Lake Naivasha National Park
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Lake Naivasha is among the few freshwater lakes found in Kenya positioned a few kilometers away from the town of Naivasha. The lake has a surface area of 140 square kilometers and is surrounded by a stunning swamp area that covers an area of 64 square kilometers that provides great sightseeing of bird life. The park is surrounded by other two small lakes that are Lake Oloidied and Lake Sonichi which are called green crater lake.
The park offers a unique feature like a thick forest that sits within the crater of the mountain. And at the rim of the crater, there is a rewardable view across the beautiful Rift Valley all way to Lake Naivasha. Major highlights of wildlife to see at Mount Longonot are buffaloes, Common Zebras, giraffes, elands, lions, leopards, bushbucks, and Grant’s gazelles among others.
Boat rides on Lake Naivasha are refreshing experiences that take you on the cosy breezy lake waters as you explore the unique and diverse flora, birdlife and wildlife on the lake and its surroundings. The guided boat rides on the lake take place daily on the lake; however, they are more exhaustive during the dry seasons. You can take a whole boat ride, half day boat ride or even a few hours boat ride depending on your preference and intent for the boat ride.
General Information
Lake Naivasha National Park also called “Sheer Adventure” is located in the raising part of the great rift valley floor. The park is cantered in the fresh water lake found in the centre of the park. The fresh water lake is called Lake Naivasha which means “rough water” by the locals. Lake Naivasha is a few of the fresh water lakes found in Kenya located just a few kilometers away from the town of Naivasha. It is also one of Kenya’s national parks that are visited oftenly.
The park lies in the Northwest of the capital Nairobi, and it is part of the great rift valley features found in the great rift valley region. The park name is derived from the Maasai word “Naiposha” which means “rough water” because of its unusual sudden storms that arise always. The park is surrounded by other two small lakes those are Lake Oloidien and Lake Sonachi also called the green crater lake.
Lake Naivasha national park has unique features like an extinct volcano called Mount Longonot, a thick forest that is found along the crater Mountain. The park is dominated by Umbrella Acacia trees that are mostly found along the banks of the lake. The park reserve is now taken by the flower growing farms which are exported in most of the international markets.
The national park was established on 10th April 1995, the parks cover an area of 140 square kilometers. The biggest part of the park is covered by the fresh water lake which is not very deep and seasonal. The level of water increases during the rainy season and reduces during the dry season. Lake Naivasha national park is located in the Northwest part of Nairobi along the great Rift Valley region. The park is famous as a birding destination especially along the shores of the lake and also the nearby Hells gate national park.
Lake Naivasha national park takes around one and a half hours drive from the capital Nairobi with great scenic views of the stunning Rift Valley escarpments. The park is an ideal place for one to dodge city life for a fresh new environment. One can relax for one or two days safari at Lake Naivasha national park.
Attractions at Lake Naivasha National Park.
The small Lake Naivasha national park is gifted with a good number of attractions which makes your short safari enjoyful. The park has become a popular destination as transit route differentiates between Lake Naivasha national park and Hells gate since they are next to each other and can be done together at the same day. Below are the key attractions in Lake Naivasha national park:
Boat ride: Boat rides on Lake Naivasha are refreshing experiences that take you on the cosy breezy lake waters as you explore the unique and diverse flora, birdlife and wildlife on the lake and its surroundings. The guided boat rides on the lake take place daily on the lake; however, they are more exhaustive during the dry seasons. You can take a whole boat ride, half day boat ride or even a few hours boat ride depending on your preference and intent for the boat ride.
Elsamere: These are stippled trees with sisal that form the forest along the banks of lake Naivasha. The forest is composed of more tree species like yellow fever trees which got their name from the colour of the trees, Candelabra euphorbia and many more. The park was once a home of the great conservationist Joy Adamson who wrote the popular book Born Free fame.
Crescent Island: This is one of the private Island sanctuary that is found along the great Rift valley region. The Island is not fenced and this makes animals to roam freely around. The island can be reached by boat or by 4×4 wheel drive through the narrow swampy road that leads to the sanctuary. The road is mostly used by buffalos and other animals, it becomes impassable during rainy season. This is one of the few places where nature walks are permitted at the park.
Lake Naivasha: This is the largest attraction at the park, the park was named after the blue lake. The shallow lake is seasonal though very rough during the rainy season. The banks of the lake are covered by papyrus and other forest species that attracts more birds and animals. Birders like boating at Lake Naivasha as they go birding for swamp bird species along the lake.
Mount Longonot: Mount Longnot is an extinct volcano with the height of 2776 meters above sea level. The mountain last erupted in the 1860’s. The mountain which is now days a park of its self was named by Maasai locals with the name Olo Nongot which means the Mountain of Many summits. It has a large crater rim on top with no water, it takes between 2 to 4 hours hike depending on your hiking experience.
Crater Lake Game Sanctuary: With the name Crater lake it shows its size being small but it’s a stunning jade-colored lake formed by the process of volcanic activity. Located in the centre of the park, it’s a key destination of birders with over 150 bird species recorded around the crater game sanctuary alone. Its also home of large wildlife game like giraffes, zebras, leopards, and many more.
Birds: Lake Naivasha national park is one of the two sites listed by Kenya as wetland of international importance under Ramsar Convention) The park has over 350 bird species that is supported by the wide range of vegetation cover ranging from the swamp vegetation to forests. The thick papyrus is a home for more swamp species like weaver birds, gonolek, Palearctic duck, African fish eagles, Oxyura, flamingo, red-knobbed coot, little Greb, African Spoonbill, Porzana pusilla among others.
Animals: Deep blue lakes which are rich in Acacia forests at the lake banks, an extinct volcano and imposing bottomless gorges all bring great drama at Lake Naivasha national park. The park has over 100 species of grazers and hunters. There are both big cats like leopards, lions, and others as well as hippos, giraffes, zebras, buffalo and many more. Animals are seen throughout the year with no migratory history on them. Game viewing can be done on bike, foot, safari van or horse ride.
10 Days (9 Nights): Kenya & Tanzania Adventure
Tour Code: KWS107This safari itinerary covers; Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara Game Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tarangire National Park. Explore Kenya and Tanzania most popular/exotic finest Wildlife Areas. Lake Nakuru National Park is home to White/Black Rhinos and flamingos. Lake Naivasha famous for boat trip. Masai Mara Game Reserve and Serengeti National Park; are popularly termed as the Jewel Parks of Kenya and Tanzania and home to different kinds of Africa wildlife including the Big Five. Ngorongoro Conservation Area for game drives at the floor of the craterand Jumbo Elephants and tree climbing Lions of Tarangire National Park. Tarangire National Park is famous for hosting huge herds of elephants-with the largest Tuskers calling it home and great towering baobab trees. Experience the rich culture of the Maasai people by visiting one of their Villages (Manyatta).
10 Days (9 Nights): Kenya Magical Trail
Tour Code: KWS87This safari itinerary covers; Samburu Game Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara Game Reserve, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Voyager Ziwani Sanctuary and Tsavo East National Park.
Explore the most famous Kenya finest Kenya Parks/Reserves. This Parks/Reserves are home to different kinds of Africa Wildlife including the Big Five and different Bird Species. Experience walking safari/night game drives in Ziwani. Enjoy splendid View of Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro (the highest Mountain in Africa) as well as learn the Samburu/Maasai Cultures by visiting their Villages (Manyatta).
14 Days (13 Nights): Kenya Adventure Trail
Tour Code: KWS88.This safari itinerary covers; Meru National Park, Samburu Game Reserve, Ol Pejeta Conservancy(Sweet Water),Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara Game Reserve. Lake Naivasha, Voyager Ziwani Sanctuary, Tsavo West National Park and East National Park.
Explore the most famous Kenya finest Wildlife Areas/sceneries. These Parks/Reserves are the home to different kinds of Africa wildlife including the Big Five/different Bird Species. Experience walking safari/night game drives in Ziwani. Enjoy splendid View of Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro (the highest Mountain in Africa) as well as learn the Samburu/Maasai Cultures by visiting their Villages (Manyatta).
This safari itinerary covers; Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara Game Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Tsavo East & West National Park and Amboseli National Park. Photographic Safari covers Kenya and Tanzania most popular finest Wildlife Areas. Lake Nakuru National Park is home to White/Black Rhinos and flamingos. Masai Mara Game Reserve and Serengeti National Park; are popularly termed as the Jewel Parks of Kenya and Tanzania and home to different kinds of Africa wildlife including the Big Five, Ngorongoro Conservation Area for its beautiful sceneries, Tsavo East/West National Parks popular for its beautiful sceneries, Shetani Lava flows, Mzima Springs and Rhino Sanctuary and the Red Elephant of Tsavo and Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.; likely to see Black Rhinos, herd of Red Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Giraffes, Zebras, Cheaters, Hippos and different bird species. Experience the rich culture of the Masai people by visiting one of their Villages (Manyatta).
14 Days (13 Nights): Wildlife Safari & Beach Holiday
Code: WKS122This safari/beach holiday itinerary is very fascinating and it covers; Masai Mara Game Reserve, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli National, Tsavo East National Park and Diani Beach. Explore the most famous Kenya finest Parks/Reserves in a short duration. This Parks/Reserve are home to different kinds of African wildlife including the Big Five and different Bird Species. View Mount Kilimanjaro (the highest Mountain in Africa) as well as learn the Maasai Culture by visiting their Villages (Manyatta). Finalize your holiday at Diani Beach, one of the best and finest white sand beaches in Kenya.
This safari itinerary covers; Meru National Park, Samburu Game Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara Game Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Park and Amboseli National Park. Explore the most famous Kenya and Tanzania finest Wildlife Areas/sceneries. These Parks/Reserves are the home to different kinds of Africa wildlife including the Big Five/different Bird Species. Samburu National Reserve is known to offer some of the best sightings of leopards in Kenya and is home to unique wildlife such as the reticulated giraffe, somali ostrich and beisa oryx. Meru National park remains one of the most well preserved National parks offering the true filling of wilderness, the park is home to four of the “Big Five”. The park is famous as the setting for Joy Adamson's book 'Born Free”, the story of the Adamson's life and research amongst lions and cheetahs. Enjoy splendid View of Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro (the highest Mountain in Africa) as well as learn the Samburu/Maasai Cultures at their Villages (Manyatta).
7 Days (6 Nights): AmbomaraTrial
Code: WKS057This safari itinerary covers Amboseli National Park; at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Lake Nakuru National Park, which is termed as the home to White and Black Rhinos as well as Flamingos. Masai Mara Game Reserve; the Jewel Park of Kenya. Spot the black manned lions, Elephants, Rhino, Cheetah, Leopard, Buffaloes and Antelopes. Experience the rich culture of the Maasai people by visiting one of their Villages (Manyatta).
7 Days (6 Nights): Kibo Safari
Tour Code: WKS00014This safari itinerary is very fascinating. It cover the most famous/finest Wildlife Areas; Tsavo East National Park, famous for the Red Elephants, Amboseli National Park, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, Lake Naivasha for boat trip, the jewel park of Kenya (Maasai Mara) and then the home of Flamingos and Rhinos, Lake Nakuru.This Parks/Reserve is the home to different kinds of Africa wildlife including the Big Five and different Bird Species
8 Days (7 Nights): Samburu Trail
Tour Code: WKS00059This safari itinerary covers; Mount Kenya National Park, Samburu Game Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha and Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Explore Mount Kenya, Great Rift Valley, the plain of Samburu and Masai Mara. Spot rare animals e.g. the gravy Zebras, the reticulated giraffes and Beisa Oryx in Samburu National Park, White Rhinos and the Rothschild Giraffe in Lake Nakuru National Park. Experience the rich culture of the Samburu/Maasai people by visiting one of their Villages (Manyatta)
8 Days (7 Nights): Savannah Trail
Tour Code: WKS086This safari itinerary covers; Masai Mara Game Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli National Park,Tsavo West National Park and Tsavo East National Park.
Explore the most famous Kenya Areas/sceneries. This Parks/Reserve are home to different kinds of Africa Wildlife including the Big Five and different Bird Species. View Mount Kilimanjaro (the highest Mountain in Africa) as well as learn the Maasai Culture by visiting their Villages (Manyatta).
8 Days (7 Nights): Wildebeest Trial
Tour Code: WKS0058This safari itinerary covers; Amboseli National Park; at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Lake Nakuru National Park, which is termed as the home to White and Black Rhinos as well as Flamingos. Lake Naivasha; famous for boat trip to the lake to view Hippos and different kinds of bird species and Masai Mara Game Reserve; the jewel park of Kenya. Experience the rich culture of the Maasai people by visiting one of their Villages (Manyatta).
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