Lake Naivasha
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Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha

Freshwater Rift Valley lake northwest of Nairobi, rich with hippos, birds, flower farms, and nearby Hell's Gate

Lake Naivasha is one of Kenya's few freshwater lakes, sitting at about 1,880 metres in the Rift Valley northwest of Nairobi. The lake and its shores support a rich concentration of wildlife — hippos are common in the shallows, and the birdlife is exceptional, with over 400 species recorded in the area.

The lake makes a good base for exploring the southern Rift Valley. Hell's Gate National Park is nearby and accessible on foot or by bicycle, and the region is dotted with flower farms that produce a significant share of Europe's cut flowers. Crescent Island and Elsamere are the standout stops on the south shore.

Guide

Things to Do

The lake and its surroundings offer a mix of wildlife viewing, walking, and history.

Crater Lake, on the western side, sits inside a small game sanctuary — a peaceful spot with colobus monkeys and good birdwatching. Crescent Island, reachable by boat from the lakeshore, is a private wildlife sanctuary where you can walk freely among zebras, giraffes, and wildebeest with no fences.

Elsamere, the former home of Joy Adamson (author of Born Free), is now a conservation centre about 2 km past Fisherman's Camp on the Lake Road. It is open to the public for afternoon tea and has a small museum about Adamson's work with lions and cheetahs.