Lake Jipe Travel Guide: Top Sights in Kenya, Tours & Travel Advice -

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Lake Jipe- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Natural Scenery; Kenya; 5 Reviews

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Suggested Duration: 4 hours

Lake Jipe is a shallow, inter-territorial lake situated on the border between southeastern Kenya and northeastern Tanzania. Fed primarily by the Lumi River from Mount Kilimanjaro and additional streams from the North Pare Mountains, the lake spans approximately 30 square kilometers and forms part of the Ruvu–Pangani river system. Its outflow eventually reaches the Indian Ocean via the Pangani River. On the Kenyan side, the lake borders Tsavo West National Park, while Tanzania's Mkomazi Game Reserve lies nearby. The contrasting landscapes—flat plains to the north and the towering Ugweno Mountains to the south—create a dramatic natural setting, with views of Kilimanjaro's Kibo Peak visible from the lakeshore. Ecologically, Lake Jipe supports a rich diversity of species, including the endemic and localized Jipe tilapia, large populations of siluriforms and cyprinoids, and a wide variety of waterbirds such as pelicans, African darters, jacanas, and black herons. Hippopotamuses and Nile crocodiles are also commonly seen in the lake. Surrounding communities, estimated at around 120,000 people, rely heavily on the lake for fishing, agriculture, and livestock rearing. The lake's waters, although requiring treatment for consumption, are vital for irrigation in this agriculturally active region where languages such as Ki-Taveta, Maasai, and Ki-Gweno reflect the area's cultural diversity.

Operators offering tours in Kenya

Attractions in Kenya

Nairobi

Masai Mara

4.9

Amboseli

4.86

Lake Nakuru

4.8

Lake Naivasha

4.6

Mombasa

Tsavo East

4.6

Tsavo West

Reviews of Lake Jipe

Ayoub Mfinanga

4
Reviewed: 2025-01-16

It is our questions why we do not going Dongodo in Ugweno, The KANTANKAROUS PLACE. for doing many activities? What hidden inside Ugweno tribe can we go for Eid and Easter this 2025?
Arthur Preston

3
Reviewed: 2024-05-04

The lake is hidden with weeds and the only way to access the lake from the Kenyan side is through the canoes from the local fishermen without safety jackets. But once in the ocean it's quiet and peaceful.
David King'oo

5
Reviewed: 2023-07-25

Extremely fantastic experience and very cool place to be. I enjoyed seeing plenty of elephants, zebras, giraffes and lions. For sure i must arrange to be back again.
Sadashiv N

4
Reviewed: 2023-03-27

We visited Lake Jipe from the Tanzania side, which was very exciting. We were camping at Yefuka Campsite, around 10km from the lakeside. The campsite manager arranged for our boat trip here and it was gorgeous. It wasn't very expensive either - TZS 20,000 for a boat. We got the boat from Ruru village on the lakeside. It was a really long ride on local boats to reach the Hippo area (your bottoms will start hurting sitting for nearly two hours on that boat if youre not used to it!). We were quite lucky to spot a huge group there. We also spotted some wildlife from Tsavo National Park on the Kenya side (from far away, of course!). The lake was gorgeous, and we were blessed with decent weather. On our way back, we could see the gorgeous Kilimanjaro. I never expected it was possible to see the tallest mountain of Africa from here!
lewis mugo

5
Reviewed: 2019-12-09

A very nice serene area, just outside Tsavo West Park. It’s on the border between kenya and Tanzania so phone reception isn’t quite bad. There are also boats available for use there at a fee.