Lake Naivasha National Park Tourism (2024) - Kenya > Top Places, Travel Guide

Lake Naivasha National Park Travel Packages

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7 Days / 6 Nights

Glorious Kenya Tour Package: Masai Mara, Ambose...

Nairobi(1N) → Amboseli(2N) → Lake Naivasha(1N) → Masai Mara(2N)

$ 2,127

17% off

$1,748/person

4 Days / 3 Nights

Lake Naivasha Tour Package: 3-Night Adventure w...

Nairobi (1N) → Lake Naivasha National Park (1N) → Hell’s Gate National Park (1N) → Nairobi (0N)

$ 989

17% off

$816/person

6 Days / 5 Nights

6-Day All-Inclusive Kenya Safari Expedition

Nairobi (0N) → Amboseli (2N) → Lake Naivasha (1N) → Masai Mara (2N) → Nairobi (0N)

$ 1,882

19% off

$1,521/person

9 Days / 8 Nights

Kenya Masai Mara Package: 9-Days with Wildlife ...

Nairobi (1N) → Masai Mara(3N) → Lake Nakuru National Park(1N) → Lake Naivasha(1N) → Amboseli National park (2N)

$ 2,489

3% off

$2,398/person

7 Days / 6 Nights

Kenya's 7-Day Wildlife Adventure and Lake Naiva...

Nairobi (1N) → Lake Nakuru (1N) → Lake Victoria (1N) → Masai Mara (2N) → Lake Naivasha (1N) → Nairobi (0N)

$ 2,279

8% off

$2,081/person

9 Days / 8 Nights

Exploring Wildlife through Kenya Safari Package...

Nairobi (0N) → Masai Mara (2N) → Lake Nakuru (1N) → Lake Naivasha (1N) → Amboseli (2N) → Tsavo West (1N) → Tsavo East (1N) → Nairobi (0N)

$ 2,864

14% off

$2,442/person

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Lake Naivasha National Park Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Best Time: July - October Read More

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"Haven for Hippos and Flamingos"

Lake Naivasha National Park Tourism

Lake Naivasha National Park, located in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, is famous for having the only freshwater lake in the area. It is home to abundant wildlife, especially hippos and flamingos, with over 1,500 hippos living there. The scenic beauty of the lake, with the backdrop of the towering Mau Escarpment, offers a serene and visually captivating experience. Besides Lake Naivasha, the park has thick forests of unique Umbrella Acacia trees, an old volcano, and two other lakes - Lake Oloiden and Lake Sonachi

The park may not have the Big Five, but it's still home to various wildlife like zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and more. It's famous for its rich birdlife, with over 400 species including flamingos and African fish eagles. Visitors can explore the park on boat safaris, guided walks, and cycling tours. Plus, it boasts Kenya's largest green crater lake nestled in Mount Longonot volcano.

Often combined with nearby attractions like Hell’s Gate National Park, known for its dramatic cliffs and geothermal activity, and Crescent Island, a private sanctuary where visitors can walk among giraffes, zebras, and antelopes it is perfect for a complete safari experience.

For those interested in the local culture, visiting the nearby town of Naivasha offers a glimpse into the vibrant community life, with local markets and craft shops showcasing the region's unique handicrafts. Accommodations range from luxury lodges to budget-friendly campsites, ensuring a comfortable stay for all types of travelers. Located approximately 90 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, its proximity makes it a convienient getaway.

Entrance Fees to Lake Naivasha:

There is no entrance fee to Lake Naivasha. However, there are entry fees and additional charges for activities in the park:

Lake Naivasha Boat Ride – USD 5 per person
Mount Longonot – USD 26 per person
Crescent Island – USD 30 per person

Crater Lake Game Sanctuary:
Citizen: Adult – KSH 800, Child - KSH 400
Residents: Adult – KSh 1100, Child – KSH 550
Non Residents: Adult – USD 33, Child – USD 16

Entrance Gates and Timings to Lake Naivasha:

Lake Naivasha National Park has one main entrance gate, which is open throughout the year for visitors. The park timings are typically from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM. The entrance gate is closest to the town of Naivasha, which provides easy access to the park.

1. Game Drives

The park provides guided game drives where visitors can explore the park's diverse wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and hippos. Game drives typically last for a few hours and can be cu (Read More)stomized based on visitors' preferences.

2. Boat Ride on Lake Naivasha

Visitors can enjoy scenic boat safaris on Lake Naivasha, providing an opportunity to spot hippos, various bird species, and other aquatic wildlife. These safaris usually last for about one to two hour (Read More)s, offering a unique perspective of the lake's ecosystem.

3. Walking Safaris

Guided walking safaris allow visitors to explore the park on foot, offering a more intimate experience with nature. These safaris can range from a couple of hours to a full day, depending on the chose (Read More)n itinerary and level of activity.

4. Crescent Island

This private game sanctuary within Lake Naivasha allows visitors to walk among wildlife in a natural and intimate setting. With no predators, it's a safe opportunity to get up close to animals like gi (Read More)raffes, zebras, wildebeests, and antelopes. The best time to visit is during the early morning or late afternoon when animals are most active.

A dormant volcano, Mount Longonot offers adventurous hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts. The hike takes you through forests and up to the crater rim, rewarding you with panoramic views of the surro (Read More)unding landscapes. It is best to start the hike early in the morning to avoid the midday heat and enjoy the cooler temperatures.

Known for its dramatic landscapes and geothermal features, Hell's Gate offers thrilling activities such as cycling, rock climbing, and nature walks. You can explore the towering cliffs, deep gorges, a (Read More)nd hot springs within the park. The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense midday heat.

Timings: Lake Naivasha National Park gates are open from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM throughout the year.
Nature Walks: Nature walks are only allowed on Crescent Island as it is not fenced and the animals walk around freely.
Transportation to Crescent Island: Crescent Island can be reached by boat or by a 4x4 vehicle. However since the animals use the road, it is not usable, especially during the rainy season. It is open from 08:30 AM to 05:30 PM.
Boat Safari: A boat ride on Lake Naivasha is a must-do activity, available from 07:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM.
Pre-Booking: It is advisable to pre-book activities, tours, or attractions in advance, especially during peak seasons
Flamingos in Lake Naivasha: Lake Naivasha attracts both lesser and greater flamingos during the rainy season from November to May.
Health Precautions: Due to its location in a malaria-prone area, it is important to take necessary precautions and ensure you have received all recommended vaccinations before visiting Naivasha.
Duration of Visit: One day is usually sufficient to visit Lake Naivasha National Park. Hence, it is recommended to combine it with other national parks nearby such as Hells Gate National Park.

(Read More)

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Wildlife in the Lake Naivasha National Park

Lake Naivasha National Park is known for its diverse wildlife, attracting nature lovers. The lake is home to over 1,500 hippos, which can be seen up close during Lake Naivasha boat ride. Another highlight of the lake is its population of flamingos.

The park is home to many mammals, such as zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, impalas, waterbucks, buffalos, warthogs, and monkeys. Guided walks on Crescent Island let you see smaller animals and enjoy lake views. You can also find Masai giraffes, bat-eared foxes, dik-diks, bushbucks, spring hares, vervet monkeys, and white-tailed mongooses in the area.

Travel Tips for Lake Naivasha

Currency Consideration: It is advisable to carry a small amount of the local currency, the Kenyan Shilling (KES), for convenient payment of groceries and smaller purchases where credit cards may not be accepted.
Boat Rides: Avoid boat rides in the late afternoon and evening when the lake can become rough.
How Deep is Lake Naivasha: Lake Naivasha has an average depth of 6 meters (20 ft). Its deepest point is at Crescent Island, reaching a maximum depth of 30 meters (98 ft).

Birds of Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha in Kenya is a great place for birdwatching, with over 400 bird species. The thick vegetation around the lake helps support this diverse bird population. There are over 80 types of waterbirds, with lots of Paleartic ducks, especially in November and February. The lake is well-known for having lots of African Fish Eagles nesting in the nearby Acacia trees.

At Lake Naivasha, you can see birds like the Fulvous Whistling-Duck, White-backed Duck, Egyptian Goose, Garganey, and Blue-billed Teal. The Helmeted Guineafowl is common among guineafowl species. Visitors might also see Coqui Francolin and Common Quail among the pheasants and grouse.

The lake is renowned for its flamingo population, both Greater and Lesser Flamingos are frequently seen. Various grebes, including the Little Grebe, can be found in the area. Pigeons and doves such as the Speckled Pigeon and Mourning Collared-Dove are also common.

Cuckoos, nightjars, and swifts add to the avian spectacle at Lake Naivasha, with species like the Red-chested Cuckoo, Eurasian Nightjar, and Common Swift. Rails, gallinules, and coots are represented by birds like the African Rail, Red-knobbed Coot, and African Swamphen.

Birdwatchers can also observe a variety of storks, cormorants, and pelicans, including the Great White Pelican and Marabou Stork. Herons, egrets, and ibises frequent the lake's shores, with species like the Black-headed Heron, Great Egret, and Glossy Ibis.

Birds of prey are also abundant, with raptors like the African Fish-Eagle, Augur Buzzard, and Black Kite soaring above the lake. Owls, such as Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, can be spotted in the surrounding woodlands.

Other bird families represented at Lake Naivasha include kingfishers, bee-eaters, rollers, barbets, and woodpeckers. Additionally, various species of warblers, flycatchers, shrikes, starlings, and sparrows contribute to the diverse birdlife of the area.

Lake Nakuru vs Lake Naivasha

Lake Nakuru is known for its soda lake and national park, famous for its large flocks of flamingos, while Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake favoured by fish-eating birds.

Lake Nakuru boasts a vast bird population, including millions of flamingos that create a pink spectacle along its shores. It's also a rhino sanctuary, home to both black and white rhinos, as well as other wildlife like lions, giraffes, and waterbucks.

On the other hand, Lake Naivasha is celebrated for its serene beauty and diverse birdlife, with over 400 bird species, including fish eagles, herons, and pelicans. Visitors can enjoy boat safaris to explore the lake's islands and spot hippos and various waterfowl species. Crescent Island, a wildlife sanctuary within Lake Naivasha, offers walking safaris where you can get up close to giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests.

Best Time to Visit Lake Naivasha National Park

How to Reach Lake Naivasha National Park

How to Reach Overview

The most preferred mode of transportation to reach Lake Naivasha National Park from Nairobi is by road which is at a distance of 90 kilometres. However, the park can be reached by various modes, including air, road, and rail.

How to reach Lake Naivasha National Park by flight

The nearest airport to Lake Naivasha is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, which is approximately 85 kilometres away. For the ones looking to travel within Kenya, Nairobi Wilson Airport is also at the same distance from the park.

From the airport, visitors can hire a taxi or arrange for a private transfer to the park. The journey by road takes around 2-3 hours, depending on the traffic and road conditions.

How to reach Lake Naivasha National Park by road

From Nairobi, visitors can take the A104 highway and follow the signs towards Naivasha. The distance is approximately 90 kilometres, and the drive takes around 2.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Private vehicles, rental cars, and taxis are popular options for reaching the park by road.

How to reach Lake Naivasha National Park by train

There is no direct railway connection to Lake Naivasha National Park. However, visitors can take a train from Nairobi to Naivasha town, which is located near the park. The train journey takes approximately 2 hours, and from Naivasha town, visitors can hire a taxi or use local transportation to reach the park, which is a short distance away.

How to reach Lake Naivasha National Park by bus

Within Lake Naivasha, local transportation options include taxis, matatus (minibuses), and boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis). These can be used to explore nearby attractions or to travel within the park. The cost of local transportation varies depending on the distance and type of vehicle, but it is advisable to negotiate the fare or confirm it beforehand.

Most frequently searched routes to Lake Naivasha National Park

Route Name	Distance	Time	More Information
Nairobi to Lake Naivasha National Park	90.4 km	1 hr 49 min	View Details

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