Lake Naivasha and the area around the lake have been declared a national park and should not miss from your agenda while on a Kenyan safari tour. Wildlife drives, hikes and boat trips are available for Lake Naivasha.
Location and arrival at Lake Naivasha National Park
Lake Naivasha is located in the East African Rift Valley at an altitude of almost 2,000 meters. This makes it the highest lake in the Rift Valley. At the same time, like Lake Baringo, it is a freshwater lake, while the other lakes in the Rift Valley contain salt water. Lake Naivasha has a size of approx. 150 km², but the extent can vary depending on the water level. The depth is about 7 meters.
Lake Naivasha Park is only 90 km away from Nairobi and can be reached in around 2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic. It is recommended to include the national park in a Kenya tour. During the safari, 1 or 2 nights at the lake should be planned.
In addition to arriving by car, the plane can also be used: travelers can use the Naivasha Airstrip.
Flora and fauna at Lake Naivasha National Park
Lake Naivasha is home to a considerable variety of birds. Around 300 bird species live here, such as the white-tailed eagle, kingfisher, ibis, marabou, pelican and cormorant.
Giraffe, hippo, zebra, waterbuck and antelope can be seen on game drives.
Best time to travel to Lake Naivasha National Park
You can visit Lake Naivasha all year round. With an average temperature of 20 °C, holidaymakers can expect a moderate climate. The rainy seasons that apply to Kenya also apply to Lake Naivasha. In the months of April to June and in November, an increased amount of precipitation is to be expected.
Sights and excursions at Lake Naivasha National Park
Lake Naivasha is ideal for boat trips, which can be booked locally at the accommodation or with the safari guide. There is a small island on the lake, Crescent Island, where you can visit the privately owned Crescent Island Wildlife Sanctuary. Along with many birds, you can also observe zebras, wildebeests and giraffes on a walk. There are no predators on Crescent Island.
The Hell’s Gate National Park, which is located south of Lake Naivasha, is very popular for a trip. The small park is approx. 68 km² in size, but offers breathtaking landscapes: towering rock towers, bizarre gorges and green vegetation. This makes it a welcome destination for day trips from Nairobi. Attractions include hiking on nature trails, mountain biking and bicycle tours, rock climbing, and wildlife and bird watching.
The salty water Lake Elementaita is also nearby, where flamingos, pelicans and hippos can be seen.
Camps and lodges at Lake Naivasha National Park
There are numerous hotels and accommodation options in and around Lake Naivasha National Park. For a Kenya safari we recommend Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge and Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge. The Naivasha Sopa Lodge is located directly on the lake. In the evening, hippos roam the large, green gardens.