Nakuru County · Great Rift Valley
Lake Naivasha
A freshwater Rift Valley lake, and the usual place a Kenyan circuit slows down.
- Country
- Kenya
- Typical access
- Road from Nairobi, Nakuru or the Maasai Mara
- Usual stay
- 1 night
- Terrain
- Freshwater lake, fever-tree woodland, volcanic cliffs at Hell's Gate
Overview
What Lake Naivasha is.
Naivasha is fresh water rather than alkaline, which gives it fig and acacia woodland along the shore, large hippo populations and an unusually rich birdlife.
It functions differently from the parks around it. Most Ndurumo routes use Naivasha as a change of pace — a boat ride, a walk, a slower afternoon — between longer driving sectors.
Hell's Gate National Park is next door and is one of the very few Kenyan parks you can walk or cycle in, because there are no resident large predators in the main gorge area.
Wildlife
What you are likely to see.
- Hippo, in large numbers along the shore
- Fish eagle, pelican, cormorant and more than 400 recorded bird species
- Giraffe, zebra, eland and waterbuck on Crescent Island and in the surrounding sanctuaries
- Colobus monkey in the lakeside forest
Experiences
How the days work here.
Boat ride on the lake
A short boat trip for hippo and birdlife. Ndurumo's itineraries list this as an optional extra paid locally.
Hell's Gate National Park
Walking among the cliffs and the Ol Njorowa gorge, with optional cycling. Bicycle hire is available at the park, subject to current local rates.
Crescent Island
A walking sanctuary on the lake, with plains game and no large predators.
Best time to visit
When to come to Lake Naivasha.
- June – OctoberDry, comfortable for walking and cycling.
- January – MarchDry and warm.
- April – May, NovemberRains. Green and quiet; gorge walks can be restricted after heavy rain.
Where you stay
Our shortlist at each level.
Properties Ndurumo may recommend or use at each level. Final accommodation is confirmed with your quotation and remains subject to availability.
Budget
Leisure Apex
Midrange
Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort
Luxury
Loldia House
Routes that include Lake Naivasha
Safaris through here.
Kenya · 5 daysclassic safari
5 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha Safari
Two safari parks and a freshwater lake, at a pace that leaves room to breathe.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Nairobi
Kenya · 6 daysclassic safari
6 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Lake Bogoria Private Safari
A Rift Valley lakes circuit, ending at the hot springs and flamingos of Bogoria.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Lake Baringo & Bogoria · Nairobi
Kenya · 7 daysclassic safari
7 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Amboseli Safari
A full week across Kenya's Rift Valley and south to Kilimanjaro's shadow.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Amboseli · Nairobi
Kenya · 8 daysclassic safari
8 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli & Tsavo East Private Safari
The broad Kenyan circuit, ending in the red-earth wilderness of Tsavo.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Amboseli · Tsavo East · Nairobi
Kenya & Tanzania · 9 daysclassic safari
9 Days Kenya & Tanzania: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Arusha, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro
The Kenyan Rift Valley, then across the border to Manyara and the crater.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Namanga · Arusha · Lake Manyara · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Questions
About Lake Naivasha.
Is the boat ride included?
Not in the standard Ndurumo itineraries. It is listed as an optional activity paid locally, and we will confirm the current rate for your dates.
Plan your safari
Build a trip around Lake Naivasha.
Tell us your dates and how long you have, and we will shape a route that gives Lake Naivasha the time it deserves.