Lake Naivasha and surrounding area

Distance from Nairobi: ca. 90 kilometres

Highlights:

A visit to Lake Naivasha is ideal for a day trip from Nairobi or on the way to the Masai Mara. By boat you can spot some of the almost 500 bird species found in the area. For the more active safari-goer, a walk in the nearby Hell’s Gate National Park or exploring the region by bike is on offer. In the private nature reserve of Crescent Island, you will be able to spot wildebeest, zebras and giraffes on foot as you take part in a walking safari.

Hippos in Lake Naivasha

Description:

While a classic safari is spent mostly in the car, Lake Naivasha and its surrounding area invites you to stretch your legs and get active.

By boat you will explore one of the few freshwater lakes in the East African Great Rift Valley. Grab your binoculars and search for African fish eagles, pelicans and cormorants. Hippos can also be seen dozing off along the riverbank.

If you would like to spend a bit more time at the lake, a trip to Crescent Island, a small private nature reserve, is definitely worth a visit. Here you have the option to admire the animal kingdom up close on a walking safari. Look out for zebras, wildebeest, impalas and giraffes walking along the shimmering water. A unique experience indeed.

Those who would like to stretch their legs a bit after a long car ride, can explore Hell’s Gate National Park by foot or on a mountain bike. Travel through deep ravines and on top of huge cliffs and enjoy the great view of the spectacular Great Rift Valley landscape.

Lake Naivasha’s proximity to Nairobi makes this a good day trip destination, but can also easily be added to a safari to Masai Mara or Lake Nakuru National Park. The lakeshore is always green, offering a nice change in scenery to the dry savannahs. Along the shore, you will find many grazing hoofed animals such as zebras, small gazelles and giraffes.

Lake Naivasha is the ideal stopover on long journeys from one park to the next.