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10 TOP REASONS TO VISIT LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK IN KENYA
The 10 top reasons to visit Lake Naivasha National Park, Hippos and flamingos are renowned for their large concentrations in Lake Naivasha. You are almost certain to witness one of the nearly 1,500 hippos in the vicinity.
With almost 400 different bird species living there, the lake is a birder’s delight. Lesser and larger flamingos congregate around the lake, creating a vivid pink wash across the water’s surface.
Near Lake Naivasha, Crescent Island, Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, and Mount Longonot National Park, you may see giraffes, zebras, impalas, and waterbucks. Even a leopard may be seen by the fortunate explorers.
Location of Lake Naivasha National Park
Lake Naivasha national park is situated in North West of Nairobi city, the capital city of Kenya outside the town of Naivasha in Nakuru County and it is part of the Great Rift Valley. The pLake Naivasha National Park name got from Masai word Naiposha which means rough water just because of storms which occurred. The park is surrounded by the green crater lake that is to say Lake Sonachi.
The Lake Naivasha National Park takes around one and a half hours drive from the Nairobi with great scenic views of the amazing Rift Valley escarpments. It takes one and half hours from Nairobi city to Naivasha National park while viewing the rift valley escarpments.
Lake Naivasha National Park is considered as the ideal place for one to relax in a fresh environment and one can relax more than two days at Lake Naivasha National Park.
Lake Naivasha National Park is commonly known to be a birding destination along the shores of the lake. The park was innovated on 10th April 1995 and the park covers an area of 140 square kilometers.
1. TREES
The national park is surrounded by Acacia trees which are found besides the banks of the lake. The thick forest is fashioned out of tree species that is to say yellow fever trees and Candelabra Euphorbia and so many others. Elsamere is one of the trees in Lake Naivasha National Park with sisal that make the forest along the banks of Lake Naivasha
2. Animals In Lake National Park
Lake Naivasha National Park habours various antelope species, buffaloes, giraffes and hippos and many others. The park holds over 350 bird species that is aided by wide range of vegetation cover ranging from swamp vegetation to forest. The thick papyrus is a home for swamp species that is to say; weaver birds, flamingo, spoonbill, African fish Eagle and so many others.
3. BIRD WATCHING
Lake Naivasha consists of shallow fresh water which do attract many tourists from different areas and it is supplied by Gilgil and also malewa plus the seasonal Karati rivers which do drain the Aberdare Mountains alongside substantial ground water seepage. The lake itself holds up a diverse water bird community with more 80 species which is recorded regularly during the censuses.
4. LOVE FOR ADVENTURE
Tourists from different countries visit Lake Naivasha specifically for love for adventure which is usually begins at 6:00AM with pickup in Nairobi city. Hiking up the mountain is an exciting adventure that will see you interact with wild animals like leopard, antelopes and buffaloes.
5. GAME VIEWING
Game viewing in Lake Naivasha National Park can be done with game drives or walking safaris. The animals that can be seen during game viewing include; waterbucks, zebras, hippos, giraffes wildebeest and so many others
6. BOAT CRUISE
This activity allows the tourists to enjoy fresh air along Lake Naivasha National Park as well as wildlife including the birds. The hippos can be seen basking in the waters of Lake Naivasha and mud nearby and also other animals like Zebras, elephant.
7. HIKING
Hiking on mountain Longnot does not need any experience, it only needs someone with fitness and the hike takes between 2-4 hour. Also the mountain is scenic with the large crater on top of the mountain; you will be able to view the whole Lake Naivasha National Park.
8.HORSE BACK RIDING
It is one of the activities done on Lake Naivasha in Kenya You can use a horse to do a game drive so as to close to the wildlife while on the back of the horse while escorted by the game ranger as the guide is close to the animals. Horse ridding is better for these honeymooners and also first time guests to feel the fresh air of the African environment.
9. CRATER LAKE SANCTUARY
This lake was formed by the process of volcanic activity and it is located in the centre of the lake Naivasha National Park. It is a home of large wildlife games that is to say zebras, leopards, giraffes and so many others. It is also a key destination of birders with over 150 species recorded around the crater game sanctuary.
10. MOUNT LONGONOT
Mount Longonot was named Olo Nongot by the local people the Maasai which means the mountain of many summits. On top it has a large crater with no water and it takes 2-4 hours to hike depending on someone’s experience. It is an extinct volcano with the height of 2776 meters above sea level.
2.ACCOMMODATION
1.Rift valley Lodge at Lake Naivasha. It is situated at the middle of a green environment, very big open spaces for walking.
2.Resort at Lake Naivasha. It is known to be an appealing property with animals such as giraffes, antelopes, and also zebras. This resort gives out good looking pictures.
3.Lake Naivasha Country Club. It is situated on the shores of the Gems in the Rift Valley Lakes. Naivasha country club offers the following; bird watching, and nature walks.It is the home base for travelers looking to travel over the natural beauty of Lake Naivasha and Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. Naivasha country club is about 55 acre property filled with lavish gardens in Naivasha, open lawns, swimming pools and also acacia trees.
4.Sawela Lodges. This lodge affords 90 rooms and any tourist can choose between superior rooms, Deluxe rooms Business Deluxe Rooms, a Business Suite and an Executive Suite
HOTEL AMENITIES
- Car rental desk
- Business services
- Breakfast buffet
- Accessible rooms
- Email service
- Free Internet in rooms and public spaces
- Room services
- Phone service
CONCLUSION
Lake Naivasha National park is famous for having a very high number of hippos and flamingos and there are over 1500 hippos in the area. It is also a great spot for fishing with tilapia, carp as well as cart fish. The travelers also get more chances of spotting the African fish Eagle along with many other species of water bird.