Lake Naivasha and Surroundings

Surprisingly, Lake Naivasha, with its beautiful scenery and abundance of animal and bird life, is not a National Park.

However, it is unique in many other ways.  

For decades, heading north from Nairobi on a safari has given travellers a sense of excitement. But it’s not until you arrive at the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley that the feeling is amplified.

Location of Lake Naivasha and surroundings

Seeing the vast landscapes of Kenya, you immediately understand why the ‘Great’ is in the title Rift Valley. Taking in the grandeur, you glimpse the shimmering lake in the valley below at 1884m a.s.l. 

Nearing Lake Naivasha, you see it is flanked by two sides of the Great Rift Valley; they are the rainmakers that feed the lake via the Malewa and Gilgil Rivers.

No visible outlet exists; however, as the water remains fresh, there is thought to be an underwater outflow.

To the south, the conical shape of Mount Longonot, a stratovolcano that last erupted in the 1860s, seemingly stands guard over this precious freshwater source.

Beautiful patterns are created on the lake’s surface by a mass of flamingos and brilliantly white Great Pelicans.  

Lake Naivasha gives visitors a quintessential feeling of being in Kenya.

Be it the snort of a rising hippo coming up for air, the distinctive call of the beautiful Fish Eagle that has made the shoreline its home for centuries, or the stands of yellow fever acacia trees that provide a habitat for many and add yet more colour to the pallet of life on the lake.

Things to do at and around Lake Naivasha

One of the best things about exploring this area is that you can leave the vehicle behind and experience its wildlife up close.

You can go on foot, by boat, by bike, or even climb rock faces to discover the unique landscapes.  

Crescent Island is the destination for you if you love being in nature surrounded by wildlife. Now cut off from the mainland, the island acts like an ark and is home to a diverse range of species, which have been protected for over 40 years.

You’ll find an abundance of wildlife here, ranging from Bat-eared foxes to towering giraffes to a treasure trove of bird life.

After a short boat ride, you can wander around this peaceful island surrounded by impalas, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, giraffes, and waterbucks. 

Hell’s Gate National Park

At Hell’s Gate National Park, 15km south of the lake, you’ll find a beautiful gorge with stunning ochre rock faces, geothermal springs, extinct volcanos, and an array of wildlife.

Today, Hell’s Gate is situated higher than the lake’s surface.

However, many years ago, it was the lake’s outlet.

You can walk through narrow gorges, climb volcanic rock formations, or enjoy mountain bike trails amidst zebras, bushbucks, giraffes, warthogs, buffalo, eland, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle, Klippspringer and various other animals.

Things to do at Hell’s Gate National Park include:

• Exploring the Central Tower Trail by renting mountain bikes at Elsa Gate. 

• Hiking the Ol Njorowa Gorge, but it’s best to avoid it during rainy weather as flash floods can occur. 

• Climbing the 25m tall Fishers Tower near Elsa Gate. 

• Camping at Endachata, Naiburta, or Ol Dubai campsites 

Southwest of Lake Naivasha lies the distinctive shape of Mount Longonot National Park. You can go on an 11.6km hike to reach the highest point at 2776m and walk around the rim of this stunning dormant crater.

Some parts of the route can be challenging, so hiking in an anticlockwise direction is advisable.  

Lake Naivasha’s proximity to Nairobi makes it a great day-trip destination, but it 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.