Escape the City: Your Perfect Lake Naivasha Day Trip Itinerary!

Lake Naivasha is one of the only freshwater lakes in the Rift Valley and is a commonly visited spot for day trips or weekends away from Nairobi. Another major reason is the tranquil woodland surrounding - a welcome relief from the sordid city streets and bustle of Nairobi. Look out for fever trees and vast flocks of birds, monkeys, and hippos. 

Such a desirable site enticed a group of British immigrants to establish residences on its coasts. These immigrants, dubbed "White Mischief," were worldwide known for their luxurious, hedonistic lifestyle. The 1987 film of the same name, starring Greta Scacchi, was based on a legendary social murder that occurred around this time in this place.

This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know to plan your Lake Naivasha day trip, from transportation and activities to accommodation options.

Lake Naivasha is home to abundant wildlife, especially hippos and flamingos

Lake Naivasha National Park Tourism - All You Need to Know about the safari hot spot

Where is Lake Naivasha National Park located?

Located 90km northwest of Nairobi, a safari in Lake Naivasha National Park is often combined with a trip to Lake Nakuru National Park or Masai Mara.

Lake Naivasha National Park takes around 90 minutes drive northwest from the capital Nairobi with great scenic views of the stunning Rift Valley escarpments.  

Best Time to Visit Lake Naivasha

Understanding the best time to visit Kenya is important as this will impact accommodation, flight prices, availability and the weather that visitors can expect on their safari vacation.  

The long dry season is the best time to visit Lake Naivasha, and also when combined with a safari to Masai Mara to view the Great Wildebeest Migration from August to October.

Entrance Gates and Timings to have a trip to Lake Naivasha:

Lake Naivasha National Park has a single main entry gate that is open all year for tourists.   The park is normally open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.   The entry gate is closest to the town of Naivasha, allowing for easy access to the park.

Lake Naivasha is famous for having the only freshwater lake in the area

How to get to Lake Naivasha? Transportation Insights

How to get to Lake Naivasha by flight

About 85 miles separate Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi from Lake Naivasha's closest airport. Nairobi Wilson Airport is also close should you choose to go within Kenya.

Either a private transfer to the park or a cab from the airport can be hired by guests. Traffic and road conditions will determine the approximately two to three hours the travel by automobile takes.

How to get to Lake Naivasha by road

Visitors from Nairobi can use the A104 highway and follow the signs to Naivasha.   The distance is around 90 kilometers, and the travel takes about 2.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.   Private automobiles, leased cars, and taxis are common ways to get to the park by car.

How to get from Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha

The distance between Maasai Mara and Naivasha is 322 km.   The road distance is 242.8 km.   The fastest way to get from Maasai Mara to Naivasha is to drive which takes 4h 39m

How to get from Amboseli to Lake Naivasha 

There are no direct scheduled flights from Amboseli to Lake Naivasha.   However, you can take a scheduled flight from Amboseli (Amboseli Airstrip) to Nairobi (Wilson Airport) and then another flight from Nairobi to Naivasha (Naivasha Airport)

The cheapest way to get from Amboseli National Park to Lake Naivasha is to drive and train which costs $16 - $35 and takes 7h 27m.

How to get from Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha  

While there are no direct scheduled flights between Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha, you can can take a matatu (minibus) from Nakuru town to Naivasha town.   This is the most budget-friendly option, but it may involve some waiting time and multiple stops along the way.

The distance between Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha is 587 km.

How to get from Nairobi Lake Naivasha

The best way to get to Naivasha from Nairobi is via vehicle.   Naivasha is around 90 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, and the drive takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic circumstances. You may drive or take a public bus or matatu (shared minivan cab). Self-driving is a popular choice for flexibility, although buses and matatus are regular and inexpensive.

How To Get Around Lake Naivasha

Getting around Lake Naivasha depends on your budget, time constraints, and desired level of adventure

Lake Naivasha’s top destinations are spread out so figuring out how to travel around is a must.

Renting a Car

Having your own car is by far the easiest way to get around Lake Naivasha. It allows you to travel on your own schedule and see places that might otherwise be inaccessible by public transit. Most campgrounds and resorts cater to car campers and offer enough parking. A 4x4 is not necessary for visiting sights surrounding Lake Naivasha, however it may be useful on certain dirt road. An exciting and wonderful trip to lake Naivasha on the weekend is always the top choice. So you need to note to book a car rental about 2 to 4 days before the trip.

Renting a Bicycle

Renting a bicycle is a great way to have a Lake Naivasha day trip . Renting a bike costs about $7 a day depending on where you book. If you rent it for longer than a day, most places will offer a discount for each additional day. I’d recommend doing this if you’re staying at Fisherman’s Camp, Camp Carnelley’s, or one of the other lakeside lodges. If you’re in Naivasha town, you might be too far to reasonably cycle everywhere.

By Matatu (Shared Minibuses)

The shared minibus taxis do run around Lake Naivasha, although there is no set schedule or guarantee that there’ll be space. It’s a gamble, but it is doable to use only matatus to get around. Keep in mind they will stick entirely to the main highway around Lake Naivasha, so any detours like Hell’s Gate National Park will require an additional form of transport.

Things to Do on a Lake Naivasha - Adventures and Activities

Lake Naivasha is home to various bucket list activities for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and more. The activities were varied and engaging. Here are the finest things to do at Lake Naivasha.

Boat Ride on Lake Naivasha

One of the top things to do at Lake Naivasha is boat safaris.   Visitors may enjoy magnificent boat safaris on Lake Naivasha, which allow them to see hippos, many bird species, and other aquatic animals.   These excursions normally take one to two hours and provide a unique view of the lake's environment.  

Visitors can enjoy scenic boat safaris on Lake Naivasha

Game Drives

The park offers guided game drives where tourists may see giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and hippos.   Game drives normally take a few hours and can be tailored to tourists' tastes.

Bird watching 

This is one of the top things in Lake Naivasha National Park.  Lake Naivasha is one of Kenya’s top birding destinations, home to over 400 species of birds.   You can bird watch Lake Naivasha all year round, but the best time to bird watch is during the rainy season. The park is home to many species of birds such as flamingos, African pheasants, kingfishers, and more. Migratory birds from Europe also flock here in the winter.

Lake Naivasha is famous for its high populations of hippos and flamingos

Admire the amazing Crater Lake Game Sanctuary

A trip to Lake Naivasha is not complete without a visit to the Crater Lake Game

This small sanctuary, which surrounds a lovely volcanic crater lake bordered with acacias, has various routes, one of which leads hikers up the high but smaller crater rim. The local Maasahave high esteem for the jade-green crater lake, believing that its alkaline waters assist to heal sick livestock. In addition to the amazing 150 bird species documented here, giraffes, zebras, and other plains fauna frequent the more open plains surrounding the crater.

Climbing Longnot National Park

Lake Naivasha is around 20 kilometers from Longonot National Park and takes approximately 45 minutes to reach by automobile.   The park is named after Mount Longonot, a stratovolcano that stands over it at 2,776 meters.   The dormant volcano may be ascended in 4-5 hours, and the peak provides stunning views. Despite its duration, the walk is not very strenuous. After finishing the climb in the morning, you may have a relaxing boat trip or game drive in the afternoon.

Mount Longonot offers adventurous hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts

Visiting Crescent Island

This is the private game reserve along the banks of Lake Naivasha reserved for guests to meet animals in the natural and personal environment. This is the stage where it is safe to come up close to the giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and antelopes because there are no predators and it has a stage reserved for close animal interaction such as this. The best times for the visit are early in the morning or very late in the afternoon, when the animals come out most frequently.

Visit Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell's Gate National Park is a daring place where one can trek or cycle across wonderful scenery with plains wildlife and several bird species: the raptors including Rüppell's vultures and Verreaux's eagle are residents of the Park making it a dream for bird watchers and nature lovers alike.

Hell's Gate offers thrilling activities such as cycling, rock climbing, and nature walks

Where to stay in Lake Naivasha

The idyllic cabins and campgrounds along the lush lakeside provide a great home base for a few days of relaxation and exploration.   Enjoy the serenity of the lake's surrounds and wake up to the sounds of animals.   There are several lodging alternatives available, ranging from low-cost campsites to luxury lodges, to suit a variety of budgets and interests.

Deloraine House

Deloraine House provides lovely accommodations right outside Lake Nakuru National Park. The home itself provides a range of activities, with horseback riding at the top of the list - an equestrian's dream! The main house is a cottage mixed with a house and magnificent environment, making it a home away from home.

Sarova Lion Hill Lodge

Sarova Hill Lodge, located on the rim of Lake Nakuru National Park, renowned for its flamingo and white rhino populations, is less than two hours by road from Nairobi and is a favorite among locals and travelers alike.   All bird-watching enthusiasts will find lodges in Sarova Hill quite idyllic, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

Conclusion 

In general, Lake Naivasha has it all when it comes to adventure travel and this includes a backpacker. 

Of course, a day trip to Lake Naivasha is quite easy, with accommodation and activities to suit every budget. A truly perfect introduction to Kenya and East Africa, it boasts stunning wildlife and breathtaking scenery. It is also an appendage to any itinerary in Kenya or East Africa. 

Let the adventure plan begin! Apply for your Kenya Visa and experience all the magic of Lake Naivasha.

Typically, travelers are not required to apply for a Kenya visa when they go there on vacation. However, they still need an ETA. One option would be for you to go to the Kenya embassy but the easiest way for you to obtain your ETA is to apply online with Kenya immigration services website