Lake Naivasha National Park Tourism (2024) - Kenya > Top Places, Travel Guide

Lake Naivasha National Park Travel Packages

Compare quotes from upto 3 travel agents for free

4 Days / 3 Nights

Lake Naivasha Tour Package: 3-Night Adventure with Hell's Gate

$ 989

17% off

$816 per adult on twin sharing

Get Quotes >

6 Days / 5 Nights

6-Day All-Inclusive Kenya Safari Expedition

$ 1,882

19% off

$1,521 per adult on twin sharing

Get Quotes >

7 Days / 6 Nights

Kenya's 7-Day Wildlife Adventure and Lake Naivasha Tour Package

$ 2,279

8% off

$2,081 per adult on twin sharing

Get Quotes >

9 Days / 8 Nights

Exploring Wildlife through Kenya Safari Package in 9 Days

$ 2,864

14% off

$2,442 per adult on twin sharing

Get Quotes >

11 Days / 10 Nights

Kenya and Tanzania Tour Package

$ 3,937

9% off

$3,551 per adult on twin sharing

Get Quotes >

8 Days / 7 Nights

Wildlife Wonderland: 8-Day Kenyan Safari Extravaganza

$ 2,267

6% off

$2,124 per adult on twin sharing

Get Quotes >

View All Packages For Lake Naivasha National Park

Lake Naivasha National Park Travel Essentials

Rating:

3.9 /5 Rate This Destination

Weather:

Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Best Time: July - October Read More

Planning a Trip? Ask Your Question

"The Lake where Hippos, Flamingos, and Wilderness Thrive"

Lake Naivasha National Park Tourism

Lake Naivasha National Park, located in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, is a peaceful spot famous for being the only freshwater lake in the area. It's home to lots of wildlife, especially hippos and flamingos, with over 1,500 hippos living there. Besides Lake Naivasha, the park has thick forests of unique Umbrella Acacia trees, an old volcano, and two other lakes.

The park may not have the Big Five, but it's still home to various wildlife like zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and more. It's famous for its rich birdlife, with over 400 species including flamingos and African fish eagles. Visitors can explore the park on boat safaris, guided walks, and cycling tours. Plus, it boasts Kenya's largest green crater lake nestled in Mount Longonot volcano. Close to attractions like Hell's Gate National Park and Crescent Island Game Park, it's perfect for a complete safari experience.

Entry Fees:
There is no entrance fee to Lake Naivasha. However, there are entry fees and additional charges for activities in the park:

Boat Rides – USD 5 per person
Mount Longonot – USD 26 per person
Crescent Island – USD 30 per person

Crater Lake Game Sanctuary:
Citizen: Adult – KSH 800, Child - KSH 400
Residents: Adult – KSh 1100, Child – KSH 550
Non Residents: Adult – USD 33, Child – USD 16

Entrance Gates and Timings:
Lake Naivasha National Park has one main entrance gate, which is open throughout the year for visitors. The park timings are typically from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM. The entrance gate is closest to the town of Naivasha, which provides easy access to the park.

1. Game Drives

The park provides guided game drives where visitors can explore the park's diverse wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and hippos. Game drives typically last for a few hours and can be cu (Read More)stomized based on visitors' preferences.

2. Boat Safaris

Visitors can enjoy scenic boat safaris on Lake Naivasha, providing an opportunity to spot hippos, various bird species, and other aquatic wildlife. These safaris usually last for about one to two hour (Read More)s, offering a unique perspective of the lake's ecosystem.

3. Walking Safaris

Guided walking safaris allow visitors to explore the park on foot, offering a more intimate experience with nature. These safaris can range from a couple of hours to a full day, depending on the chose (Read More)n itinerary and level of activity.

4. Crescent Island

This private game sanctuary within Lake Naivasha allows visitors to walk among wildlife in a natural and intimate setting. With no predators, it's a safe opportunity to get up close to animals like gi (Read More)raffes, zebras, wildebeests, and antelopes. The best time to visit is during the early morning or late afternoon when animals are most active.

5. Mount Longonot

A dormant volcano, Mount Longonot offers adventurous hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts. The hike takes you through forests and up to the crater rim, rewarding you with panoramic views of the surro (Read More)unding landscapes. It is best to start the hike early in the morning to avoid the midday heat and enjoy the cooler temperatures.

6. Hell's Gate National Park

Known for its dramatic landscapes and geothermal features, Hell's Gate offers thrilling activities such as cycling, rock climbing, and nature walks. You can explore the towering cliffs, deep gorges, a (Read More)nd hot springs within the park. The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense midday heat.

Must Know Before You Travel to Lake Naivasha National Park

Timings: Lake Naivasha National Park gates are open from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM throughout the year.
Nature Walks: Nature walks are only allowed on Crescent Island as it is not fenced and the animals walk around freely.
Transportation to Crescent Island: Crescent Island can be reached by boat or by a 4x4 vehicle. However since the animals use the road, it is not usable, especially during the rainy season. It is open from 08:30 AM to 05:30 PM.
Boat Safari: A boat trip on Lake Naivasha is a must-do activity, available from 07:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM.
Pre-Booking: It is advisable to pre-book activities, tours, or attractions in advance, especially during peak seasons
Health Precautions: Due to its location in a malaria-prone area, it is important to take necessary precautions and ensure you have received all recommended vaccinations before visiting Naivasha.
Duration of Visit: One day is usually sufficient to visit Lake Naivasha National Park. Hence, it is recommended to combine it with other national parks nearby such as Hells Gate National Park.

(Read More)

Top Hotels In Lake Naivasha National Park

16 Resorts in Naivasha

$ 10 onwards

26 Best Hotels in Naivasha

₹ 17 onwards

16 Cheap Hotels in Naivasha

$ 9 onwards

17 Lodges in Naivasha

$ 10 onwards

14 Cottages in Naivasha

₹ 45 onwards

5 5 Star Hotels in Naivasha

$ 40 onwards

View All Hotels In Lake Naivasha National Park

More on Lake Naivasha National Park Travel

Wildlife in the Lake Naivasha National Park

The park's most notable inhabitants include hippos and flamingos, which are often found near Lake Naivasha. In addition to majestic giraffes and graceful zebras, it is also home to some fascinating creatures, such as the rare Rothschild's giraffe, and the striking Colobus monkey with its black and white fur. The park has a rich avian population, with over 400 recorded species, including African fish eagles, pelicans, herons, and kingfishers.

Travel Tips for Lake Naivasha

Currency Consideration: It is advisable to carry a small amount of the local currency, the Kenyan Shilling (KES), for convenient payment of groceries and smaller purchases where credit cards may not be accepted.
Boat Rides: Avoid boat rides in the late afternoon and evening when the lake can become rough.

Best Time to Visit Lake Naivasha National Park

How to Reach Lake Naivasha National Park

How to Reach Overview

The most preferred mode of transportation to reach Lake Naivasha National Park from Nairobi is by road which is at a distance of 90 kilometres. However, the park can be reached by various modes, including air, road, and rail.

How to reach Lake Naivasha National Park by flight

The nearest airport to Lake Naivasha is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, which is approximately 85 kilometres away. For the ones looking to travel within Kenya, Nairobi Wilson Airport is also at the same distance from the park.

From the airport, visitors can hire a taxi or arrange for a private transfer to the park. The journey by road takes around 2-3 hours, depending on the traffic and road conditions.

How to reach Lake Naivasha National Park by road

From Nairobi, visitors can take the A104 highway and follow the signs towards Naivasha. The distance is approximately 90 kilometres, and the drive takes around 2.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Private vehicles, rental cars, and taxis are popular options for reaching the park by road.

How to reach Lake Naivasha National Park by train

There is no direct railway connection to Lake Naivasha National Park. However, visitors can take a train from Nairobi to Naivasha town, which is located near the park. The train journey takes approximately 2 hours, and from Naivasha town, visitors can hire a taxi or use local transportation to reach the park, which is a short distance away.

How to reach Lake Naivasha National Park by bus

Within Lake Naivasha, local transportation options include taxis, matatus (minibuses), and boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis). These can be used to explore nearby attractions or to travel within the park. The cost of local transportation varies depending on the distance and type of vehicle, but it is advisable to negotiate the fare or confirm it beforehand.

Browse Package Collections

Lake Naivasha National Park Photos

+ 19
photos

Have a Question on Lake Naivasha National Park?

Ask a question from the travellers who have
experience.

Lake Naivasha National Park Reviews

Your rating

Lake Naivasha National Park

Top Hotel Collections

Lake Naivasha National Park Travel Packages

Lake Naivasha Tour Package: 3-Night Adventure with Hell's Gate

6-Day All-Inclusive Kenya Safari Expedition

Kenya's 7-Day Wildlife Adventure and Lake Naivasha Tour Package