Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake with the highest elevation of the Kenyan Rift valley at 1,890 m. It's a popular weekend getaway for Nairobians. The lake is almost 13kms across, but its waters are shallow with an average depth of five metres. Lake area varies greatly according to rainfall, with an average range between 114 and 991 sq kms. At the beginning of the 20th Century, Naivasha completely dried up and effectively disappeared. The resulting open land was farmed, until heavy rains a few years later caused the lake to return to existence, swallowing up the newly established estates.
The lake and its surroundings are rich in natural bounty, and the fertile soils and water supply have made this one of Kenya’s prime agricultural regions. Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of the yellow barked Acacia Xanthophlea, known as the yellow fever tree.
These forests abound with bird life, and Naivasha is known as a world class birding destination. The waters of the lake draw a great range of game to these shores. Giraffes wander among the acacia, Buffalo wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from the treetops while the Lakes large hippo population sleep the day out in the shallows.
The region surrounding the Lake is well worth exploring. There are two more smaller lakes nearby, Oloidien, and Sonachi, a bright green crater lake.
The lake has a surface area of 139 km² and is surrounded by a swamp which covers an area of 64 square km, but this can vary largely depending on rainfall. It is situated at an altitude of 1,884 metres (6,180 ft). The lake has an average depth of 6 m (20 ft), with the deepest area being at Crescent Island, at a maximum depth of 30 m (100 ft).[3] Njorowa Gorge used to form the lake's outlet, but it is now high above the lake and forms the entrance to Hell's Gate National Park. The town of Naivasha (formerly East Nakuru) lies on the north-east edge of the lake.
More than 450 distinct birdlife species have been identified, and the resident avi-fauna are joined by migratory species from October to March. The lake, high cliffs and forests are home to spectacled weavers, red-billed firefinches, grey-backed fiscals, grey-capped warbler and many other interesting and colorful aerial creatures. The most prominent, though, are the cormorants and pelicans while the African fish eagles are the most majestic of the raptors. As you tour through the acacia forests, you may sight hawks, cuckoos, woodpeckers, shrikes and other birds, and a solo giraffe may peer through the thorn-leaves branches out of curiosity. The papyrus swamps are where you find jacanas, herons and kingfishers.
Lake Naivasha is one of the primary drinking holes for buffalos, zebras, elands, impalas, waterbucks and other grazers, as well as a favorite place for hippos to cool themselves during the day. Take a night game drive on one of the surrounding private conservancies like Loldia and Oserian, and you will see these incredible animals slowly emerge from their wallowing sites in the lake to grass along the shores.
By Road: Naivasha is a city in Kenya, 90 km northwest of Nairobi on Lake Naivasha.
All things considered, we recommend the dry season as the best time to visit Naivasha, and also when combined with a safari to Masai Mara to view the wildebeest migration from August to October.
Loldia House, Chui Lodge and Hippo Point & Dodo's Tower provide our premier guests with the utmost in personalized services. Elsamere, Olerai and Kiangazi Houses affords an intimate experience.
We recommend a morning or afternoon boating excursion around the lake or to Crescent Island so that a professional guide and ornithologist can help you locate and identify avi-fauna by colors, location and behavior. Nature walks are another popular way to enjoy Lake Naivasha, and these outings get you close to some of the lakes smaller denizens. We also recommend horseback riding, community visits, flower farm trip visits, tours of Elsamere and day excursions to Lake Elementaita, Hell’s Gate and Lake Nakuru National Parks. Naivasha located in central Kenya is only 15 minutes flight or a two-hour drive from Nairobi.
Best time to Visit Kenya
One of the best times to visit Kenya is from July to September, during the country’s dry season, which also coincides with the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra.
The rainy seasons are also good times to travel, as there are fewer visitors and you can admire the striking emerald vegetation. December in particular is a great time to travel to Kenya, since the rains are short and you have the chance to see newborn animals and migratory bird species. Only the peak of the ‘long rains’ in March, April and May are very wet.
Feature Tour Packages
Kenya Safari Packages
Choice of Safari holidays in Kenya & tours from specialist, expert ... Small group travel: Departs most Sundays and selected Wednesdays throughout the year.
3 Days Masai Mara Fly in Safari
The spectacular Masai Mara Reserve. Aerial views of Kenya's varied landscapes including the Great Rift Valley. Spectacular wildlife throughout the Mara on game drives. 4 x 4 safari vehicles for your comfort and safety.
4 Days Masai Mara Luxury Safari
A fantastic 4-day Budget Safari to Kenya's premier game reserve - the Masai Mara. This Masai Mara Safari departs from Nairobi, Kenya where you will proceed via the Great Rift Valley with its spectacular views and onwards to the beautiful Masai Mara Reserve.
6 Days Kenya Semi Luxury Safari
Book an African safari to Kenya s major National Parks for 5 nights and 6 days to Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara National Reserve ..
6 Days Amboseli Masai Mara Fly in Safari
The spectacular Amboseli Reserve & Masai Mara Reserve. Aerial views of Kenya's varied landscapes including the Great Rift Valley. Spectacular wildlife throughout the Mara on game drives. 4 x 4 safari vehicles for your comfort and safety.
7 Days Kenya Wildlife Viewing Luxury Safari
Book an African safari to Kenya s major National Parks for 6 nights and 7 days to Samburu, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara National Reserve ....
8 Days Kenya Annual Migration Luxury Safari
Plan and book your Great Migration safari to Kenya and see the annual Great Wildebeest Masai Mara Migration. The herds arrive in Kenya in late July / August, where they stay for the remainder of the dry season.
4 Days Masai Wilderbeest Migration Safari
The annual migration of wildlife between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya takes place between July and October. The migration generally begins in early April, May and June, when the calves are strong enough and the journey north begins while at Serengeti.
7 Days Best of kenya Tented Camp Safari
7 days 5 National parks Kenya beach areas to Nairobi safari tour across Amboseli National Park, rift valley Lakes Naivasha & Nakuru and including the Masai Mara.
7 Days Kenya Wilderbeest Migration GRP Safari
The Annual Great Migration in Africa is an event like no other wildlife experience. The migration generally begins in early April, May and June, when the calves are strong enough and the journey north begins while at Serengeti..
7 Days Kenya Private Lodge Safari
This Tour takes you to the North of Kenya and Samburu National Reserve. The tour tour offers unique vistas of rounded, rugged hills and undulating plains. Lake Naivasha has a mix of wood and grassland with forest and swamp home to a wide variety of animal and bird-life, Buffalo Springs records
7 Days Kenya Wildlife Viewing Luxury Safari
7 Days/ 6 Nights Kenya Kenya Wildlife Safari offers you the joys of observing prolific wildlife on game drives most stunning parks and reserves, and learn the ways of the Maasai by visiting them in their village.
8 Days Kenya Annual Migration Tented Camp Safari
Plan and book your Great Migration safari to Kenya and see the annual Great Wildebeest Masai Mara Migration. The herds arrive in Kenya in late July / August, where they stay for the remainder of the dry season.