The lake is about 4 kilometers from Meru Town on the Meru/Isiolo/Nanyuki Road.The origin of the lake can be traced to the eruption of the volcanic cone which threw lots of rock and volcanic ash which covers most of the surrounding farmlands. It lies on the foot of Mt Kenya; a remnant of the latter’s volcanic action that left the bowl-shaped crater on the western side of the forest. The lake become
s a traditional washing site of the local community. The lake is protected and owned by the Meru council of elders (Njuri Ncheke). It was here that the locals offered their sacrifices to God
The splendid beauty strikes and embraces you the moment you set foot in this sacred place. Nkunga stretches her arms wide open, like a modern state-of-the-art stadium welcoming fans for a grand match. The green carpet at the base completes the picture only that instead of tiered spectator seats, thick tree trunks, wide branches, and heavy floor vegetation envelops the “playground”Nkunga blossoms with natural beauty, a characteristic of indigenous forest. Sacred: The lake is sacred to the Meru community. Whenever calamities struck, the elder used to meet and sacrifice. Even today, elders do sacrifice at the lake to wade off evil spirits. The lake is surrounded by the nearby Nkunga Forest, which is part of Mt Kenya Forest Reserve and provides water streams. The water is the source of water for the local population and hence its a good place to meet and talk with the locals. The lake is the source of water to the large herds of elephants found in Nkunga forest. A large number of birds can also be spotted. Some of the large birds in the lake are crested cranes, African Darter, Egyptian Geese, Grey Heron, Long tailed cormorant, Hadada Ibis, Sacred Ibis. Also in the locality are forest birds- common bulbul, Tinkerbirds, weavers, sunbirds, doves, hornbills,turacos and many more.Thus Nkunga is rich in plant as well as bird population and wild animals. The water is greatly populated by tilapia fish,and With a license you can try fishing. The lake is stocked with trout fish which are extremely difficult to catch. Canoe riding is feasible if the weeds are removed. Though the area receives moderate perception, Nkunga is a community resource and attempts to develop it as a tourist destination has proved extremely difficult because the last donor left in a half clearing the Aquatic weeds. Efforts are being made to clear both emersed, floating, algae and submersed weeds. The area is too rocky hence the name of the nearby Rocky Hill Motel.Other accommodation facilities within the walking distance of the lake are the Spa spiderlake among others. The Lake can be explored from Meru Town. From Meru drive past Nkunga forest. At the forest exit, look for a sign of the Spa, drive into the dirt road past the spa and Nkunga primary school. From the gate of Nkunga Primary continue driving straight for about two hundred meters and take the first turn to your left. Make sure you drive past the quarry and electric fence into the lake. Though no incidences have been reported, visitors are advised to get game rangers from Kws.
Lake Nkunga is a sacred lake of the Meru people of Kenya. Nkunga Sacred Lake:
