Lake Naivasha is an area of great beauty. Being only about an hour away from Nairobi, it's a popular destination for ex-pats and tourists who come here for weekends away. The yellow fever trees line the shoreline and this attractive part of Kenya and its a good place to be close to nature. Naivasha conjures up images of the 1940’s Happy Valley set where the colonial upper classes were famous for living glamorous and decadent lives.

FLOWER FARMS

The freshwater lake is home to a large number of hippos and birdlife. It’s also a centre for many large flower farms who use water from the lake for irrigation. This has been controversial over resent years due to low levels of water in the lake which has been blamed on the flower farms in the locality.

THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND LAKE NAIVASHA

There are various outings and things to do here, including a visit to Crescent Island where you can walk in safety among wild but non dangerous animals, visit Elementaita weavers, climb Mount Longonot, visit the geothermal Project In Hells Gate National Park, visit the Elsamere conservation centre or take a boat ride on the lake.

HELL'S GATE NATIONAL PARK

For those with an interest in geological formations, this is a wonderful place to visit. Soaring red cliffs, volcanic landforms, grasslands with game and a deep gorge where visitors can walk and climb. Many people camp here as a cheaper alternative to staying in a hotel.

WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE NAIVASHA

The range of accommodation in and around Naivasha ranges from swanky 5 star hotels to self catering cottages or even a private ranch with it’s own airstrip.

Recommended HIGH END

Great Rift Valley Golf Resort

Recommended MID RANGE

Lake Naivasha Country Club