An ultimate tourist destination, Lake Naivasha is part of the great rift valley located northwest of Nakuru county, Kenya. It towers at an elevation of about 1890 meters and is bordered by acacia woodlands, papyrus swamps, forest, and spectacular geological features, which are reminiscent of the area’s volcanic past. Lake Naivasha is a RAMSAR site and there are over 450 distinct avian species, all of which depend on the lake for survival. The lake is also is a drinking hole for zebras, buffaloes, waterbucks, impalas, and other grazers. You can also spot a sizeable population of hippos cooling off in the freshwater during the day. Due to the occasional rising high waves of the lake, the Maasai people, who are occupants of this territory christened the Lake ‘Naiposha’ meaning ‘rough waters’.

Walking Safari On Crescent Island

Crescent Island is a game sanctuary located on the eastern side of Lake Naivasha. The Island was formed in 1988 after Lake Naivasha water level dropped significantly allowing Crescent Island to be part of the mainland. The terrain of the Island is plain allowing for easy hiking. A private boat club is also located on the eastern side of the Island.

On Crescent Island, game viewing is pretty easy. You can spot a variety of animals from giraffes, elands, wildebeest, zebras, impalas, etc. There are also several avian species and aquatic habitat. The Lake is home to lots of hippos which can be spotted easily from the island. Some of the birdlife residents at the Crescent Island are the fish eagle, herons, ospreys, black crakes, and lily-trotters. A good number of herbivores and mammals can be found grazing the surrounding areas of the lake. Some of the grazers include zebras, impala, buffalo, kongoni, giraffe and hippos at night.

Lake Naivasha

How to Access/ Things to do on Crescent Island

Just a two-hour drive from Nairobi, Crescent Island offers travelers an escape from the regular day in the African bush and lets them engage in activities like hiking, biking, walking, and game viewing. Crescent island can be accessed with 15 minutes boat trip from the mainland. You can also access the island by road through the “Horse Riding Complex”. At Crescent island, you can see giraffes and other wildlife up close or simply set up a picnic and relax. There are no predators to intimidate or prey on them so they live freely. In addition to the walking safari experience, there are guided boat rides that let you see an assortment of birdlife from pelicans, cranes and smaller brightly colored birds on the banks.

Worthy of note is the fact that at night, it’s not safe to move around because that’s when hippos graze. Your tour guide will fill you in with all the necessary information to ensure your safety. Crescent island has a plain landscape which makes walking less tedious and more interesting. The 1985 movie ‘Out of Africa’ starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford depicted the amazing scenery and landscape of Lake Naivasha.

Martin and Erika on a boat ride

What Makes Lake Naivasha Special?

Lake Naivasha is a unique tourist destination rich in biodiversity and renowned for its species of avian creatures, wildlife, and fresh aquatic habitat. It is a world-class bird destination with colorful species like red-billed fire finches, Grey-backed fiscal, grey capped warbler, spectacled weavers, cormorants, and pelicans. The fish-eating eagle is the most majestic raptors on the lake and resident avifauna are accompanied by other migratory species from October to March.

Other Things to Do Around Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha may not be an outright safari park but it has become a destination that many tourists do often include in their itineraries. Some of the things to do include;

Visit the Elsamere Museum

Elsamere Museum is located on the shores of Lake Naivasha. It became famous after the book ‘Born Free’ was published in 1960. Elsamere became the home of the author, Joy Adamson and her husband George Adamson, and is now a field study and conservation center catering to both study groups and tourist alike. Though the Elsamere museum is a minute part of the entire Elsamere experiences, it depicts the life work and commitment of the Adamsons relocating animals to the wild.

Climbing Mount Longonot

Mount Longonot is a dormant volcano on the southeast of Lake Naivasha in the great rift valley. The stratovolcano last erupted in 1860 so an opportunity to hike a dormant volcano is difficult to resist. The challenging hike which lasts about 4-5 hours takes you across a territory inhabited by leopards, antelopes, and buffaloes. The trails are heavily eroded and very steep, which in its own ways, adds to the fun of the adventure.

Trip to Hell’s Gate National Park

Located south of Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, over 100 species of birds and flora. The amazing scenery is characterized by gorges, towering cliffs, belching plumes of geothermal steams, and rock towers. Some of the wildlife available here are Thomson’s gazelle, zebras, eland, hartebeest, baboons, African buffaloes, etc. Some of the birdlife here include vultures, Verreaux’s eagles, augur buzzards, and even the rare lammergeier.

Accommodation Options On Crescent Island

There are various accommodation options for both luxury and budget tourists alike. The lodges here are well equipped with standard facilities. A good example is the Lake Naivasha Country club, which provides rooms and cottages across a 12-hectare green lawn. There’s also a residents’ lounge with a massive fireplace and a bar stocked with local and intercontinental beverages.

A bloat of hippos in Lake Naivasha

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Lake Naivasha is during the dry season between July to October. You can also combine a trip to the Maasai Mara to view the ultimate safari experience of all time – the wildebeest migration.

The rich biodiversity of Lake Naivasha has established itself as a fantastic tourist destination. There are many activities here from boat rides, bird viewing, climbing the dormant volcanoes, walking with wild animals and taking in the mind-blowing scenery. You will surely be fulfilled after your experience.

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