Naivasha, an attractive gem nestled in the Great Rift Valley, offers a perfect blend of natural appeal, adventure, and relaxation. Whether you’re wanting to explore sensational lakeside views, rest and relax in the cosy resorts, encounter wildlife, or enjoy outside activities, Naivasha has something for every type of traveler. From tranquil boat rides on Lake Naivasha to awesome hikes in nearby national parks, this dynamic location guarantees memorable experiences.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the very best things to do in Naivasha, assisting you maximize your check out to this enchanting Kenyan escape. Prepare yourself for an experience that integrates nature, culture, and excitement!
[blockquote align=”none” author=”Moslih Eddin Saadi”]A traveller without observation is a bird without wings.[/blockquote]
Here is a list of the best things to do in Naivasha, Nakuru County. Naivasha has to do with a 2-hour drive from Nairobi. Naivasha is an one-of-a-kind tourist location with attractions for all kinds of nature lovers and experience hunters.
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1. Visit Crescent Island Game Sanctuary
This beautiful nature sanctuary is a peninsula located on the eastern side of Lake Naivasha. It is often described as “Naivasha’s best-kept trick,” and can only be accessed by boat. It is among the places where you can enjoy tjhe wilderness. The sanctuary claims to have more animals per acre than any other Kenyan Park. They have a watch tower on a hill with a 360-degree view across the lake to Mau Escarpment onto Aberdare varieties. The private island is ideal for birding, wildlife viewing, and nature walking. Boat trips on Lake Naivasha provide a close view of thge island and sights of resident wild animals like hippos, zebras, and giraffes.
3. Swim at Olkaria Geothermal Spa
The Olkaria Geothermal Spa is located within Hell’s Gate National Park. It’s a good location to take a warm dip after a long day in the wild. The day spa offers healing swimming in a pool that can accommodate as much as 400 individuals whith water temperature levels between 30 ° C and 40 ° C. Besides the relaxing and soothing impact of the spa, this specific swimming pool also consists of sulphur, which is beleived to have lots of healing properties. Visitors can also enjoy in scrumptious meals at the cafeteria, and sundowners at the bar. It’s the perfect spot to spend at least half a day loosening up, (particularly if you’ve already covered some ground at Hell’s Gate or taken a hike!).
4. Boat trip on Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in Kenya on the Great Rift Valley flooring. It’s a short distance from Naivasha town along the Moi South Lake roadway. The lake is an overflow of serenity and appeal, embellished with various wildlife, bird species, camping areas, and dining spots to take pleasure in.
A Lake Naivasha boat trip is a safari on the water with exceptional sights to see and can be drawn from any of the many locations around the lake. Each boat can take in between 6 and 20 individuals, depending upon its capacity and the rates start from Ksh 2,500 per hour, inclusive of a tour guide and life jackets. The ride through the dead acacia trees and above tje blue waters will expose you to a lot of birdlife among them pelicans, fish eagles, herons, and giant kingfishers that make up part of over 300 bird species discovered in the location. Hippos are easily identified from thge numerous hotels dotted along the coasts.
After the boat trip, take time to explore the coastline. Here, you’ll have the chance to connect with the locals and an opportunity to sample their delicious local food.
5. Explore Lake Oloiden
Lake Oloiden is a flamingo paradise that offers some of the very best camping experiences in Naivasha. A number of flower farms also surround it. If you cherish floriculture, take a tour of the flower farms to get an unique Kenyan experience. Trips to these farms are free.
6. Go To the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
Crater Lake is a small alkaline lake located at thge bottom of an extinct volcano on the western side of Lake Naivasha. It lies within a personal game sanctuary that attracts a variety of animals and birds. Visitors can explore the game sanctuary on foot and spot wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and bird types like the impressive flamingos. A nature walk the rim of the crater takes about 2 hours.
7. Hike, Ol Doinyo Eburru
The Eburru Forest is among our preferred hiking spots in Kenya. It’s less congested than the other popular tracks like Mt. Longonot and offers an authentic connection with nature. This indigenious forest is nestled within the folds of Ol Doinyo Eburru mountain, which rises 2,820 metres above water level at its acme. The Eburru treking trail leads from the forest gate through dry lands and thick forests to contrasting valleys and steep ridges. You’ll go by crystal-clear streams and a waterfall along the way. The final climb causes a ridge with amazing views of Lake Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley.
8. Visit Hells Gate, National Park
Named after a narrow break in the cliffs and once a tributary of an ancient lake that fed early people in the Rift Valley, Hell’s Gate National Park is located south of Lake Naivasha. This place has spectacular surroundings such as; water-gouged gouges, volcanoes, stark rock towers. Hell’s Gate also has wildlife (zebras, buffalos, gazelles, and hartebeests). This park also has 3 standard camping grounds and a Maasai Cultural Centre, which offers education about the Maasai tribe’s culture and customs.
Visitors to Hell’s Gate National Park can enjoy activities such as rock climbing, mountain cycling, nature walks, picnics in the park’s plains, anbd also take pleasure in a minute in the natural spa.
9. Hiking up Mt. Longonot
This extinct volcano is a hiker’s paradise, with scenic landscapes and unobstructed views of Lake Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley. The walking will take about 4 to 6 hours, depending upon one’s endurance. For newbie hikers, you can begin with Sleeping Warrior and and Ugali Hills in Elementaita, about 30 minutes from Naivasha.
10. Learn and play Golf at Barons Park Golf Centre
Barons Park is Kenya’s first dedicated golf practice center, situated on tje Nairobi-Nakuru highway at the Delamere Kobil Service station. You can learn and play golf for just Ksh 200 here. Their intention is to dispel the misconception that golf is just for the wealthy individual. It consists of a day and night golf practice area, full-size multi-hole putting greens, a pro store, a clubhouse, and golf direction centers.
11. Take a flower farm Tour
Naivasha is the horticultural center, accounting for 40% of Kenya’s cut flower exports and is home to around 70 flower farms. This is due to the region’s fertile soils adn plentiful water. To learn more about the numerous flower varieties grown in the area, you can book a free flower farm trip. You will be surprised to discover that there are roughly 14 various types of roses.
12. Take Horseback Safaris at The Sanctuary Farm
The Sanctuary Farm is an enjoyable surprise. Unlike in Hell’s Gate, where you only area animals from a distance, you can get up close and personal with the wildlife here. You can choose to explore the sanctuary on foot or horseback. Whatever the case, you’ll have gorgeous encounters with zebras, giraffes, gazelles, adn wildebeests. The captivating farmhouse inside the sanctuary is also an outstanding base for your trip to Naivasha. It’s ideal for a weekend vacation for families or small groups.
13. Check Out BMM Bikers Recreational Centre
BMM Bikers Recreational Centre, situated on Moi South Lake, is a one-stop shop for adrenaline junkies. Horseback riding, hoverboarding, quad bikes, archery, motorcycle, skating, PS4 video games, table tennis, volleyball, and drive club simulation for kids to discover driving skills are all available at the centre.
For Ksh 200, they also host bootcamp sessions with unlimited challenges and barriers to try out and conquer. Dirt bikes cost Ksh1,500 for 15 minutes, while quad bikes cost Ksh 900, consisting of safety equipment.
If you want to spend the night at the centre, they have stunning sleeping pods that can sleep two people for Ksh 4,000, including breakfast.
15. Go Wine Tasting at Morendat Farm
A journey to Kenya isn’t constantly about wildlife safaris, experiences, night life, and cultural experiences. There are numerous other things to do and see in the nation. Red wine tasting is one example of such an activity.
Leleshwa, situated in Morendat Farm, is the first of its kind in Kenya. Absolutely nothing pointed to a winery when the owner relocated to the nation nearly 30 years ago. Nevertheless, James Farquharson saw an opportunity and started growing vines on Morendat Farm, which overlooks Mt. Longonot.
Today, Leleshwa is an award-winning winery known for its four brand names: Merlot Shiraz, Leleshwa Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, adn Chenin Blanc.
If you’re searching for romantic places to go to in Naivasha, we suggest Leleshwa Winery. You can go on a wine-tasting tour or visit a farm.
16. Go To the Elsamere Conservation Centre
Located along the shores of Lake NAivasha, Elsamere is a lodge and conservation centre. It’s the former home of the legendary George and Joy Adamson, who spent most of their life advocating for wildlife conservation in Kenya. The couple is famous for raising Elsa, an orphaned lion, and re-introducing her into the wild. Today, Elsamere is a pleasant lodge run by the Elsa Trust, offering lodging in cottages with a homely atmosphere and excellent food.
It also has a study centre that provides conservation programmes for travelers, schools, and neighborhood groups. If you’re interested in wildlife conservation adn learning about its works, a visit to this centre is a must. You’ll also discover their works in others areas like Meru, Kora, and Samburu.
