounted packages to lure local tourists.
According to the hotel's General Manager, Mrs. Lydia Dentewo, the hotel is currently operating at 40% of its normal capacity and has recalled all its staff to work on a rotational basis.
'We have started receiving visitors, Kenyans are now visiting after being in a lockdown for a while,' said Dentewo.
She added that the tourism industry is an important sector in Kenya, employing one in every ten Kenyans, and that the County government is working to build an alternative route to access the tourist sites.
'The flamingos are back again, we have seen them in the last one week flying in, there are new sites we can view even as we wait for completion of new road,' said Dentewo.
She encouraged tourists to visit Baringo, noting that there are many other places to see in the county, and assured visitors of their safety, saying that the roads are passable and that there are many places that are far from the floods where they can relax and unwind.
'We tell clients they are safe to visit Baringo despite the lakes rising, the hotel is far from the lake and so they should not fear that Baringo is submerged,' she said.
Despite the challenges, the hotel is optimistic that it will pick up to 75% by December, and is putting in place measures to combat the pandemic, including strictly following Covid-19 protocols and providing washing points and sanitizers for staff and clients.
'Welcome to Baringo and enjoy Baringo's diversity that include hot geysers, many bird species, increased flamingo, wildlife, culture, Koriema meat and the organic foods and fruits,' came the parting shot.
By Christopher Kiprop
