Lake Logipi is a saline, alkaline lake in the northern Kenya Rift located at the north end of the arid Suguta Valley, in the north end of which is the dry Suguta Valley. A group of young volcanoes, the Barrier volcanic complex, separates it from Lake Turkana. The Barrier volcanic complex last erupted in the late nineteenth century or early twentieth century. Saline hot springs, which discharge on the northern coast of Lake Logipi and at Cathedral Rocks, at the lake’s southern boundary, aid in preserving water during periods of high aridity by providing a source of calcium chloride. Lablab Lake, which is periodically formed and joins Logipi Lake, is also replenished by the Suguta River during the rainy season. The Suguta River travels northward along the Suguta Valley, regularly generating a temporary lake (Lake Alablab), joining Logipi Lake.
Lake Logipi is approximately 6 kilometers broad and 3 kilometers long, with a maximum of 3 to 5 meters. Its waters are composed primarily of sodium bicarbonate, with a pH ranging from 9.5-10.5 and salinity (total dissolved salts) ranging from less than 20 g/l to more than 50 g/l depending on the season. Efflorescent salt crusts (trona) are found around the crater’s edges. Flamingoes are frequent visitors to salty water bodies, where they feed on cyanobacteria (Arthrospira spp. – formerly known as Spirulina) and other plankton species.