Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in the Rift Valley, ringed by papyrus, acacia and flower farms, and it is one of the most relaxing places in Kenya to begin or end a safari. The lake is full of hippo and birds, and the surrounding estates are home to giraffe, zebra, waterbuck and colobus monkeys that you can see from the terrace of your lodge.
It is only about an hour and a half from Nairobi, so it is a gentle first night after a long flight. From the lake you can go out by boat to see hippos and fish eagles, walk or cycle in Hell's Gate National Park, visit Crescent Island Game Sanctuary on foot, or explore Elsamere, the former home of the conservationist Joy Adamson.
The lake holds a large population of hippo, and the shoreline is a good place for waterbuck, impala, Maasai giraffe, plains zebra, buffalo and warthog on the lodge estates. Black-and-white colobus monkeys live in the fever trees at Elsamere and some lodges. At Crescent Island you can walk among giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and gazelle with no predators to worry about.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
A broad, shallow lake of fresh water sits in the floor of the Great Rift Valley, bordered by papyrus and fever trees and backed by the Aberdares, Mount Longonot and the Mau escarpment. The mornings are often misty and calm, and flamingos can occasionally be seen on nearby soda lakes.
Activities here
Naivasha has a pleasant highland climate, with warm days of 22°C to 27°C and cool nights, sometimes as low as 8°C in the dry months. The main rains fall from April to May, with a lighter season in November.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 | 8 | 40 |
| Feb | 27 | 9 | 40 |
| Mar | 27 | 11 | 70 |
| Apr | 25 | 13 | 140 |
| May | 24 | 12 | 100 |
| Jun | 23 | 10 | 50 |
| Jul | 22 | 9 | 40 |
| Aug | 23 | 9 | 50 |
| Sep | 25 | 9 | 50 |
| Oct | 26 | 10 | 60 |
| Nov | 25 | 11 | 100 |
| Dec | 25 | 9 | 60 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
December to March and June to September are the driest months, with sunny, clear days that suit boating and walking. Mornings and evenings are cool, so bring a jumper.
The rain falls mostly in afternoon storms, turning the shoreline green and bringing out the migrant birds. Roads to the lodges stay open, and the boat trips run all year.
Naivasha is a year-round destination, and the weather rarely spoils a visit. The drier months from December to March and June to September are the most comfortable, while the green season has the best birdlife.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb
Lake Naivasha is about 90 kilometres from Nairobi, a drive of around an hour and a half to two hours, on a good tarmac road with a view into the Rift Valley as you descend. It sits on the way to Lake Nakuru, the Mara and Laikipia.
Most visitors need a Kenya eTA arranged online before travel, and a passport valid for at least six months. Park fees for Hell’s Gate and Crescent Island are included in our safaris.
Boat trips are run by experienced local crews. Hippos can be dangerous on land at night, so use the escort provided by the lodge. Please take medical advice about malaria and other vaccinations before you travel.
Wildlife Reserve & SanctuaryMasai Mara National ReserveBig cats and the Great Migration
National ParkAmboseli National ParkElephants beneath Kilimanjaro
National ParkLake Nakuru National ParkRhino, flamingo and tree-climbing lionsNational ParkHell’s Gate National ParkCycling among giraffe and gorges
National ParkTsavo West National ParkLava flows, springs and red elephants
National ParkAberdare National ParkHighland forest and night-time game viewingOur take
“Our take”
Naivasha is a good first or second night, with a different kind of day: a boat, a walk and a long lunch by the lake.
Safaris from
US$1,560 per person
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