LAKE NAIVASHA AND SURROUNDING AREAS

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Driving northwest from Nairobi through Limuru and then continuing down the escarpment and proceeding north across the floor of the Rift Valley one reaches the first of the Rift Lakes. Kenya’s seven Rift Valley lakes run from north to south on the map. All are the setting for magnificent bird-life.

They are a necklace of glittering jewels along the floor of Africa where water is precious and sight of it is always rejuvenating. Lakes Naivasha, Elementeita and Nakuru, whose incredibly blue waters reflect sun-drenched mountains, may be seen in a day excursion from Nairobi, although there is accommodation at Lake Naivasha and at Nakuru.

The swirling inland winds which send ‘dust devils’ cavorting wildly across the plains make for ideal sailing on papyrus-fringed fresh water Lake Naivasha which is set at the foot of Mount Longonot 2,776 meters (9,111 ft), on the north side. The fishing is good for black bass and tilapia. It was on Lake Naivasha that East Africa’s first air-passengers used to land in the flying boats of Imperial Airways.

Behind the lake at “Hell’s Gate Gorge” where bat-eared foxes roam a moonlike landscape, there are Hot Springs and geysers. The nearby cliffs are the home of the Lammergeyer and Verreaux’s Eagle. Both Mount Longonot and Hell’s Gate Gorge are National parks to preserve their unique attractions.

Smallest of Kenya’s five alkaline lakes in the Rift, Lake Elementeita sometimes has breeding colonies of greater flamingo. Kariandusi Prehistoric Site between the lake and the main Nairobi/Nakuru Road is well worth a visit.

HELL’S GATE NATIONAL PARK

Just off Lake Naivasha. Famous for it’s natural hot geysers, eagle and vulture breeding grounds, visitors have a choice of driving or walking within the park. Rock climbing and horseback safaris can also be arranged. Special locations in the park include; Fischer’s Tower, Central Tower and Njorowa Gorges. Two extinct volcanoes; Olkaria and Hobley’s are worth a trip.

Natural steam vents rise from fissures in the volcanic rock. Obsidian, a striking black glassy rock formed from cooled molten lava is a feature of the landscape. Game to view includes; Masai Giraffe, Eland, Heartebeest, lion, leopard and cheetah.

A haven for ornithologists and rock climbers, the cliffs of Hell’s Gate are the breeding grounds for vultures, Verreaux Eagles, Augur Buzzard and thousands of Swifts. 103 species of birds have been recorded in the park.

MT. LONGONOT NATIONAL PARK

A young volcano, which rises to 2,776 meters above sea level, is an arresting sight for visitors to the Naivasha basin. Created amongst the massive eruptions which, formed the Great Rift Valley, it’s sides now have beautiful V – Shaped valleys and ridges with impenetrable forest around the area of the crater giving it a lush green aspect.

The park surrounds the volcano. Mount Longonot offers a wide range of attractions for visitors keen on activity-based holidays, including; hiking, rock climbing, biking, bird viewing and game viewing. Accommodation within these parks is based from around Lake Naivasha, where there is a good lodge and a number of luxury ranches and homestays. Lake Naivasha provides ample accommodation for all tastes and budgets.