A freshwater lake of hippos and fish eagles, with cycling and walking safari at the adjacent Hell's Gate gorge. A serene one-night stop between Nairobi and the Mara.
The rift valley's freshwater jewel
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake at 1,884 m altitude, ringed by acacia and yellow-fever fever-tree forests. It's the highest of Kenya's rift valley lakes, and arguably the most peaceful. Hippos crowd the shoreline. Fish eagles wheel overhead. Boat trips at sunset slip past pods of hippos and over 400 species of birds.
Hell's Gate National Park
Just south of the lake sits one of Kenya's most unusual parks, Hell's Gate. Because it has no large predators (no lions or leopards), you can walk and cycle through the gorge, past zebra, giraffe, eland and warthog. The dramatic red-rock cliffs and steaming geothermal vents inspired the landscapes in Disney's The Lion King.
Why include Naivasha
- Bridge between Nairobi and the Mara (3 hrs to either)
- Walking and cycling safari at Hell's Gate, rare in Kenya
- Boat ride with hippos and fish eagles
- Crescent Island walk, a sanctuary you can stroll among zebra and giraffe
- Day-trip-able from Nairobi for short visits
Activities
- Boat trip on Lake Naivasha (~$30 pp)
- Cycle through Hell's Gate (bikes ~$15/day)
- Walk Crescent Island ($30 pp)
- Visit Elsamere Conservation Centre (Joy Adamson's former home)
