Naivasha is a shallow freshwater lake at 1,884 metres in the floor of the Rift Valley, ringed by yellow-barked fever trees and papyrus. It supports over 400 bird species and a large hippo population.
Because it is only 90 minutes from Nairobi on the expressway, Naivasha functions as the capital's default weekend escape: boat rides, Crescent Island walking safaris, Hell's Gate cycling and lakeside lodges all fit into two days.
The lake also anchors Kenya's cut-flower industry, which employs tens of thousands of people. Several farms now run certified water-stewardship programmes after decades of abstraction pressure.
Highlights
- Crescent Island walking safari among zebra and giraffe
- Hell's Gate gorge cycling and rock climbing
- Boat safaris to hippo pods and fish eagles
- Mount Longonot crater hike