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Lake Nakuru and Naivasha


Lake Nakuru and Naivasha are close to each other and can be visited on single trip using one of them as the base.

Lake Nakuru is situated between Lakes Naivasha and Baringo, beneath the high cliffs of the Eastern Rift. This is a shallow soda lake surrounded by yellow-barked acacia woodland and grasslands, rocky cliffs and hillsides covered with the unusual giant Euphorbia trees.

The lake provides the visitor with one of Kenya’s iconic images. Thousands of flamingo, joined into a massive flock, fringe the shores of this soda lake, a spectacular, pulsating pink swathe of life that carpets the water.The lake has become world famous for these birds, who visit the lake to feed on algae that forms on the lake bed. They move back and forth, feeding and occasionally and spectacularly taking to flight, filling the sky over the lake with colour.

Lake Nakuru has more than just flamingos, this is a a major National Park and an important sanctuary for rhino. Both endangered black and white rhino extremely rare elsewhere are found here, and are often seen resting under acacia trees by the lake shore. The Lake Nakuru National Park abounds with game. There are huge herds of waterbuck, zebra, buffalo, the endangered Rothschild Giraffe and more.

This is one of your best chances of seeing Leopard in Kenya, and there are several large prides of Lion. Exploring beyond the lake is always rewarding and there are forests, cliffs, waterfalls and more to be found here. 

Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake, fringed by thick papyrus. The lake is almost 13kms across, but its waters are shallow with an average depth of five metres. Like nearby Lake Nakuru the lake area varies greatly according to seasonal rainfall. Naivasha has even been known to dry up completely in periods of severe drought.

Afternoon wind and storms can cause the Lake to become suddenly rough and produce high waves. For this reason, the local Maasai christened the lake Nai’posha meaning ‘‘rough water’‘, which the British later translated as Naivasha..

Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of the yellow barked Acacia Xanthophlea, known as the yellow fever tree. These forests abound with bird life, and Naivasha is known as a world class birding destination.

The waters of Lake Naivasha draw a great range of game to these shores. Giraffe wander among the acacia, Buffalo wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from the treetops while the large hippo population lounge in the shallows.

Hell’s Gate National Park lies beside the lake. This Park was named for its pair of massive red tinged cliffs framing an active interior of steam vents and bubbling springs. The park is home to a profusion of plains game and birdlife. Walking is permitted, making it ideal for hiking, biking, and rock climbing.

Boat trips on the lake are widely available, and make a great half day trip.

The Rift Valley Lakes are often combined in an overland safari circuit with the Aberdares or Mount Kenya National Park, Laikipia and Samburu National Reserve and the Maasai Mara.

Although both interestingg and beautiful this area is popular with overland safari groups on route to the Maasai Mara and the area is also heavily populated and home to many large flower farms. We normally suggest staying for one or two nights if travelling to the Maasai Mara by road from Nairobi or on route from the Laikipia Plateau.