Lake Naivasha is a birdwatchers dream come true. Some areas of Lake shore have recorded over 400 species. The acacia forests teem with Hoopoe, Woodpeckers, Rollers, Shrikes, Hawks, cuckoos and much more.
A walk along the shore, or even sitting and relaxing in a single place, will provide the birder with endlessly rich sightings.
A trip out onto the Lake is even more impressive. The water is dotted with Pelicans, and the papyrus alive with Kingfisher, Heron, Jacanas and more, while high in the trees over the Lake you will find Africa’s largest concentration of African Fish Eagles.
These mighty birds dominate the air over the Lake, their haunting cries echoing across the shores as they plunge to the surface and pull fish from the water.
The Lake is also famous for its Hippo population, and there are more than 400 here. Boat trips can be taken from many lakeside lodges and campsites, providing an ideal opportunity to see large pods of Hippo lying half submerged in the water.
At night they emerge to graze on the Lakeshore. At some Lakeshore lodges and campsites, the remarkable sight of these massive 3 tonne creatures grazing across the lawns is a nightly occurrence. Most visitors are amazed when they see just how large a hippo is when it emerges from the water. It is an awe-inspiring sight, even more so when they are grazing a few feet from the door of your tent. Hippos are a common cause of sleepless nights for lakeside campers.
Colobus monkeys are often seen in the canopy of the Acacia forests around the lake, and on the north shore of the lake Buffalo, Waterbuck and Eland are often seen grazing.
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Bird watching: Enjoy the fabulous water birds and other bird species. These mighty birds dominate the air over the Lake, their haunting cries echoing across the shores as they plunge to the surface and pull fish from the water.
The Lake is also famous for its Hippo population, and there are more than 400 here. Boat trips can be taken from many lakeside lodges and campsites, providing an ideal opportunity to see large pods of Hippo lying half submerged in the water.
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Crescent Island, a partially submerged volcanic crater, is a private game sanctuary with herds of wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, gazelle and other plains game. Many local lodges can organize boat trips to the island, where you can walk among the herds of game.
North West of the Lake is the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. This is a small private sanctuary centred around a volcanic crater lake with spectacular green water. The lake attracts many flamingo, and the surrounding forests and plains have plenty of game. This is a good place to explore on foot.
Hell’s Gate National Park is an ideal place to spend a day. The park is one of the best in Kenya for viewing game on foot, or by bicycle. The park is home to a wide variety of plains game, including large herds of Giraffe, Zebra, Kongoni, and Buffalo. The cliffs here are a good place to see the Klipspringer, a small rock climbing antelope, as well as baboons and rock hyrax.
Leopards are often seen at dusk.
There are current efforts to reintroduce breeding pairs of Lammergeyer, the world’s largest vulture into the park.
Hell’s Gate is easily accessed from most Naivasha lake shore properties by car, bicycle or on foot. Many lodges and camps here organize trips into the Park.
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