Lake Naivasha National Park is a constant gift of surprise, colour, and nature’s bounty. Known for its prolific birdlife and abundance of hippos, this freshwater lake is a premier destination and one of the best places to visit on a Kenya safari.
Travelers have a great deal to explore, from the lake itself to rich acacia forests, with nearby attractions including dramatic waterfalls, gorges, and the volcanic landscape of Mount Longonot. Here’s a guide to making the most of a Lake Naivasha National Park safari.
Lake Naivasha National Park at a Glance
Lake Naivasha National Park is situated on the Rift Valley floor, outside the town of Naivasha in Nakuru County, 90 kilometres northwest of Nairobi. It is a designated Ramsar wetland site consisting of a shallow high-altitude freshwater lake whose sterling blue waters are home to hippos, a variety of birds and other aquatic animals, fringed by Acacia woodland.
The lake is fed by the permanent Malewa and Gilgil rivers, as well as the seasonal Karati River, which all drain the Aberdare Mountains, along with substantial groundwater seepage. Because it has no surface outlet, it is believed that a combination of underground outflow and the uptake of salts keeps the lake fresh, unlike other closed lakes in the eastern Rift Valley.
The park is a beautiful spectacle of acacia trees and flower farms awash with roses and carnations. The lake acts as a life-giving watering hole for buffalo, eland, impala, and waterbuck, so expect excellent game viewing.
Lake Naivasha National Park offers spectacular views of the beautiful Rift Valley escarpment making it an ideal destination for travelers looking for a fresh environment to enjoy themselves in. It is also possible to combine Lake Naivasha National Park with other destinations along the Great Rift Valley, such as the nearby Hell’s Gate National Park and Lake Nakuru National Park.
Wildlife in Lake Naivasha National Park
Lake Naivasha National Park is home to over 100 mammal species, including buffalo, zebras, waterbucks, giraffes, wildebeest, and hippos, which visitors often view on boat rides or walking safaris on Crescent Island.
The park is a major birding destination in Kenya, boasting more than 400 bird species, both endemic and migratory, including kingfishers, flamingos, African fish eagles, herons, red-chested cuckoos, and ring-necked doves.
Lake Naivasha Highlights & Activities
- A popular and convenient quick stop for travelers out of Nairobi on their way to the Masai Mara.
- Superb opportunities to see large wildlife on foot.
- With a prolific birdlife, it offers excellent bird-watching opportunities.
- Opportunities for hikes in Hell’s Gate, Mount Longonot, and the Green Crater Lake
- Walking safaris on Crescent Island
- Enjoy biking or horse riding past zebras, giraffes, and antelopes
Best Time to Visit Lake Naivasha
The best time to visit Lake Naivasha National Park is between June and October (long, cool dry season) and December and February, when there is virtually no rain, making it easier to spot wildlife because of thin vegetation.
March to May is the wet season, which means more thundershowers but also fewer crowds and low-season discounts. Short, heavy downpours characterize the wet season, which can be hot and humid. Overall, Lake Naivasha National Park is a destination travelers can visit all year round.
How to Get to Lake Naivasha National Park
Lake Naivasha National Park is only a short trip and easily accessible from Nairobi, the capital. The 90-kilometer road trip takes around 1.5 to 2 hours along the Old Naivasha Road (A104/C88).
Sample Trips
