In this article, we cover the Best Things To Do At Lake Naivasha. Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in Kenya, outside the town of Naivasha in Nakuru County. Lake Naivasha is characterized by picturesque views, from volcanic landscapes to papyrus swamps, wild game and over 450 bird species. Mount Longonot and Olkaria Geothermal Complex are visible on the south and Crater Lake lies on the west side of the lake. Naivasha is derived from the Maasai word, ‘Enaiposha’ which means ‘heaving’ or ‘rough water’. The Maasai named it so because the waters tend to be unpredictable – afternoon wind and rain storms cause the lake to produce high waves.
Lake Naivasha shores provided lush pasture for Maasai cattle herds until Laiboni Ole Gilisho gave it up to the British. What followed was an influx of white settlers who used the lake as a landing for their flying boats. This freshwater lake has never gone back to the Maasai; it is now protected and serves as a tourist attraction to locals and foreigners alike. It is nestled above the Kenyan Rift lying at 1,890m above sea level and surrounded by volcanic rock and sedimentary deposits. The area surrounding the lake has two smaller lakes – Oloiden and Sonachi, the latter being a bright green crater lake.
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 crowds, you should visit during the week or spend a few days in the area as part of a wider itinerary.
Lake Naivasha is a short distance from Hell’s Gate National Park and a taxi journey should take less than an hour. Some travellers choose to pair these attractions. Lake Naivasha is famous for its high population 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 near Lake Naivasha, around Crescent Island, Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, and Longonot National Park. Lucky adventurers may even glimpse a leopard.
Best Things To Do At Lake Naivasha
1. Boat Rides
Boat safaris on Lake Naivasha allow you to get close to the different bird species. Once in a while, you will see hippos lazing in the swampy areas. Boat tours are offered by most of the resorts found by the lakeside like Fisherman’s Camp, Crayfish Camp, Elsamere and Camp Carnelly. For sport, the guide will bring a fish and toss it into the water so that you can witness the eagle catching it. Boating mishaps are common so ensure that you wear your life jacket and that your guide has radio contact with the shore. It is best to start this 60-minute ride at 8:00 am before the sun gets hot. Slather on some sunscreen and insect repellant to keep mosquitoes away and enjoy the trip.
Prices vary depending on the operator, type of boat, and duration of the ride. Expect to pay between Ksh 1,500 to Kah 4,000 per person.
2. Visit Crescent Island
Crescent Island is Naivasha’s best-kept secret and is accessible by boat and road across the swampy causeway from Sanctuary Farm. In 1988, the water in Lake Naivasha dropped significantly which allowed the creation of Crescent Island. Because this animal and bird sanctuary has more animals per acre than any other Kenyan park, a lot of films have been shot of waterbucks, wildebeests, and zebras at this location. Giraffes, hippos, pythons, buffaloes, and hyenas frequent Crescent Island, some to graze and others to calve. This sanctuary opens its doors from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and guided walks take about 3 hours.
Crescent Island Entry Fees
- Citizens: KES 750 (adults) / KES 400 (children)
- Residents: KES 1,000 (adults) / KES 500 (children)
- Non-residents: USD 35 (adults) / USD 20 (children)
3. Tour Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
The Crater Lake Game Sanctuary is located approximately 20 kilometres from Naivasha town and can be accessed by road. It is a 2-hour drive from Nairobi, and there are also regular flights from Nairobi to Naivasha. 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 breathtaking views. Night game drives can be organised at Crater Lake, and they are a great opportunity to see leopards, aardvarks, caracals, and many other elusive species.
Entrance fee: The entrance fee for the sanctuary is Ksh 1,200 for non-residents and Ksh 800 for residents.
4. Visit Longonot National Park
Longonot National Park is 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.
Entrance fee: The entrance fee for Longonot National Park is Ksh 350 for citizens, Ksh 600 for residents, and USD 26 for non-residents. Additional fees may apply for camping, hiking, and other activities.
5. Visit Elsamere Conservation Centre and Lodge
The Elsamere Conservation Centre and Lodge is a wildlife sanctuary and eco-lodge located on the shores of Lake Naivasha in Kenya. 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.
Entrance fee: The entrance fee for the Elsamere Conservation Centre is Ksh 1,500 for adults and Ksh 800 for children. This includes a guided tour of the museum and a nature walk in the sanctuary.
6. Bird Watching
Lake Naivasha is a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 450 species of birds recorded in the area. Some of the most popular birds to see are the fish eagle, cormorants, kingfishers, and flamingos.
7. Visit Hell’s Gate National Park
The park is a great destination for hikers and rock climbers. It is also known for its scenic views of the Great Rift Valley and hot springs.
8. Visit the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park
This is a popular destination for wildlife lovers, with over 400 bird species and large populations of rhinos and lions.
9. Enjoy a picnic
There are several picnic sites around the lake where you can relax and enjoy a meal while taking in the beautiful scenery.
10. Take a nature walk
Lake Naivasha is surrounded by a lush forest, which is home to a variety of wildlife. Take a nature walk to explore the forest and see the different species of animals and plants that call it their home.
Lake Naivasha Entrance Fees
| Citizen – Kenya | Charges |
| Adult | Ksh 300 |
| Child | Ksh 215 |
| Residents – East Africa | Charges |
| Adult | Ksh 700 |
| Child | Ksh 350 |
| Non-Residents | Charges |
| Adult | 35 USD |
| Child | 20 USD |
Overall, Lake Naivasha is a beautiful and important natural resource in Kenya, attracting tourists from around the world and providing important resources to the local community.
