Lake Naivasha National Park, Entry fees & Top Things to do
Lake Naivasha National Park (best referred to as “sheer adventure”) is a wildlife-rich destination worth visiting on a Kenya safari holiday. The park derives its name from the scenic Lake Naivasha, one of the freshwater Lakes in Kenya. Lake Naivasha is better known to locals as rough water. It is one freshwater Lake that is found in the heart of the park.
Location
Located Northwest of Nairobi capital city, Lake Naivasha National Park is strategically lying within the Great Rift Valley Region. The Maasai word “Naiposho” is where Lake Naivasha derives its name, meaning rough water. This is in consideration of the unusual sudden storms that often rise. In its surrounding, there are 2 small Lakes; Lake Oloidien and Lake Sonachi, or the Great Crater Lake.
From Nairobi city to Lake Naivasha N/Park, it is about 90 km. The park is strategically positioned overviewing the rugged-edged of the volcanic Mt. Longonot. It is also dominated by the umbrella acacia trees and these are concentrated along the shores of Lake Naivasha.
The size & when it was gazetted
Lying within Nakuru county, Lake Nakuru National Park was gazetted in 1995. The park sits on a land area spreads covering up to only 140sq.km. It is lying at an altitude of 1884m, its highest point, and also where you find volcanic rocks plus sedimentary deposits. Lake Naivasha N/P is one of the best birding destinations and it is positioned close to Hell’s Gate National Park.
Top Attractions to find at Lake Naivasha Game Park
Wildlife/Animals in Lake Naivasha N/P
Lake Nakuru N. Park is endowed with fauna, and these range within its acacia forest also often spotted along the Lake shores. Over 100 grazers and hunter species are supported in the park. The animals or wildlife species in Lake Naivasha National Park to see on Kenya safari include buffaloes, zebras, hippos, giraffes, elands, bushbucks, Grant’s gazelles, lions, leopards, and most of these can be encountered while on guided game viewing.
Birds
Over 400 bird species all call Lake Naivasha a home. These include noisy Fischer’s, yellow-collared lovebirds, the African fish eagle, Great white pelicans, flamingos, Yellow-billed ducks, Northern pintail, white back duck, fulvous whistling duck, tufted duck, Northern shoveler, Egyptian goose, Southern pochard, Hottentot teal, etc.
Helmeted guinea fowl, coqui francolin, common quail, Namaqua dove, red-eyed dove, speckled pigeon, emerald spotted wood dove, mourning collared dove, black cuckoo, red chested cuckoo, white-browed coucal, dideric cuckoo, African crakes, black crake, red-knobbed coot, lesser moorhen.
Gray-crowned crane, three-banded plovers, lesser sand plover, Caspian plover, Senegal lapwing, bar-tailed Godwit, curlew sandpiper, little stint. Whiskered tern, African openbill, saddle-billed stork, black-headed gull, cormorant, long-tailed cormorant, secretary, black-winged kite, Eurasian spoonbill, hawks, kites, eagles, owls, kingfishers, bee-eaters, woodhoopoes, scimitar bills, woodpeckers, honeyguides, African barbets to mention but a few.
Crescent Island
The Crescent Island is one of the scenic private island sanctuaries located along the rift valley region. It is one magical island where you can find wild animals freely roaming and you can access it by boat or 4×4 safari vehicle. Possible wildlife such as buffaloes can be spotted.
Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is the biggest freshwater Lake and also one of the iconic attractions that you can find at Lake Naivasha National Park. The lake’s shores feature papyrus and other forest species, where most birds can be sighted.
Other attractions/areas of interest to explore on the Kenya tour in Lake Naivasha include Mount Longonot and Crater Lake Game Sanctuary.
Key Activities to do at Lake Naivasha Park
Wildlife/game viewing
Wildlife viewing is amazing one of the top exciting safari activities or experiences holidaymakers in Lake Naivasha should expect to indulge. This can be done half day or full day, with a great opportunity to see huge concentration of wildlife including waterbucks, zebras, buffaloes, lions, leopards, birds.
Birding
Birding and bird-watching tours in Lake Naivasha N/Park offer a remarkable opportunity to identify some of the 400 bird species that live here. These include swamp, acacia dwellers, and notable species to see range from the flamingo, fish eagles, flamingos, spotted flycatchers, cape robin, white-browed robin chat, Abyssinian thrush, golden-winged sunbird, red-chested sunbird, lesser masked weavers, white-browed sparrow weavers, Speke’s weaver red-billed, spectacled weavers,
Capped wheatears, Northern wheatears, red-backed shrike, Northern fiscals, Isabelline shrike, African paradise flycatchers, Sulphur breasted bush shrike, tropical boubou, fork-tailed drongo, falcons, caracaras, kingfishers, bee-eaters, hornbills, woodhoopoes, eagles, hawks, kites, yellow-billed stork, skimmers, and many more.
Horseback riding tours
Horseback riding tours offer another incredible chance to see wildlife in Lake Naivasha N/Park. Rather than using a 4×4 safari vehicle, you can view wildlife on the back of the horse and you will come across a diversity of wildlife, a perfect choice for honeymooners on a Kenya safari.
Trek to the Mt. Longonot
Trekking through Mt. Longonot takes 2-4 hours although this may depend on hikers’ physical fitness level. At the summits, you can enjoy an uninterrupted aerial view of Lake Naivasha National Park and its wildlife, and sceneries.
Boat ride
A boat ride on Lake Naivasha National Park is all about exploring the aquatic life and other features in the surrounding. Lake Naivasha is endowed with not only aquatic animals, but also birds that can be spotted flying.
Best time to travel to Lake Naivasha N/Park, Kenya
Discover the best time to travel to Lake Naivasha N/Park, Kenya- the most ideal weather and warmest months of the year; January to April, October. The best months run from June to October, perfect for game viewing or wildlife safari.
Where to stay at Lake Naivasha National Game Park, Kenya
Luxury lodges: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort, Lake Naivasha Country Club, Enashipai Resort & Spa.
Getting to Naivasha National Park
By road and air
Lake Naivasha National Park Kenya is accessible 90 km from Nairobi city. By air, take a chartered flight from Nairobi to Loldia Airstrip. This airstrip is found in the Western part of Lake Naivasha N. Park, Kenya.
Is Lake Naivasha worth visiting?
Lake Naivasha boasts of its abundant wildlife and plenty of exciting things to do making it a must-visit destination in Kenya. The park features a huge profusion of hippos and flamingos –over 1500 hippos have been recorded on Lake Naivasha and more than 400 species of birds.
How much is entry fees for Naivasha National Park?
Lake Naivasha NP doesn’t have entrance fees. You can have access to Lake Naivasha anytime from 7:00am to 6:00pm. Getting there involves driving for 60 miles Northwards from Nairobi capital.