Nakuru: The state-owned Geothermal Development Company (GDC) has unveiled plans to tap into the Menengai Crater’s massive caldera, geothermal activity, and ecological importance to exploit its geotourism potential and earn increased revenues. The world-famous Menengai Crater, a gigantic shield volcano with one of the biggest calderas in the world, sits approximately ten kilometers north of Nakuru Town.
According to Kenya News Agency, Menengai Crater is the largest volcano caldera in Kenya and the second largest in Africa after the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. It is a massive, dormant volcano that was formed around 8,000 years ago. The volcanic activity that created a 12 km wide caldera in the Great Rift Valley also resulted in a dramatic landscape of hills, ridges, volcanic rocks, gorges, and caves, yielding a perfect cocktail of a unique adventure offering physical features. This is the treasure that the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) is seeking to tap into Geothermal tourism.
Stephen Busieney, the Acting GDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, stated the company’s intentions to transform Menengai into a paradise by engaging different stakeholders to onboard this exciting new frontier. The company has identified a 20 km paved circuit for biking, trekking, and jogging, with plans to set up a geothermal heated swimming pool and spa complex as part of a natural geothermal spa resort, which will be the first of its kind in Africa.
GDC has been drilling steam wells at the floor of Menengai crater since 2011 as part of a project to generate geothermal energy in Kenya and has undertaken drilling of a total of 43 wells. After derisking the fields, GDC competitively selected three Independent Power Producers (IPPs)-Sosian Energy alongside Quantum Power East Africa and the American firm OrPowerTwenty Two-to build, operate, and own the first three power plants in Menengai, each generating 35 megawatts to pump into the national grid a cumulative 105 megawatts.
The geothermal fluids, a byproduct of the electricity generation process by the IPPs, will be the source of the natural brine and heat for the heated swimming pool and spa complex. Besides the natural geothermal spa resort, the state agency is working with stakeholders in the tourism sector to enhance the status of Menengai Crater as a significant geological and adventure tourism site, highlighting its large picturesque views of Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria, opportunities for hiking, and cultural significance due to local legendary tales of spirits and demons.
The site also features geothermal excavation and a rich variety of flora and fauna, drawing visitors for recreational, religious, and educational purposes. Mr. Busieney emphasized the need for adventure tourism, indicating that inquiries for tours and excursions show there is a market for such activities. The area also has a rich history, once serving as a hideout for Mau-Mau freedom fighters, with still-intact caves and lava tubes. Local communities have developed a series of myths and legends around the caldera.
The CEO noted that the volcanic formations, along with the myths and legends surrounding them, offer a worthwhile diversion from the usual and the ordinary. The caldera offers an excellent opportunity for ecological tourism, as the surrounding lush forests and crater floor are home to diverse wildlife, including dik-diks, monkeys, various bird species like the Verreaux eagle, and rare plants.
The natural geothermal spa resort, expected to be modeled on Iceland’s Blue Lagoon Health Spa, is anticipated to significantly boost tourist numbers visiting nearby attractions such as Lake Nakuru National Park, Menengai Crater, and the Hyrax Hill prehistoric site. Upon completion, it will be the second geothermal spa in Kenya after the first one built in the Naivasha Olkaria steam fields by Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen). This spa is the biggest natural spa in Africa, with the capacity to host 500 people at once.
The Menengai geothermal spa is projected to consist of several interconnected lagoons, a sauna, and a steam bath. The sauna will be designed to use brine running water in naked pipes at 150 degrees Celsius, generating heat to raise the temperature of the sauna room. The facility is also expected to host a geological and geothermal center documenting the development of geothermal resources in Kenya and the progression of global technology for converting steam into economic activities.
Health experts highlight steam bathing’s benefits, noting it softens the skin, reduces cholesterol, and slows aging. The brine, known to contain antibacterial chemicals, heals skin diseases and rashes. GDC remains optimistic that the facility will capitalize on the growing popularity of balneology and the therapeutic effect of natural spas worldwide.
Engineer Joseph Mberia, overseeing infrastructure works at GDC, assured the site’s accessibility for different users, noting that those seeking endurance hiking will find fascinating steep ascents. He highlighted Menengai’s dramatic character, presenting it as a prospective tourism site and a center for health and fitness, leisure, and recreation. The initiative aligns with a broader philosophy of optimal and sustainable utilization of geothermal resources.
Industry players have welcomed the initiative, emphasizing its potential to help Kenya exploit opportunities in the health segment of tourism. David Mwangi, Chairman of the Nakuru County Tourism Association, noted the global spa industry’s steady growth as people become more health-conscious and more willing to spend on their well-being.
Tourism consultant Kepha Mathews commended the move as a step in the right direction towards supporting initiatives by both the government and the private sector. He noted that the caldera’s unique topography makes it an ideal destination for ziplining, an adventure sport offering an adrenaline rush. Mathews emphasized the need for stakeholders to focus on other products to boost the tourism sector, acknowledging Kenya’s popularity as a destination.
