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Lake Naivasha

Explore Lake Naivasha: Wildlife, Activities & Travel Guide”

Lake Naivasha Safari Tours

Lake Naivasha is situated at the highest elevation of the Kenyan Rift Valley. This freshwater lake, located north of Nairobi and encompassing 13,900 hectares together with an adjacent marsh, hosts hippo pods, many avian species, and various wildlife. The lake is located less than two hours from Nairobi and near other intriguing attractions, like Hell’s Gate National Park and Mount Longonot.

The gently sloping sides of Mount Longonot encompass the crater of a stratovolcano, whose empty floor is adorned with a verdant vegetation and punctuated by sporadic steam vents. Zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, and hartebeests graze around its perimeter and floor, while elusive leopards conceal themselves behind thick vegetation. Hell’s Gate National Park is a little drive from Lake Naivasha, where visitors can traverse the remnants of an ancient river leading to a prehistoric lake, bordered by towering cliffs on both sides.

This region is renowned for its exceptional hiking and nature trails, daytime and nocturnal game drives, cycling, and camping opportunities. Its closeness to Nairobi facilitates its inclusion in any Kenyan itinerary, whether for a day excursion or several overnight stays at the numerous lodges and camps nearby.

Lake Naivasha Map

Hotels and Lodges in Lake Naivasha

More Information About Lake Naivasha

What is the optimal time to visit Kenya?

Kenya, akin to the all of Africa, is a perennial destination. Certain months are more conducive to game observation and the renowned Great Migration, while others are optimal for landscapes, avian life, and mixtures of coastal and wilderness experiences. The outcome ultimately hinges on your individual interests and choices. Let us examine the seasonal highlights.

August to October

This is the optimal period to visit Kenya for wildlife safaris and to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Maasai Mara. The migration is initiated by precipitation patterns and the emergence of new grass. The arid, winter months are optimal for general game observation. Whether or not you observe the Great Migration, your East African safari experience will be extraordinary!

December to March

The optimal period to visit Kenya for beaches, landscapes, avian life, and wildlife observation, excluding peak season, is from December to March. In these months, wildlife observation remains exceptional, and a reduced number of travelers results in advantageous offers. The days are warm, predominantly clear, and relatively low in humidity along Kenya’s tropical coastline.

April to May

When is it not an optimal time to visit Kenya? The long rains inundate Kenya in April and May with a humid monsoon, transforming the shoreline into a humid mist and the interior into a marshy yet strikingly scenic muck. The optimal period to visit Kenya for solitude. Consult our vacation Experts before to determining your vacation dates for Kenya.

What distinguishes Kenya safaris?

East Africa is renowned for its wildlife-abundant plains, quintessential African scenery, and the Great Wildebeest Migration, which should be prioritized on any list of Kenya’s highlights.

– Witness the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebra, topi, Thomson’s gazelles, and other plains game traverse in search of seasonal water and food resources.

– The “Samburu Special 5” comprises distinctive species exclusive to the region: Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, beisa oryx, and reticulated giraffe.

– Expansive unfenced national parks, where substantial herds of animals traverse their historical migration routes unimpeded.

– The effective coexistence of humans and animals in conservancies adjacent to national parks.

– The populace of Kenya appreciates the vibrant and spectacular Maasai and Samburu, who embody traditional African lives.

Kenya boasts remarkable wildlife and other captivating destinations, including World Heritage Sites such as Lamu Old Town on Lamu Island, 13th-century ruins of Arab port cities, Mount Kenya, and the spectacular Swahili coastline.

Optimal bush-and-beach combinations with convenient access to the coastline and tropical islands such as Lamu, the Zanzibar Archipelago, and Seychelles.

Kenya safari holidays are suitable for families due to the use of enclosed vehicles, for instance. Numerous lodges provide triple accommodations, family flats, and exclusive safari activities for youngsters.

What is the method to reach Kenya?

Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is a prominent commercial center in East Africa, attracting international visitors from all regions globally.

Spend a few nights immersing yourself in Nairobi’s urban culture or only one night to relish a comfortable bed following the lengthy travel. Depending on the arrival time of your international flight, you may opt to forgo the city and proceed directly to your intended destination — a quintessential East Africa safari.

Although carriers frequently alter their itineraries to Africa arbitrarily, you can presently access Kenya from the following prominent cities:

Abu Dhabi via Etihad Airways

– Amsterdam via KLM or Kenya Airways

– Bangkok via Kenya Airways

– Doha via Qatar Airways

– Dubai via Emirates or Kenya Airways

– Frankfurt via Lufthansa

– Istanbul via Turkish Airlines

– London via British Airways or Kenya Airways

– Mumbai via Kenya Airways

– New York via Kenya Airways

– Paris via Air France or Kenya Airways

– Zurich via Swiss Air

What are the transportation options for your safari holiday in Kenya?

Upon arriving in Nairobi following your long-haul journey, you may partake in your Kenya wildlife safari via road, air, or a mix of both methods. The factors of time, money, and convenience will impact your decision-making process.

Aerial navigation over Kenya

Domestic air travel is the most comfortable, convenient, and time-efficient means of transportation for your Kenya safari trips or classic bush and beach adventures. Aircraft are mostly of the smaller Cessna variety and are serviced by Nairobi’s domestic airport, about a 90-minute drive from the internationalairport, which is a significant factor for same-day connections. A fly-in safari is an exceptional method to experience Kenya’s attractions, significantly reduces travel time, and avoids the inconveniences of a prolonged, jarring journey.

What is the cost of a safari in Kenya?

The expense for a safari in Kenya varies between $200 to $3,000 per individual each day. Consult with one of our Travel Experts to guarantee an optimal Kenya safari experience tailored to your schedule and financial constraints. Several factors affect the overall cost of your Kenya safari:

– A period characterized by significant disparities between low and high season pricing.

– Your selection of safari lodges and camps.

– Length of your stay, featuring significant discounts for prolonged reservations

– The cost increases in direct correlation to the remoteness of your location and your mode of transportation, such as flying versus traveling by overland safari vehicle.

– A selection of safari activities, encompassing both inclusive wildlife experiences and exclusive hot air balloon excursions.

Am I required to take any medication or prophylactic treatment for Kenya?

Affirmative. We advise the use of anti-malarial medicine regardless of the season during which you want to visit Kenya. Seek guidance from your healthcare provider regarding the appropriate prophylactic measures for your body well before your travel date. If you reside in or want to travel through a yellow fever endemic area, vaccination and certification are required.

A concise overview of Kenya’s history

Kenya possesses a rich and intriguing history that extends back to 6 million BC, marked by the presence of Orrorin tugenensis, one of the earliest known hominins, inhabiting the Tugen Hills. This region of Kenya is currently safeguarded and conserved, allowing for exploration of human antiquity at the National Museum of Kenya in Nairobi.

Over the years, the advancement of tool-making by Homo erectus and Homo sapiens has been documented, underscoring the profound historical significance of this country.

In 1498, the Portuguese, led by Vasco da Gama, arrived in Kenya and established control over major ports, including Mombasa. Two centuries later, Arab influence compelled the Portuguese to evacuate. In the 1840s, European missionaries arrived, captivated by their initial view of Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

In the 1850s, lakes Tanganyika and Victoria were explored by Burton and Speke, whose expeditions are chronicled in the historical novel by William Harrison. Following the expansion of British dominance in Kenya, the British Government annexed Kenya and Uganda, establishing British East Africa by 1895.

In the subsequent six years, Nairobi was forcibly converted from a Maasai agricultural settlement into the railway hub connecting Mombasa and Uganda, which extended to Kisumu on the shores of Lake Victoria in 1901 to facilitate trade among these prosperous regions. In 1920, Kenya was formally designated as a British colony.

After numerous attempts to expand colonization in Kenya, its populace resisted. Beginning in 1942, representatives from various local tribes collaborated to combat British colonial rule. Ten years later, Jomo Kenyatta, then 61, was actively leading the independence struggle and was subsequently incarcerated alongside 82 other nationalists.

The rebellion persisted, and in 1963, Kenya attained independence, with Jomo Kenyatta elected as Prime Minister. Since its independence, Kenya has been forging a path for its citizens, and despite a journey marked by a tumultuous past, the nation persists in its collective struggle to thrive and advance for its future. Currently, tourism constitutes a significant component of Kenya’s expanding economy and prosperity.

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