A view of Lake Naivasha. [Photo/ softkenya.com]
Located just one hour from Kenya’s capital Nairobi, Naivasha has earned its mark as a top tourist destination not just for domestic but also international tourists.
Find below a few places to visit while in Naivasha.
1) Sanctuary Horseback Safaris
While in Lake Naivasha, visit the Sanctuary Farm, a 500-acre well carpeted spot located on the shores of Lake Naivasha.
The farm belongs to Francis Erskine who also breeds and trains racehorses and is a great place to visit if you’re a fun of horse-riding.
While here, enjoy the view of different wildlife including giraffe, wildebeest, impala, gazelle, dik dik, hippo and buffalo and birdlife.Other than horse-riding you can also take part in cycling, bird watching and nature walks.
2) Hell’s Gate National ParkHell’s Gate is known for its intense geothermal activity.
The Park is located south of Lake Naivasha and boosts several sceneries including water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers and volcanoes among others.
Visitors here can take part in rock climbing, mountain biking and enjoy a relaxing moment in the natural spa.
3) Crescent Island Game Sanctuary
Crescent Island is located in Lake Naivasha, about 80 kilometres from Nairobi on Moi South Lake Road.
The Park is known as an animal and bird sanctuary and also home of giraffe, zebra, dik dik, steenbok, impala and gazelles.
4) Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
Crater Lake Game Sanctuary is located 10 kilometers from Naivasha town and about 90 km from Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
The Park is known as an animal and bird sanctuary and also home of giraffe, zebra, dik dik, steenbok, impala and gazelles.
5) Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
Crater Lake Game Sanctuary is located 10 kilometers from Naivasha town and about 90 km from Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
The sanctuary stands on a 10,000 acre piece of land and is centred around a volcanic crater lake with spectacular green water which is home to flamingo and other wildlife.
It is here that the famous Lady Diana Delamere, is buried with her last two husbands, Gilbert Colvile and Thomas Delamere.
6) Kigio Wildlife ConservancyKigio Wildlife Conservancy is a protected area near Gilgil and is owned and operated by the local community.
The conservancy which covers 3,500 acres is located between Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha and derives its name from the area where the community that owns it came from.
Kigio Wildlife Conservancy has over 100 indigenous plant species, three hundred bird species and several wildlife including African buffalo, common eland, impala, waterbuck, hippopotamus, caracal, and other species of gazelle.
7) Lake NaivashaLake Naivasha is located just 93km from Kenya’s capital Nairobi and has a surface area of 139km2, surrounded by a swamp an area of 64 km2.
Lake Naivasha boosts the unrivalled tag of being at the highest elevation of the Rift Valley and has a very high population of hippos and birds.
The lake is fed by the perennial Malewa and Gilgil rivers. There is no visible outlet, but since the lake water is fresh it is assumed to have an underground outflow.
8) Lake Elementaita
Lake Elementaita is derived from the Maasai name Muteita which means dusty place.
The lake is located in Gilgil town, between Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha.
At the southern end of the lake are the “Kekopey” hot springs, a very popular spot for bathing, which the locals claiming it can cure Aids.
9) OlkariaVisit the Olkaria Geothermal Power Plant, situated near Hell’s Gate National Park.
Adjacent to this power plant is the Olkaria Geothermal Spa, which has naturally heated water and is a great recreation spot.
The pool has water with temperatures ranging from 30°c to 40°c.