
Lake Naivasha National Park
Lake Naivasha National Park, north of Nairobi, just outside the town of the same name, is Lake Naivasha. The park is in Nakuru County and is in Kenya’s Rift Valley, which is known for its beautiful lakes and scenery.
Size
Ramsar Wetland goes all the way around Lake Naivasha, which is 54 square miles in size.
History
When the 1940s came around, seaplanes brought mail from the UK to South Africa over Lake Naivasha. The author of Born Free lived there in the 1960s, and the area has won awards for its excellent protection efforts.
Fees and permits to get in
To get into Lake Naivasha, there are no fees for admission.
When they are open
Lake Naivasha is open to visitors every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
How to Get To Lake Naivasha National Park
By Road
Along the A104 and Old Naivasha Road, it takes about two hours and twenty minutes to get to Lake Naivasha from Nairobi, which is 60 miles north.
By Air
The flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Lake Naivasha leaves every afternoon and lasts for about 15 minutes.
Best Time to Visit Lake Naivasha National Park
Climate and weather
All year long, the average temperature is between 50F and 80F. The winters are dry and cool, and the summers are warm and cloudy because it rains a lot in the summer, mostly in November and December.
Staying away from crowds
One of the best times to visit Lake Naivasha is in the dry winter, so late May and June are good months to think about going. If you want to travel later in the year, September and October are good months to plan your trip. If you want to see flamingos, the best times are during the short rains in November and the long rains in May.
Good Value for Money
Since there is no fee to enter Lake Naivasha and it is close to Nairobi, it is a great place to see wildlife in Kenya.
Wildlife & Landscape of Lake Naivasha National Park
Wildlife Sightings That People Love in Lake Naivasha
Hippos and flamingos of both lesser and greater species can be seen at Lake Naivasha. The lesser and greater species are especially colorful between May and November, when it rains a lot. In Lake Naivasha, you can see warthogs, giraffes, and other antelopes.
The Ground
As it lies on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the area. It is surrounded by mostly papyrus swamps.
Lake Naivasha National Park Safari Experiences
Game Drives
A safari in Lake Naivasha usually includes a game drive early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when you can see plains game and amazing birds like flamingos and cheeky hippos. Taking a boat ride on Lake Naivasha is a great way to see the area and meet the people who live there. There is also the nearby Hells Gate National Park, where game drives can be done to see more wildlife.
Safaris with a guide
Guests who want to learn more about Lake Naivasha and the area can go on an organized bush walk on Crescent Island, which is to the east of Lake Naivasha. Here, you can see wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, and impala, among other animals. You can go for walks on Crescent Island, which is a great way to see small animals and get a great view of Lake Naivasha.
Lake Naivasha National Park Lodging – Distance from park entrance.
There are both bigger lodges (some of which offer country club activities like golf) and smaller luxury camps where you can stay at Lake Naivasha. Most of the lodges and camps are near the lake, so everything you need is right outside your door.
Lodge or Hotel | Distance to park entrance (in miles) |
Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge | 6 miles from Moi S Lake Road turnoff to Lake Naivasha |
Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge | 7 miles from Moi S Lake Road turnoff to Lake Naivasha |
Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp | 1.5 miles from Moi S Lake Road turnoff to Lake Naivasha |
Great Rift Valley Lodge | 7.6 miles from the Moi North Lake Road turnoff to Lake Naivasha |
Lake Naivasha Country Club | 14 miles from Moi S Lake Road turnoff to Lake Naivasha |
Chui Lodge | 16 miles from Moi S Lake Road turnoff to Lake Naivasha |
Kiangazi House | 16.7 miles from the Moi North Lake Road turnoff to Lake Naivasha |
Lake Naivasha Resort | 10 miles from the Moi North Lake Road turnoff to Lake Naivasha |
Sawela Lodge | 8 miles from the Moi North Lake Road turnoff to Lake Naivasha |