Naivasha

Karibu Naivasha

The Naivasha Landscape consists mainly of the Lake Naivasha watershed or catchment basin that is approximately 3,200 Km² with diverse landform characteristics and development programmes.

Critical land forms include Lake Naivasha at the floor of the rift valley and the natural forests to the upper attitudes. The Lake Naivasha and environs is important for its high biological diversity, recreational value, as a freshwater resource and generally as a source of livelihood.

The presence of the lake has made the area a focal point of great national economic value supporting a highly vibrant intensive irrigation-based agriculture for cut flowers, livestock and dairy farming, geothermal power production, fishery and tourism industry.

A ten-fold increase in human population in the last thirty years has led to severe environmental degradation, landscape alteration and unsustainable natural resources utilization.

Urban development, commercial and small scale farmers have resulted in unsustainable water abstraction.

History of Naivasha

Naivasha is a large town in Nakuru County, Kenya, lying 92.8 km (57.7 mi) by road north west of Nairobi.

The town has a total population of 198,444 (2019 census). The main industry is agriculture, especially floriculture.

Naivasha is also a popular tourist destination. Hell’s Gate National Park (the main locations for The Lion King, including Pride Rock and the Gorge, are modelled after the park), Mount Longonot National Park and Mount Longonot are nearby attractions.

Kenya Safari Tours also have included Lake Naivasha, to observe birdlife and hippopotamus behaviour, as well as other wild animals.

In the late 1970s–1980s Lake Naivasha was overrun with poachers and foreign creatures introduced into the lake to provide fishing. The migratory paths along lake Naivasha were being destroyed by the local rose industry.

The naturalist Joan Root (1936–2006), spent the last decade of her life trying to save the lake and its wildlife.

A resort in Naivasha was the location for much of the negotiations of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement ending the Second Sudanese Civil War, commonly known as the “Naivasha Agreement”.

How to Get to Lake Naivasha

For those looking to get to the shores of Lake Naivasha from Nairobi, there are several options for getting there. The most popular way is by car – as it is only a 90-minute drive from the capital.

There are also various shuttle bus services that can take visitors to Naivasha. While these buses may be more affordable than cars, they take longer and can be less reliable.

Another option is taking a SGR train to Naivasha from Nairobi – although this does require an extra transfer, it is still a popular choice for many visitors as it offers great views of the surrounding landscapes.

Finally, some people choose to fly to Naivasha – there are several airstrips around Naivasha that offer flights from Nairobi.

Best Time to Visit Lake Naivasha

The best time to visit Lake Naivasha is during the dry seasons, from June to October and December to March. During these times, the lake’s water levels are at their highest and temperatures are milder than in other parts of Kenya.

The months between December and March tend to be the most popular for visitors as they offer some of the most spectacular views of the lake and its surrounding wildlife.

Another great time to experience Lake Naivasha is during the rainy season, between April and June.

This is when the lake often experiences extreme levels of flooding during which large areas are submerged, creating interesting new ecosystems with a mix of aquatic creatures that cannot be found at other times of year.

Visiting in this period can also provide a unique chance to observe the local birdlife, as this is when many of them migrate back to Naivasha.

It can also be an ideal opportunity for keen fishermen to take advantage of the lake’s rich fish stocks. Regardless of when you visit, you will be excited to note that there is no Lake Naivasha entry fee you will incur.

About Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in the Kenya section of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, and is located north west of Nairobi with the town of Naivasha on its north eastern shore.

At 1,890 meters (6,200 ft) above sea level, the lake is at the highest point in the Kenyan rift, and is set in a complex geological combination of volcanic rocks and sedimentary deposits from a much larger Pleistocene era lake.

Because the outlet for this ancient lake, now called Njorwa Gorge, is today much higher than the lake, the original Lake Naivasha must have indeed been a truly vast expanse of water.

The gorge now forms the entrance to the Hell’s Gate National Park which, for obvious reasons, today contains some spectacular examples of water and weather-worn rock formations as well as an abundance of flora and fauna.

These include some extremely rare, resident breeding pairs of Lammergeyers, otherwise known as Bearded vultures.

Apart from transient streams, Lake Naivasha is fed by the perennial Malewa and Gilgil rivers and, most unusually, it now has no visible outlet.

However, it must be assumed that such a large body of water has to have an underground outflow through a volcanic fissure or similar somewhere beneath the expanse of its lake bed.

It has been suggested that the water emerges through the fresh but hot water springs at Lake Magadi, an otherwise brackish and pinkish coloured soda lake 120kms to the south.

Because this is a volcanic area, as witnessed by Mount Longonot, an extinct nearby volcano to the south east, and ancient fumaroles .

Including the tiny but spectacular Crater Lake – to the west, Kenya is blessed with the presence of the Olkarria Geothermal electrical generating complex.

There are hills just to the south – which feeds massive amounts of much needed power into the national grid.

Since the lake’s underground outflow might perhaps be limited in size, the lake has a surface area of between 140 and 180 km² depending on the rainfall.

In years gone by, it has been known to either dry up altogether or to expand exponentially during the somewhat cyclic curse of the El Nino weather system which creates flood chaos with its multiple or lengthy torrential rain storms.

It has an average depth of 6 meters (20 ft), and its deepest point of 30 meters (100 feet) is off Crescent Island which is a wildlife conservation area.

Lake Naivasha is home to a wide variety of wildlife including a sizeable population of hippos which usually invade our property during their nightly forays for food.

Being a freshwater lake, it also has a healthy fish population to include Black bass, Tilapia and Crayfish which attract a variety of fish-eating birds such as Long-tailed and Great Cormorants, along with Fish Eagles, Pelicans, and various types of Kingfishers.

Naivasha is also a good place to see the Grey-backed fiscal. This bird replaces the Long-tailed Fiscal in areas with higher rainfall. Also to be seen in the area is the Black-lored Babbler.

The Naivasha race tends to show pale tipped feathers on their heads which gives their appearance a somewhat frosty or haloed effect, and it is believed that this variation may be the result of hybridization with Northern Pied Babblers at some point in the past.

Things to Do in Naivasha

ivasha is a freshwater lake located in Kenya and it is famous for its abundance of wildlife, including hippos, giraffes, zebras, and more than 400 species of birds. Below is what to do in Lake Naivasha:

Bird Watching

With over 450 bird species, the lake is a world-class destination for bird watchers. The number of bird species in the lake is at its highest from October all the way to March when the migratory birds arrive. Common birds in the lake include:

• The pink-backed pelicans
• Long-tailed cormorants.
• Goliath heroine.
• Black-lored babblers.
• Grey-capped warblers.
• Pelicans.
• White-fronted bee-eaters.
• Great white egrets.
• Brimstone canaries.
• Weavers,
• and the iconic fish eagles.

Owls, fish eagles and other birds of prey known to feed on hatched flamingoes, turtles, crocodiles and rock hyraxes are also present in the lake.

Crescent Island Game Sanctuary

The Crescent Island Game Sanctuary is a peninsula located on the eastern side of Lake Naivasha. The private island often referred to as ‘Lake Naivasha’s well-kept secret’ has a lot in store for you. Some of the animals you will spot at the island include:

• Impalas
• Wildebeests
• Giraffes
• Zebras
• Waterbucks,
• and elands call this beautiful island home.

The island is also a haven for over 200 bird species, some of them are; herons, fish eagles, lily-trotters, and ospreys. Boat rides along lake Naivasha provide a perfect view of the island, dotted with animals such as the hippos, kongoni, and zebras.

The island is also ideal for activities such as hiking, biking, walking and weekend retreats.

Things to Do in Naivasha – Boat Excursions

Nothing beats a guided boat safari out on the calm waters of Lake Naivasha. The cool breeze of the lake is magnificent; a thing made even more stunning by the enormous number of birds moving about above you.

See animals such as the Cape buffalo while on your intriguing boat safari.

Oserian Wildlife Conservancy

The conservancy was started in 1988 with the aim of protecting all biodiversity and becoming a sustainable ecotourism destination. The conservancy is home to herbivores such as the White Rhino, Grevy’s zebra, Burchell’s zebra, Wildebeests, Impalas, Thomson’s and Grant gazelles.

On your African safari tour here, you will also see Giraffes, Warthogs, waterbucks, and buffalos. Predators in the sanctuary are also very well represented. They include; caracals, leopards, hyenas, servals, and cheetahs.

The sanctuary is also home to over 300 bird species. One such bird is the rare Somali ostrich.

Crater Lake Game Sanctuary

The Crater Lake has breathtaking jade colored waters believed, by residents, to possess some healing powers. Solo walks around the parks are allowed, giving you a chance to have close interactions with the wild animals in the sanctuary.

Among key animals in the park are the rare white and black Colobus monkeys. Other animals in the park are giraffes, buffalos, zebras and over 150 species of birds.

Game Drive at Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is located near Lake Naivasha and forms part of the Great Rift Valley.

The park is home to many species of mammals, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and buffaloes. It also boasts a variety of birdlife including flamingos and other waterfowl.

Things to do in Naivasha – Climb Mt. Longonot

Are you a lover of adventure? How about a hike up a dormant volcano? The Mt. Longonot is only 16.1km away from the lake. The hike up the mountain is a stimulating adventure that will see you interact with animals such as the leopards, antelopes and the buffalos.

A trip from Lake Naivasha to the mountain can be combined with other fun activities.

Visit the Lake Elementaita

Although Lake Bogoria is the most famous flamingo site, Lake Elementaita also has its equal share of the beautiful pink colored birds. The 55.5km ride to the lake will not take you more than 2 hours, but it’s as refreshing as it can get.

OlKaria Geothermal Spa

The OlKaria Geothermal Spa is situated within the Hell’s Gate National Park, 24.8km away from Lake Naivasha. The spa is the biggest of its kind in the continent.

The human-made OlKaria pools are perfect for a dip, and our safari guides, all born and raised in Kenya, will happily take you there for this once in a lifetime experience.

Kariandusi Cradle of Mankind

Rumor has it that this is the place man’s journey began. The place dates back to over 1 million years ago.

Land of the Tswana

There are so many places that you can visit in Botswana but there are some other attractions that stand out more than others and are worth visiting during Botswana Safari. These make the list of the top Tourist Attractions In Botswana.

There are many tours that you can do in Botswana and the most common is the overland tour, where you can drive around to most parts of the country in an overland truck. Most common tours include a Botswana Wildlife Safari, Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park package, Desert tracking, Premium safaris and 5 to 10 day safaris.

• • Exploring ancient ruins, historical landmar.

• • Immersive cultural experiences, local.

• • Hiking, trekking, extreme sports, and out.

• • A romantic destination like Paris, Venice.

• • Kid-friendly activities, theme parks family.

• • Premium accommodations, gourmet.