Kariandusi

On our final stop, we entered the site of Kariandusi near Lake Elementaita. The site, first documented in 1928, dates to approximately 1 million years ago and is renowned for its abundance of Acheulean type hand axes and cleavers which provide evidence for early toolmaking. Fossilised bones of extinct and extant animals suggest that the site was once rich in natural resources. Kariandusi sits on what was once a much larger Lake Elementaita as indicated by the layers of diatomite that give the sediments their characteristic white colour today. A diatomite factory near the site has been in operation since 1950. Today, Kariandusi is a protected heritage site with an on-site museum showcasing its importance in human prehistory.

All three sites – Hyrax Hill, Lanet and Kariandusi – are located close to the UNESCO World Heritage property – The Kenya Lake System. Inscribed in 2011, the property covers an area of approximately 32,034 hectares and includes three lakes – Elementaita, Nakuru, and Bogoria. Lake Elementaita is a key breeding site for the great white pelican with over 8,000 breeding pairs. Lake Nakuru National Park hosts one of the most spectacular ornithological displays on Earth, with millions of flamingos, whilst Lake Bogoria serves as a critical feeding ground for the Lesser Flamingo and supports the highest population of Greater Flamingos across the Great Rift Valley