Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in the Rift Valley, popular as a relaxed stop between Nairobi and the parks further west. It's not a national park itself, so there's no game-drive-style wildlife viewing, but boat rides on the lake bring you close to large hippo pods, fish eagles and a wide range of waterbirds, and nearby Crescent Island offers walking safaris among giraffe, zebra and antelope with no predators present.
Boat rides on the lake
Walking safari on Crescent Island
Birdwatching
Visit to Hell's Gate National Park nearby for cycling and gorge walks
Year-round, since activities here are not migration-dependent. Mornings tend to have calmer water for boat rides.
About 1.5-2 hours' drive from Nairobi, making it an easy stop on the way to or from the Masai Mara or Lake Nakuru.
A range of lakeside lodges, guesthouses and camps, generally more relaxed and lower-key than the safari lodges further into the parks.
No park entry fee for the lake itself, though boat rides and Crescent Island have their own charges
A good lower-cost, lower-key addition to a longer safari circuit
Hell's Gate National Park nearby allows cycling and walking, unusual for a Kenyan park
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