Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is one of Africa’s most renowned lakes. It has been home to numerous well known naturalists, conversationalists, and filmmakers. It is also home to over 1500 hippos and 400 different species of bird! This is what makes Lake Naivasha the perfect destination to see wildlife.

Apart from transient streams, the lake is fed by the perennial Malewa and Gilgil rivers. There is no visible outlet, but since the lake water is relatively fresh it is assumed to have an underground outflow.

The Lake is also famous for its hippo population, and there are more than 400 here. Lake Naivasha boat trips can be taken from many lakeside lodges and campsites, providing an ideal opportunity to see large pods of Hippo lying half submerged in the water. At night they emerge to graze on the Lakeshore. At some Lakeshore lodges and campsites, the remarkable sight of these massive creatures grazing across the lawns is a nightly occurrence. Most visitors are amazed when they see just how large a hippo is when it emerges from the water. It is an awe-inspiring sight, even more so when they are grazing a few feet from the door of your tent.

Attractions

Hippos, giraffes, buffaloes and zebras are just a few of the animal species that thrive at the lake and its surrounding swamps and grasslands.

Lake Naivasha is a birdwatchers dream come true. Some areas of Lake shore have recorded over 400 species. The acacia forests teem with Hoopoe, Woodpeckers, Rollers, Shrikes, Hawks, cuckoos and much more.

Lake Naivasha is an ideal place for boating, with wide open waters, fantastic surrounding scenery and plenty of channels to explore. Boats can be hired with driver/guides from many of Naivasha’s lakeside lodges and camps. This is an excellent way to see plenty of birdlife and hippos up close.

From Naivasha you can take an easy day trip to Lake Nakuru National Park where you can watch the vast flocks of flamingo feeding on the algae in the lake whilst taking a game drive in search of lion, buffalo and rhino that are to be found amongst the plains game that live in this spectacular park.

Best time to visit

All year round

Getting to Lake Naivasha

Naivasha is about an hour’s drive from Nairobi via Nairobi- Nakuru Highway. There is also an airstrip in Naivasha and charter flights can be organized.

Things to do, in and around Lake Naivasha

There are various activities to be done in Naivasha including a visit to Crescent Island where you can walk among wild animals, a visit to Lake Elementaita, a visit to the geothermal Project in Hells Gate National Park, a visit to the Elsamere Conservation centre, boat rides on Lake Naivasha and climbing Mount Longonot.