Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha

Situated 100 kilometres from Nairobi, Lake Naivasha is only about 1½-hour drive away from the capital of Kenya. As such and because of its peaceful surroundings and rich birdlife, it is a popular destination for weekend trips.

Visitors can also explore Hell’s Gate National Park or Crescent Island. This privately owned peninsula is shaped like a crescent moon and has been developed into a game sanctuary. Here, visitors can safely walk among zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, impalas, and other wildlife. There are no dangerous predators on the island, making it ideal for walking safaris.

Lake Naivasha is home to a large population of hippos along its shoreline. However, there are no crocodiles because the lake sits at an altitude of about 1,900 metres, making the water too cold for them. The lake lies at the foot of the perfectly shaped Mount Longonot volcano. The lake was once covered with beautiful water lilies and surrounded by extensive papyrus swamps.

Lake Ecosystem

The surface area of Lake Naivasha changes throughout the year. It usually ranges from about 110 to 150 square kilometres. Rainfall in the Aberdare Mountains and the Mau Escarpment controls these natural water-level changes. These seasonal fluctuations help sustain the surrounding riparian vegetation. Large flower farms with extensive greenhouses also use water from the lake for irrigation, which can influence water levels.

Birdlife and Wildlife

Dense stands of papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) line much of the shoreline. These wetlands filter sediments, provide breeding habitats for waterbirds, and serve as important grazing areas for the lake’s large hippopotamus population.

=””>art=”803″ data-end=”1043″>Lake Naivasha is home to more than 450 bird species. Visitors can see flamingos, pelicans, herons, kingfishers, African fish eagles, and many other birds. The riparian habitats also support mammals such as waterbucks, zebras, and buffaloes.

Walking Safaris

Crescent Island and Hell’s Gate National Park are among the best places for walking safaris in Kenya. The absence of large predators allows visitors to explore the landscape on foot while enjoying close views of the area’s wildlife.

Naivasha is a great place to spend some days away from the big city and there are many places to stay ranging from campsites where you can pitch your own tent to luxury lodges like Sopa Lodge.

Sopa Lodge is styled in a traditional fashion but the rooms are spacy and with modern facillities. Just remember to close the windows or Vervet Monkeys may enter your room and split your suitcase to pieces while you are dining or sailing on the lake. At night you can watch the hippos from the big dining hall as the come on land to feed but remember they are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa and you should always have one of the askaris (swahili word for soldier/guard) to escort you to your room.