Lake Naivasha

Boat safaris are one of the most popular activities at Lake Naivasha.

Jetting out onto the lake is the best way to get up close to the hippos and flamingos in the lake. If you look to the shores, you may see zebras, wildebeest, and giraffes.

A typical both safari on Lake Naivasha takes around an hour, and the lake’s sheer size means that you will not be distracted by the rumble of other boat engines.

Crescent Island, aptly named because of its crescent moon shape, is found on the east side of the lake near the town of Naivasha. Most of the lake's accommodation options are found in this area.

Crescent Island home to a game sanctuary. Tours of the sanctuary last between 1.5-3 hours, and highlights include walking amongst the resident giraffes and zebras.

Crescent Island is one of the most popular attractions in the Lake Naivasha area, and it was the primary filming location for the 1985 romantic drama 'Out of Africa'.

On the other side of the lake, you will find the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. This small sanctuary is a great destination for hiking and it is home to giraffes, zebras, and over 150 bird species.

The sanctuary has walking trails which follow the rim of the crater, and these routes offer breath-taking views.

Night game drives can be organised at Crater Lake, and they are a great opportunity to see leopards, aardvark, caracal, and many other elusive species.

Longonot National Park just 20km from Lake Naivasha, and the road journey takes around 45 minutes.

The park derives its name from Mount Longonot, a stratovolcano which towers over the park at an elevation of 2,776m.

It takes around 4-5 hours to climb the dormant volcano, and the views from the summit are extraordinary.

Despite its length, the trek is not too physically demanding. If you complete the hike in the morning, you can spend a relaxing afternoon on a boat trip or game drive.

Elsamere is the former home of the naturist, artist, and author, Joy Adamson. Adamson is famous for her book Born Free which documents her experiences of raising Elsa, an orphaned lion cub.

Elsamere can be paired with the Karen Blixen Museum in Nairobi, the former home of Danish author Karen Blixen.

The house and gardens are beautiful, and they have been converted into a museum which showcases Adamson’s life and work.

Visitors can also see the colobus monkeys and have tea in the gardens. This is a great spot to relax after exploring the park.

You can visit Lake Naivasha at any time of the year, but we recommend visiting during the week if possible. Lake Naivasha’s proximity to Nairobi means that it is a popular weekend escape for city dwellers. If you visit between Monday and Thursday, the stunning scenery will not be interrupted by city dwellers.

Lake Naivasha is famous for its strong populations of hippos and flamingos. There are over 1,500 hippos in the area, and you are almost guaranteed to see one. The lake is a birder’s paradise as it is home to over 400 bird species. Lesser and greater flamingos flock to the lake, forming a wash of bright pink across the lake's surface.

Giraffes, zebras, impalas, and waterbucks can be sighted in the immediate vicinity of Lake Naivasha, around Crescent Island, Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, and Longonot National Park. Lucky adventurers may even glimpse a leopard.

No, there are not any crocodiles in Lake Naivasha. The lake is home to an abundance of other species, including hippos, flamingos, and over 400 bird species.

Lake Naivasha is worth visiting for travellers who are looking for a day trip from Nairobi. Lake Naivasha is easily accessible from Nairobi and the 98km journey takes around 2.5 hours along the Old Naivasha Road and the C88. Naivasha’s proximity to the capital makes it a popular day trip, and the lake can get busy at the weekend. If you want to avoid the crowds, you should visit during the week or spend a few days in the area during as part of a wider itinerary.