Boat rides
About an hour on the lake looking for hippos, fish eagles and pelicans.
Kenya · Southern Rift Valley, Kenya
Lake Naivasha
A freshwater lake, a gorge and wildlife on foot.
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake on the Rift Valley floor, about two hours from Nairobi. It is a base for boat trips among hippos and birdlife, walking safaris on Crescent Island and cycling in nearby Hell's Gate National Park.
- Country
- Kenya
- Known for
- Boat rides · Hell's Gate cycling
- From Nairobi
- About 2 hours by road
- Ideal stay
- 1–2 nights
The place
Lake Naivasha, at a glance.
Naivasha's appeal is variety and activity. You can take a boat out among hippos and fish eagles, walk on Crescent Island among giraffes and zebras, or cycle through Hell's Gate's gorge country.
Hell's Gate National Park has dramatic cliffs and a narrow gorge. Because there are few large predators, visitors can cycle or walk among the wildlife.
Our budget safaris stay at Leisure Apex in Naivasha.
Unlike most Rift Valley lakes, Naivasha is freshwater, and at around 1,890 metres it is one of the highest lakes in Kenya's Rift. Papyrus fringes the shore, and fish eagles are a familiar sight and sound.
On the southern shore, Elsamere was the home of Joy Adamson, the author of Born Free, and is now a conservation centre open to visitors. Hell's Gate, a few kilometres away, has geothermal steam vents as well as its famous gorge.
Planning notes
- Official name
- Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate National Park
- Region
- Southern Rift Valley, Kenya
- Known for
- Boat rides · Hell's Gate cycling
- From Nairobi
- About 2 hours by road
- Ideal stay
- 1–2 nights
- Combines well with
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli
The appeal
Why visit Lake Naivasha?
Hell's Gate by bicycle
Cycle past zebras and giraffes beneath tall cliffs, then walk into the gorge with a guide.
Crescent Island
A private sanctuary reached by boat where you walk among plains game.
Mount Longonot
A dormant volcano nearby, with a demanding crater-rim hike for fit walkers.
Wild encounters
Wildlife of Lake Naivasha.
Hippos, fish eagles, pelicans and many waterbirds on the lake; giraffes, zebras, buffalo and antelope in Hell's Gate and on Crescent Island. Wildlife is free-ranging, so sightings vary from day to day and can never be guaranteed.
Hippo pod resting in a lake 
Antelope herd wading along a lakeshore 
Giraffe and zebras below tall rock cliffs 
Waterbirds on a calm lake with hills behind
Travel through the year
When to visit Lake Naivasha.
Naivasha works all year. Hell's Gate's gorge may close temporarily after heavy rain.
Jan – Mar
Dry and warm, good for walking and cycling.
Apr – May
Long rains. Hell's Gate's gorge can close after heavy rain for safety.
Jun – Oct
Dry season; the best time for outdoor activities.
Nov – Dec
Short rains with occasional showers.
Your way of travelling
Ways to experience Lake Naivasha.
Optional activities are arranged separately and may cost extra.
01
Boat ride on the lake
Around an hour among hippos, pelicans, cormorants and fish eagles, keeping a safe distance from the animals.
02
Crescent Island walk
A guided walk among giraffes, zebras, waterbuck and wildebeest on a sanctuary reached by boat.
03
Hell's Gate by bicycle
Cycle along the valley past zebras and giraffes, then walk into the Ol Njorowa gorge with a local guide.
04
Elsamere
Visit Joy Adamson's former home, now a conservation centre, often with afternoon tea in the gardens.
05
Mount Longonot
For fit walkers, a hike up the dormant volcano and around its crater rim, with wide Rift Valley views.
The way there
Getting to Lake Naivasha.
By road
About 90–100 km from Nairobi, roughly two hours via the Rift Valley escarpment.
On a longer safari
Often visited on the way back from the Maasai Mara or between Lake Nakuru and Amboseli.
Finding your pace
How long to stay.
1 night
Time for a boat ride or Hell's Gate before moving on.
2 nights
A full day to cycle Hell's Gate, visit Crescent Island and relax by the lake.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Lake Naivasha.
Our budget safaris use the property below. Mid-range and luxury lodges and camps are agreed with you after you enquire, based on your dates and preferences.
Hotel · Naivasha
Leisure Apex
Your base for boat rides, Crescent Island and Hell's Gate.
Trip ideas
Short trip
4 Days Maasai Mara & Lake Naivasha Budget SafariNairobi → Maasai Mara → Lake Naivasha → Hell's Gate → Nairobi
Combine it
5 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha Budget SafariNairobi → Maasai Mara → Nakuru → Lake Naivasha → Hell's Gate → Nairobi
The long way
14 Days Kenya & Tanzania Budget SafariNairobi → Maasai Mara → Nakuru → Lake Naivasha → Amboseli → Arusha → Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Serengeti → Ngorongoro → Arusha
9 safaris
Safaris that include Lake Naivasha.
6 days · Kenya · Private or group
6 Days Amboseli, Lake Naivasha & Maasai Mara Luxury Safari
Kilimanjaro, a Rift Valley lake and the Mara
Wildlife safari · Luxury
A six-day luxury safari: two nights in Amboseli, a night by Lake Naivasha and two nights in the Maasai Mara, with lodge accommodation throughout.
Price on request
Group joining7 days · Kenya · Group joining
7 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Amboseli Budget Safari
Kenya's essential circuit in a week
Wildlife safari · Budget
A week covering four of Kenya's best-known destinations: the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha with Crescent Island, and Amboseli beneath Kilimanjaro.
From USD 840 pp
10 days · Kenya & Tanzania · Private or group
10 Days Kenya to Tanzania Midrange Safari
From Nairobi to Arusha the scenic way
Wildlife safari · Mid-range
A ten-day mid-range journey from Nairobi to Arusha: the Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli in Kenya, then Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Price on request
Group joining4 days · Kenya · Group joining
4 Days Maasai Mara & Lake Naivasha Budget Safari
Plains, a freshwater lake and a gorge on foot
Wildlife safari · Budget
Two nights in the Maasai Mara, then Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate National Park, where you can cycle or walk among wildlife.
Low season USD 590 ppHigh season USD 690 pp
Group joining5 days · Kenya · Group joining
5 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha Budget Safari
Kenya's classic Rift Valley loop
Wildlife safari · Budget
Two nights in the Maasai Mara, a game drive at Lake Nakuru, a night by Lake Naivasha and a final morning in Hell's Gate National Park.
USD 840 pp
6 days · Kenya · Private or group
6 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha Budget Safari
The Rift Valley loop at an easier pace
Wildlife safari · Budget
Two nights in the Maasai Mara, a night in Nakuru and two nights by Lake Naivasha, with Hell's Gate and time on the lake.
Low season USD 830 ppHigh season USD 1,030 pp
Group joining9 days · Kenya · Group joining
9 Days Maasai Mara, Nairobi, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli & Tsavo Safari
From the Mara to the coast road
Wildlife safari · Budget
Nine days across southern Kenya: the Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate, Amboseli, then Tsavo West and Tsavo East, ending in Nairobi or Mombasa.
Price on request
Group joining12 days · Kenya & Tanzania · Group joining
12 Days African Safari Holiday in Kenya & Tanzania
Mara, lakes, Amboseli and the northern circuit
Wildlife safari · Budget
Twelve days: the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate, Amboseli, then Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
From USD 2,230 pp
Group joining14 days · Kenya & Tanzania · Group joining
14 Days Kenya & Tanzania Budget Safari
Two weeks across East Africa's great parks
Wildlife safari · Budget
Fourteen days and eight parks on a budget: the Mara, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha and Hell's Gate, Amboseli, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, two nights in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
From USD 1,960 pp
Beyond Lake Naivasha
Where to next?
Ways to travel
Before you go
Practical notes.
Activities
Boat rides, bicycle hire and gorge guides are usually paid locally unless included in your quote.
Accommodation
Budget safaris stay at Leisure Apex in Naivasha.
Common questions
Lake Naivasha, explained.
Can you cycle in Hell's Gate National Park?
Yes. Bicycles can be hired at the gate, and you can cycle among zebras and giraffes. Your guide follows in the vehicle.
Is Lake Naivasha a good place for hippos?
Yes. Hippos live in the lake, and boat rides keep a safe distance while you watch them and the birdlife.
How far is Naivasha from Nairobi?
About two hours by road.
Is Lake Naivasha a national park?
The lake itself is not a national park, but Hell's Gate National Park and Mount Longonot National Park are both close by.
Can you walk among wildlife at Naivasha?
Yes. Crescent Island and Hell's Gate both allow walking because there are few large predators. You stay with your guide.
Where do budget safaris stay at Naivasha?
At Leisure Apex in Naivasha. Mid-range and luxury lakeside options are agreed after you enquire.
Your Lake Naivasha journey
Ready to see Lake Naivasha for yourself?
Explore safaris that include Lake Naivasha, or tell us how you would like to travel.