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Lake Naivasha Safari - Compare 1,019 Tours

Lake Naivasha is where many different Kenyas come together, and it’s a really good place to gain a deeper understanding of the nation. There’s the beauty of the landscape: This is one of the prettiest of the country’s Rift Valley lakes, especially around the quieter northern shore. It’s also the kind of place that still carries echoes of the time when it was a playground for larger-than-life colonial types. To this day, it’s still popular with locals from Nakuru or even Nairobi. There’s wildlife not very far away, too. And there are lots of different activities to consider for your trip, especially on weekends when it can seem as if all of Kenya has come here to play.

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6 Questions About Lake Naivasha Safaris

1. What national parks are easily combined with Lake Naivasha?
2. What activities are possible at Lake Naivasha?
3. How much time do I need for a Lake Naivasha tour?
4. Which animals can I see at Lake Naivasha?
5. Can I connect from Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru or Masai Mara easily by road?
6. What is the cost of a Lake Naivasha safari?
 
 

6 Questions About Lake Naivasha Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

What national parks are easily combined with Lake Naivasha?

“The closest national park to Lake Naivasha is Hell’s Gate National Park. The park entrance is little more than 1km/0.6mi south of the lakeshore. That said, Hell’s Gate is best known for its activities, rather than its wildlife. A two-hour drive (or 80km/50mi) north of Naivasha is Lake Nakuru National Park, which is the closest of Kenya’s big wildlife destinations. Lake Naivasha itself has some wildlife and plenty of birding possibilities. At or near the lake, a visit to Crescent Island or Crater Lake Game Sanctuary offers some wildlife viewing opportunities. But you don’t really visit Lake Naivasha for the animals; it’s a different kind of experience to most safari tours and is usually combined with other parks not far away. ”

1

What activities are possible at Lake Naivasha?

“The most popular excursion at Lake Naivasha is a boat trip out onto the lake. Apart from the beauty of the natural surroundings, you might also see hippos and perhaps even flamingos. Another popular choice is a visit to a local flower farm. Lake Naivasha is the epicenter of Kenya’s cut flower industry, with many flowers reaching Europe on charter flights within hours of being cut. You could also visit charming Elsamere, a museum and guesthouse that was once the home of Joy Adamson, one of the main real-life characters in the ‘Born Free’ story. For something a little more energetic, you could also go rock climbing, cycling and even hiking in Hell’s Gate National Park, not far from Lake Naivasha’s southern shore. You can go walking on Crescent Island, or go looking for flamingos on Lake Oloiden, which is just off Lake Naivasha’s southwestern corner, as well.”

2

How much time do I need for a Lake Naivasha tour?

“It is possible to enjoy much of Lake Naivasha’s charms in a single day. You could, for example, drive all the way around the lake in a couple of hours, although you’ll want to take longer than that by stopping at various points along the way. You could also easily fit in a visit to Elsamere and a flower farm on the same day. You could, of course, spend much longer around Lake Naivasha by enjoying some of the activities on offer. A boat excursion on the lake is best done close to sunrise or sunset, meaning you’ll probably want to stay overnight nearby. To get the most out of Crescent Island and Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, you’ll need a little more time. And to really enjoy all of Hell’s Gate’s activities it’s probably best to allow another entire day.”

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Which animals can I see at Lake Naivasha?

“You won’t see much wildlife on your Lake Naivasha holiday, although most visitors see hippos, either on a boat excursion, or wandering through the camps and gardens along the lakeshore close to sunset or after dark. The birding is also excellent; watch especially for flamingos at Lake Oloiden. At both Crescent Island and Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, there’s a good chance you’ll see zebra, giraffe, waterbuck and impala. Leopard is also present at both places, but very rarely seen. If you visit Hell’s Gate, which is really close to Lake Naivasha, watch for zebra, buffalo, giraffe, impala and, in the rocky walls of the escarpment (very long, steep cliff) and other outcrops, rock hyrax. A little farther away, Lake Nakuru has tree-climbing lions, leopard, rhino, buffalo and Rothschild’s giraffe.”

4

Can I connect from Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru or Masai Mara easily by road?

“Yes, both Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara are easy to reach by road from Lake Naivasha. Lake Nakuru lies just 80km/50mi by road along the A104 from Lake Naivasha. The only downside is that this is one of Kenya’s busiest roads and traffic can be heavy, meaning that the journey can take up to two hours. And you shouldn’t travel this road after dark, due to the risk of accidents. But otherwise, it’s an easy drive between two top attractions. To get to the Masai Mara from Lake Naivasha, you have two options. If you are going to Lake Nakuru first, you can then take the road via Njoro, which is 192km/119mi (around four hours from Lake Nakuru) and takes you to the northern Masai Mara. If you’re not going to Lake Nakuru first, it’s around 216km/134mi (also four hours) from Lake Naivasha to the Masai Mara via Narok.”

5

What is the cost of a Lake Naivasha safari?

“If you just visit Lake Naivasha on a day trip, then it might be possible to find something for US$70 to US$100 per person. Of course, a private tour will cost more than a group trip with a number of other participants. If you decide to stay overnight at one of the luxury accommodation choices scattered around the lakeshore, the cost of your accommodation is likely to be the major cost: some places charge as much as US$800 per person per night. There are, of course, many other places to stay around the lake, right down to budget campsites. If you do decide to visit one of the nearby national parks, remember to factor the park entry fees into your overall costs. Hells Gate costs US$27/15 per adult/child per day, while Lake Nakuru costs US$50/25 per adult/child per day. You will also need to add the cost of any activities into your calculations.”

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