February 12, 2025
10 Great Places to Visit in Naivasha

10 Great Places to Visit in Naivasha

A renowned tourist attraction and market town, Naivasha is becoming more and more well-known in the travel and tour sector. 

From Nairobi, it’s only an hour to reach Naivasha

With many tourist sites located around the breathtaking Great Rift Valley, this market town has become a prominent travel destination for domestic and foreign travelers.

There are hotels and campgrounds in practically every area of Naivasha. 

If you’re thinking about visiting Naivasha, the following list highlights some of the city’s top tourist attractions:

Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate, which lies south of Lake Naivasha and is named after a narrow break in the cliffs that was once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley, offers breathtaking scenery like water gouged gouges, volcanoes, stark rock towers, and wildlife (zebras, buffalos, gazelles, hartebeests). 

Along with three modest campsites, this park features a Maasai Cultural Center that offers information on the customs and culture of the Maasai people. 

Activities available to visitors at Hell’s Gate include rock climbing, mountain biking, nature hikes, picnics on the park’s plains, and relaxing in the area’s natural spa. 

You just can’t afford to skip going there when in Naivasha.

Crescent Island

The lowest point near Lake Naivasha is Crescent Island, which has a maximum depth of 30 meters (100 feet). This park is 80 kilometers from Nairobi via the Moi South Lake Road and 15 minutes by boat from the Lake Naivasha shoreline. 

Numerous bird species can be seen in this park, which is also known as the bird sanctuary.

Lake Naivasha

A freshwater lake called Lake Naivasha lies 93 kilometers to the northwest of Nairobi. Its name comes from the Maasai word Nai’posha, which means “rough water” due to the lake’s sporadic violent storms.

Lake Naivasha is considered to be the highest point in the Rift Valley. With over 400 different species of birds and a high population of hippos, the lake is one of the best sites to tour in Naivasha. 

Surprisingly, there isn’t an obvious outflow, but since it’s a freshwater lake, subterranean outlets are probably present. The perennial Gilgil and Malewa rivers feed this lake. 

Sawela Lodge, Naivasha Kongoni Lodge, and Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort are a few of the hotels close to Lake Naivasha. Lake Naivasha Resort and Panorama Park Lodge are two more hotels on the lake’s periphery.

Lake Oloiden

The most remarkable aspect of Oloiden is its Flamingo population, making it one of the less frequented tourist destinations in the Naivasha area. 

Kenya’s biggest flower farms are located in Oloiden, where visitors may also take a boat ride and camp for a peaceful getaway.

Crater Lake

Situated 10 kilometers from Naivasha town and around 90 kilometers from Nairobi, Crater Lake is a green soda lake situated at the base of an extinct volcano on, the western side of Lake Naivasha. 

This lake, which has amazing green water, is located inside a private wildlife sanctuary. 

Numerous flamingos congregate in the lake, and wildlife is abundant in the nearby grasslands and woods, including birds, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and elands. With its nature paths and lush foliage surrounding the crater, it’s a great area to explore on foot.

Mount Longonot

You wouldn’t want to miss Mount Longonot on your trip to Naivasha; it’s located about 28 miles from the town and 90 km from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. 

One of the locations you encounter when traveling into the Great Rift Valley is Mt. Longonot, which rises from the valley floor and offers breathtaking views of the well-known Lake Naivasha.  

Visitors can see animals such as buffaloes, elands, lions, leopards, bushbucks, common zebras, giraffes, and Grant’s gazelles while they are here.

Lake Elementaita

The term Elementaita originates from the Maasai word “Muteita,” which means dusty land. Between Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha in Gilgil Town is where you’ll find this soda lake. 

In addition to being well-known for its wildlife and hot springs, this lake is also home to a substantial flamingo population. Neapolitan herons and pelicans fish on the reed beds by the lake. 

Near this lake lies the well-liked Kariandusi Museum.

Ol Karia

Olkaria is situated in the center of Hell’s Gate National Park in the Great Rift Valley, south of Lake Naivasha. 

It is well-known for its geothermal spa, which features Blue Lagoons with naturally heated water for both therapeutic and recreational swimming. The pools’ water temperatures range from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius. 

Away from the bustle of the city, this is the ideal location for revelers. An unforgettable experience is created by the breathtaking scenery.

Kigio Wildlife Conservancy

Kigio is a wildlife conservation center that is guarded by the neighborhood. It’s in the Great Rif Valley, close to Gilgil. 

This conservation site is home to more than three hundred bird species, including what is thought to be the largest population of grey-crested helmetshrikes in the world, as well as a broad range of native plant species. 

A variety of animals like African buffalo, common eland, impala, waterbuck, hippopotamus, and several types of gazelles, also birds are found here.

Sanctuary Horseback Safaris

This area, which spans 500 acres, is found near the freshwater Lake Naivasha. 

The ideal location for Mount Longonot climbing, Hell’s Gate rock climbing and canyon walks and Nakuru National Park game viewing is Sanctuary Farm. 

Visitors to this farm can unwind by the lovely pool and observe the animals while they graze. 

There are on-site activities like cycling, horseback riding, and bird watching. It’s the ideal retreat from the bustle and glitz of city life.

10 Great Places to Visit in Naivasha