Elmenteita is a shallow alkaline lake (1,800 hactares maximum depth 1.9 meters) lying on the Rift Valley floor some 20 kilometer south-east of Nakuru town. It is fed by the Kekopey hot springs at its southern end, and two small streams, the Meroronyi and Kariandusi, flowing from the eastern plateau. The surrounding landscape is characterized by dramatic rocky faults, volcanic outcrops and cones. Rainfall is erratic and averages less than 600 milimeters per year. To the east, the lake is flanked by small-scale agriculture, while several large ranches surround the remainder. The northern and south-eastern lakeshores are open and flat, a spectacular cliff rises to the north-east, and the western shores are broken and rocky.

The natural vegetation is mainly Acacia and Tarconanthus camphoratus bushland interspersed with Themeda triandra grassland. Patches of Acacia xanthophloea woodland occur near the shore, and formerly covered a large area south of the lake. The Important Bird Area consists of the lake and its surrounding shoreline, including the hot springs and the cliffs, and the Soysambu Wildlife Sanctuary (5,400 hactares), part of the Delamere Estate, that abuts the lake to the north and west.

It is a small soda lake with a size of 18 square kilometers. The word Elementeita is derived from the Maasai word muteita, meaning “dust place” referencing to the dryness and dustiness' of the area, especially between January and March. Lake Elementeita is alkaline and close to Lake Nakuru National Park, part of it is within Soysambu Conservancy. It is globally recognized as an Important Bird Area. Lake Elementeita is one of the Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, a natural property of exceptional splendor, comprises three inter-linked fairly shallow lakes (Lake Bogoria, 10,700 hectares Lake Nakuru 18,800 hectares, and Lake Elementaita 2,534 hectares) on the floor of Great Rift Valley and covers an entire area of 32,034 hectares. Lake Elementeita has also been designated as one of the wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites) in Kenya since 2005.

Lake Elementeita is home to 13 globally threatened bird species and some of the highest bird diversities in the world. Due to the assemblage of various birds of conservation concern, such as the threatened, range-restricted Grey-crested Helmet-shrike nearly threatened which occurs in the surrounding woodland where it may be resident.

The lake sustains noteworthy populations of over 100 species of Palearctic migratory birds by offering a vital wintering ground for them, making this one of the greatest ornithological spectacles on earth, the lake forms part of the Great Rift Valley migratory flyway system for migratory birds. Lake Elementeita is fed by the Kikopey hot springs at its southern end, and two small streams, the Meroronyi and Kariandusi, flow from the eastern plateau. The surrounding landscape is characterized by dramatic rocky faults, volcanic outcrops, and cones. Rainfall is erratic and averages less than 600 milimeters/year.

The lake has over 400 bird species recorded and bird watching is done while walking and tourists can see variey of birds on their visit. Greater and Lesser Flamingo varieties are attracted to Lake Elmenteita by the insect larvae, blue-green algae and crustaceans. Near to four million Lesser Flamingos travel between the three lakes Elmenteita, Nakuru, and Bogoria.