Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake that is located outside the town of Naivasha in Nakuru County, and due to the potential sudden storms, the name was derived from the Maasai nickname Nai’posha, which means “rough water” in the area. Also, it is part of the Great Rift Valley. The lake is nourished by the perennial Malewa and Gilgil rivers in addition to ephemeral streams. Although there isn’t a visible outlet, it is presumed that there is one because the lake’s water is relatively fresh. In addition to approximately 400 distinct bird species, the lake is home to a substantial population of hippos and other animals.
Boat Ride at Lake Naivasha
While on a boat safari in this area, you may see hippos and a wide variety of birds, including kingfishers, fish eagles, herons, jacanas, and more. The lake itself is quite beautiful, with the Eburru volcanic mountain range serving as a purple backdrop. Thick Acacia Xanthophlea trees with yellow bark border the lake’s shores. Moreover, a thousand protected Hippos live in the lake, and its banks are also home to a few giraffes, zebras, waterbuck, and the occasional eland and wildebeest. Therefore, a lake safari trip on a Lake Naivasha boat is fun while relaxing, and there are many intriguing views to take in. The boats capacity is 6 people. The boat ride is offered by an experienced local boating guide. There are life jackets on hand. The one-hour lake safari typically runs from 7 am to 4 pm. Boat journeys after this time are discouraged since the lake is notorious to become turbulent in the late afternoon or early evening.
Hiking Mt. Longonot
Mount Longonot, an extinct volcano, rises monolithically from the Great Rift Valley level. The dense vegetation that fills the mountain’s crater is a distinctive feature. The crater rim offers wonderful, picturesque views of the stunning Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha. The buffalo, elands, lion, leopard, bushbucks, common zebra, giraffe, and Grant’s gazelles are among Mount Longonot’s top animal attractions.
Walking & Circling at Hell's Gate
The Hell’s Gate National Park, named for the strong geothermal activity that occurs inside its borders, is a fascinating region of the Great Rift Valley. It is one of the most dramatic Parks in Africa because of the breathtaking environment, which includes towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, austere rock towers, scrub-clad volcanoes, and spewing plumes of geothermal steam. In addition to the bio-diversity, which includes raptors, tourists may enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing, and a natural spa at Hell’s Gate, which is a great destination for a day trip from Nairobi. It’s common to see African buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle, and baboons. Additionally found in the park are Chandler’s mountain reedbuck and Klipspringer antelope. The park is home to more than 100 different bird species, including vultures, Verreaux’s Eagles, augur buzzards, and swifts
Rock Climbing at Fischer’s Tower
An approximately 25-meter-tall volcanic plug called Fischer’s Tower is located in Hell’s Gate National Park close to the northeastern edge of the area and just steps from Elsa Gate. In accordance with Masai mythology, the tower represents a Masai girl who, in defiance of convention, turned to stone after turning to gaze back at her home while traveling to find her future husband. The German explorer Dr. Gustav Fischer was tasked with locating a path from Mombasa to Lake Victoria, and Fischer’s Tower bears his name. The towering boulder, which is the first naturally occurring rock you will see in the park and is a popular location for rock climbing, rises magnificently there. The magnificent surroundings, which include stunning gorges, lime-streaked rocks, and passing animals, may be enjoyed while climbing Fischer’s Tower.
Game Viewing
Hell’s Gate National Park is home to a respectable population of wildlife, including zebras, herds of buffalo, hartebeests, elands, Defassa waterbuck, olive baboons, and Masai giraffe, among others, that you will enjoy viewing during a game viewing safari even though it isn’t ranked among the best wildlife safari destinations in Kenya. Although they are difficult to see, lions, leopards, and cheetahs may also be seen in Hell’s Gate National Park.
