The Healing Hot Spring of Shompole, Lake Magadi

On the south-western extreme end of Lake Magadi, is the fascinating hot springs that erupt from a very dry landscape facing Shompole area dressed by undulating hills. 

These magnificent springs are culturally believed to be medicinal baths by the local Maasai community. 

During a visit to the hot springs, one can witness some minimal human activity indicating that people may be visiting the hot baths for therapy.

On the springs indeed is a signpost from Tata chemicals guiding authorized visitors on how to behave on the hot- springs. 

As the water quietly oozes from the springs, it slowly runs into canals forming poles of water down streams that host hundreds of water birds among other aquatic organisms indicating is a pristine and biologically important ecosystem for aquatics biodiversity. 

Some of the key birds which can be seen busy foraging in these ecosystems include the lesser flamingoes, pelicans, and a range of other small water birds. 

The range of biodiversity harbored by the wetlands near the hot-springs present scenario that quickly elicits research interest for the discovery of the biodiversity and factors that cause such biodiversity enrichment and the implications for bio-prospecting. 

The hot springs are truly Kenyan’s least known natural treasure of immense value.