Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake located in Kenya in Nakuru County. It is within the Great Rift Valley at an elevation of 1889 meters above sea level and the highest on the Great Rift Valley. The lake derives its name from the local Masai word “Naivasha” which means “that which heaves”. It is among the sources of water that the Masai use to get water for use. The lake covers a total area of about 139 square kilometers and about 65 square kilometers are covered by the swamp. The surface of the lake depends on the levels of the rains and this lake once dried up in the 20th century.
What can I see in Lake Naivasha?
While on the safaris to Lake Naivasha, there are several attractions that travelers on their safaris can see and they include;
Bird species
While on the lake Naivasha, there are several bird species that travelers encounter on their safaris. The most popular birds on the lake are the flamingos. The other bird species around the lake include the secretary bird, pied kingfisher, African fishing eagle, and many others.
Wildlife
The wildlife on the lake also offers an eye-catch to travelers on their safaris to the lake. These wildlife are usually seen around the lake shores and in the lake. They include hippos, baboons, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeests, water-backs, and many others.
What makes Lake Naivasha so special from the other destinations?
Lake Naivasha is a scenery of fresh waters with several flamingos surrounding the lake that travelers can encounter during their safaris. It is surrounded by swampland vegetation that harbors several bird species and other wildlife that travelers can encounter on their safaris.
What to do in Lake Naivasha
Travelers encounter Lake Naivasha, there are several activities that they can engage in and they include;
Boat cruise
The boat cruise is one of the primary activities that travelers on their safaris to encounter the lake can engage in. It involves the use of motorized boats that take you around the lake to see several wildlife like hippos, flamingos, and many others. This activity is usually done in the wet season since the volumes of water are high enough to support the boat cruise.
Nature walks
Nature walks or safari walks are one of the activities that travelers engage in on the shores of the lake where they see several wildlife and other attractions around the lake. Some of the wildlife encountered include hippos, zebras, baboons, and many others. The nature walks are usually done under the guidance of the ranger guide who ensures your safety during the safaris.
Game drive
It is done within the Lake Naivasha National Park which aids the viewing of the wildlife in the park. It is done in a 4×4 safari van with a pop-up which eases the viewing of the wildlife in the gazetted trails of the park. The wildlife encountered in the park includes hippos, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, and many others. The game drive is done in the morning, afternoon, evening, and full-day sessions.
Birding
Around the lake, there are over 80 bird species that travelers on their safaris encounter where they are situated around the lake. They are encountered by travelers during their safaris and they include; Flamingos, scarlet sunbirds, herons, intermediate eaglets, red-chested sunbirds, and many others.
Where to stay during the safaris to Lake Naivasha?
While on a safari to Lake Naivasha, there are several accommodation facilities that travelers encounter and these facilities are situated around the lake. These facilities are usually graded as midrange, luxury, and budget facilities. These facilities include the Sweet Lake Resort, Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, Dove Nest Lodge, Sawela Lodge, Lake Naivasha Resort, Tripple Eden Naivasha, and many others.
How to get to Lake Naivasha?
The lake Naivassha can be accessed by both road and air transport. While using road from the Nairobi, travelers take about 2 to 3 hours of the day to reach the lake. Whereas using air transport, travelers engage in the domestic scheduled flights from the Wilson airport to the several airstrips around the lake.
Other destinations to visit on a trip to Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is surrounded by other destinations that travelers on their safaris can encounter and they include;
Hells Gate National Park
This park is near the lake Naivasha and it is named after a narrow cliff that had a tributary from the lake where it killed several lives of people. It was gazetted in 1984 and this park is tagged as “Walk on Slide”. The park is home to several wildlife that travelers encounter on their safaris like buffaloes, zebras, eland, hartebeests, Thomoson’s gazelles, and many others. Also, there are several bird species that travelers encounter these species and they are about 100 species in number.
Crescent Island Game Sanctuary
It is located on the eastern side of Lake Naivasha and it was formed in 1988 after the water levels of Lake Naivasha reduced allowing the island to be part of the mainland. On this island, there are several wildlife that travelers on their safaris usually encounter. The wildlife encountered on the island includes the Erlands, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, ostriches, zebras, and many others. The island is generally flat for easy viewing of the wildlife.
Elsamere Museum
It is on the shores of the lake and this museum became famous in the 1960s after it was featured in the book titled “Born Free” since this place had become the home of the authors Joy Adamson and George Adamson. Elsamere Museum has a lot of information concerning the conservation efforts in Kenya.
What is the best time to visit Lake Naivasha?
Lake Naivasha is open to travelers throughout the year. The best time is during the dry season since the area is more clear for the viewing of the attractions around the lake. In the wet season, the lake can be visited since the water levels are high to support the boat cruise and sitting attractions within the lake.
