Dubbed the “sheer Adventure”, Lake Naivasha National Park is set within the raised parts of the Great Rift Valley Floor. It was named after the freshwater Lake in the heart of the National Park, outside the Town of Naivasha in Nakuru County.
Location of Lake Naivasha National Park.
Lake Naivasha National Park is found outside the beautiful Town of Naivasha in Nakuru County, approximately 80 kilometers north-west of Nairobi City. The Lake was derived from the word “Nai’posha”, a local Masai word for “rough water”, owing to the abrupt storms that can arise. The Lake is also set at the highest altitude of the Kenyan part of the Great Rift Valley at about 1884 meters above sea level in a complex geological combination of sedimentary deposits as well as volcanic rocks from the Pleistocene Era.
This wonderful National Park is surrounded by other two small Lakes that include Sonachi and Oloidien. These Lakes ate also referred as the “Green Crater Lakes”.
History of Lake Naivasha National Park
Lake Naivasha was originally used as a landing place for flying boasts on the Imperial Airways passenger as well as mail route from Southampton in Britain to South Africa between 1937 and 1950. It was designated a UNESCO Ramsar Wetland on the 10th April 1995 and extends for over 140 square kilometers.
Unique Attractions within Lake Naivasha National Park
Lake Naivasha National Park is endowed with numerous attractions, which make it a perfect stop point for short safaris. Given the closeness of this Park to Hell’s Gate National Park, these destinations can be combined during Kenya safaris. The following are the unique tourist attractions within Lake Naivasha National Park;
Wildlife
The deep blue shores of Lake Naivasha and the surrounding Acacia forests on its shores, savannah plains, gorges and extinct Volcano offer shelter to more than 100 species of birds. Some of the animals to expect here are Masai giraffes, Burchell’s zebras, leopards, Cape buffaloes, wildebeests, Hippos, lions, spotted hyenas, impalas, gazelles, bushbucks and many more. Wildlife species in this Park can be viewed by horseback ride, vehicle and on foot and can be done throughout the year.
Wide array of bird species.
Lake Naivasha National Park is one of the two phenomenal places in magical Kenya listed as “Wetland of International importance in the Ramsar Convention.
It shelters more than 350 species of birds that are supported by the varying vegetation types-wetland vegetation, savannah to forests. Find the lesser and greater flamingos, lesser spotted eagles, Great crested grebe, Papyrus gonolek, red-knobbed coot, African snipe, Great cormorant, Little egrets, African fish eagles, Maccoa Duck, Speckled moosebirds, Hammerkop, African spoonbill, black kites, weaverbirds, Giant kingfishers, African skimmer, Red-billed fire-finch, Nubian woodpeckers, Abyssinian thrush, Baglafecht weavers, Saddle-billed storks, African darter, African jacana, Hadada Ibis, Great egrets, Grey herons, Madagascar bee-eaters, Common bulbul, verreaux’s eagles, White-backed ducks, grey-crowned cranes, White-headed barbets, Basra Reed warblers, Eurasian thick-knee, Guinea fowls, Egyptian goose, Little Grebe, Grey-crested Helmeted shrike, African gray hornbills, Baillon’s Crake and many others.
Crescent Island.
Crescent Island, a partially submerged rim of an extinct caldera is one of the Private Island Sanctuaries along the Great Rift Valley region and because it is not fenced, wildlife species here roam freely.
Undertaking a boat ride or drive through a narrow swampy road leads you to this magnificent Sanctuary. Here you will find Cape Buffaloes, zebras, elephants and giraffes.
Elsamere.
Elsamere was once the Lakeside home of conservationist Joy Adamson and was named after Elsa, a lioness of “Born free” film. What currently remains of this place is a low-key Museum and Guesthouse serving mouth-watering buffet tea within the lush forest patch occupied by stunning black and white colobus monkeys.
Mount. Longonot.
In the extreme south-east of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley region of Kenya is Mount Longonot, a stratovolcano that is believed to have last erupted in the 1860s. Its name was derived from the word “Olo Nongot” meaning “Mountain of numerous summits” in the Masai dialect. It features a vast Crater rim on its peak with no water and hiking it takes 2-4 hours depending on pace of hiking.
Crater Lake Game Sanctuary.
The Crater Lake Game Sanctuary is set in the mountains and on Lake Naivasha. It is found at the heart of the National Park and is a fantastic birding destination with more than 150 species to look-out for.
The Crater Lake Game Sanctuary is also a haven to several wildlife species that include leopards, zebras, giraffes and many more.
Lake Naivasha.
Lake Naivasha is an excellent tourist attraction within this small National Park and draws numerous animals and bird species closer to its shores. This lake is fringed by verdant forests of the yellow fever tree and abounds with plethora of bird species and draws a wide range of wildlife species to the shores.
TOURIST ACTIVITIES IN LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK.
Game drives.
Game drives in Lake Naivasha National Park offers opportunities of encountering at least half of the 100 wildlife species. Full day game drives are recommended for this Park and can be conducted all year round. The dry season-June to September and December to February is the most perfect time to game drives because grass is short and wildlife species usually gather around the Lake or other water sources with views of Defassa waterbucks, Hippos, zebras, Masai giraffes and wildebeests among others.
Boat cruises.
Boat cruises on Lake Naivasha reward visitors with rich views of Hippos and part of the 350 species of birds that call this park home.
Birding tours.
The wetlands on the shores of the Lake, savannah grasslands and Acacia trees can be explored for Speckled moosebirds, Hammerkop, African spoonbill, black kites, weaverbirds, Giant kingfishers, African skimmer, Red-billed fire-finch, Nubian woodpeckers, Abyssinian thrush, Baglafecht weavers, Saddle-billed storks, African darter, African jacana, Hadada Ibis, Great egrets, Grey herons and many others. This Park is surprisingly one of Kenya’s Important Birding Areas and Paradise that shouldn’t be missed during Kenya safaris.
Horseback rides.
Viewing wildlife species by a horseback ride is one of the extraordinary activities for visitors in Lake Naivasha National Park. Riding a horse in the company of a qualified horse rider makes your experience more rewarding.
Mount Longonot Hike.
Whether you are a first-timer or frequent hiker, Mount. Longonot offers once-in-a lifetime opportunity of hiking to the scenic and vast Crater on the Peak of the Volcano. Being on the peak rewards hikers with the bird-eye views over Lake Naivasha National Park. Hiking lasts 2-4 hours, depending on your level of fitness as well as pace of hiking.
BEST TIME TO VISIT LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK.
Lake Naivasha National Park can be explored throughout the year but all things considered, the recommended time to visit is the dry season-in January, February, June, July, August, September and December when grass is shorter and majority of the animals converge at the water sources including the Lake. This offers remarkable game viewing experiences. Tourists that visit in the months of July to September can combine the safari with a visit to Masai Mara National Reserve to experience the Great Migration.
The heavy rains during the months of March, April, May, October and November bring the much-needed moisture and change the landscape into a spectacular setting with rich flora. Although wildlife species are not concentrated during these months, the season concedes with breeding season of antelopes especially bushbucks and impalas. Migratory bird species are also many in Lake Naivasha National Park during this season.
EXQUISITE PLACES TO STAY WHILE EXPLORING LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK.
Besides the wildlife, birds and other natural attractions, the Lodging options in or around Lake Naivasha National Park contribute to your unforgettable travel experience. Some of the top places to stay here are;
Sawela Lodge
Sawela Lodge is set along the stunning southern shores of Lake Naivasha, approximately 13 kilometers from the Town of Naivasha and 85 kilometers from the City of Nairobi. It boasts of beautiful architectural designs as well as state of art facilities that suit the needs of all travellers. There are 42 luxurious rooms, of which 24 are superior suites while 18 are deluxe rooms.
Enashipai Resort and Spa
This facility offers views of Lake Naivasha, surrounding hills and verdant Tropical gardens spilling over banks of the Lake. The spacious rooms are in form of Garden Executive, Fountain Executive and Villa Executive rooms in addition to the honeymoon suite.
Other places to stay while exploring Lake Naivasha National Park are Bilashaka Lodge, Dove Nest Lodge, Naivasha Peppercorn Holiday Resort, Kiboko Luxury Camp, Lake Naivasha Country Club and Naivasha Sopa among others.
GETTING TO LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK.
Lake Naivasha National Park is nestled within the Rift Valley floor, about 80 kilometers north-west of Nairobi City. This Park can be reached through daily flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Loldia Airstrip, on the western side of Naivasha. The Park can also be reached by car, via a well tarmacked road from Nairobi City.
Other National parks in Kenya are Mount. Kenya, Lake Nakuru, Aberdare, Tsavo East and West, Nairobi and Amboseli National Parks. These parks can be easily combined with Lake Naivasha National Park as part of your extended Kenyan / East African safari.
