One of the best ways to explore Lake Naivasha is with a boat safari. From the water you can spot a host of wildlife, including hippos, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, elands and other grazers on the shores. The lake and its surrounding landscapes are also home to an abundance of bird life, including cormorants, pelicans and African fish eagles, plus many more smaller species. You can combine your boat trip with a visit to Crescent Island sanctuary, where you’ll have the rare chance to walk with the animals. It’s one of the only places in the area where you can enjoy up-close encounters with giraffes, zebras, waterbucks and other mammals - and don’t worry, it’s a predator-free zone.
Nature-lovers also won’t want to miss the chance to visit the home of the late Joy Adamson, famous for her conservation work which was documented in the best-selling book and film ‘Born Free’. Set on the forest-clad banks of Lake Naivasha, Elsamere Lodge is the ideal place to relax and soak up the scenery. And if you’re feeling fancy, you can treat yourself to high tea at the lodge.
Nearby, Hell's Gate National Park is the place to go for more active adventures. Cycle along dirt roads, hike through gorges or rock climb at Fischer’s Tower. Admire the dramatic volcanic landscapes and keep your eyes peeled for zebras, buffalos, giraffes and impala roaming freely around the park.
And if that’s not enough excitement, the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park offers some of the best game drives in Kenya. Fringed by rugged slopes and dotted with acacia forests, the park is strikingly scenic year-round. It’s a great place to see rare and endangered species, including both white and black rhinos and Rothschild's giraffes. For the best animal sightings, head to the lake’s southern shores. From here, you can spot majestic lions snoozing on tree branches and leopards prowling through the foliage.
