Tim and Lara's Kenya Page

Lake Naivasha

Naivasha, a corruption of the Maasai E-na-iposha (meaning "heaving waters"), was found in 1884 for the Western world by Joseph Thomson. Lake Naivasha, located in the Rift Valley, is one of the only freshwater lakes in Kenya and is set in a beautiful area. A cool breeze helps during the day and the climate is pleasant most of the year.

The lake has a large hippo population which spend the greater part of their time floating in the lake close to shore. In the evenings they frequently wander through the lodge grounds. (Free hint: Hippos are very dangerous, so don't play around with them, either in the water or on terra firma.) The lake also has a tremendous variety of birdlife, and bird lovers can watch to their hearts content.

Crescent Island, located on the lake's eastern side, is a private game sanctuary and well worth visiting as long as you are already there. The island is only about two square kilometers and is actually the rim of a volcanic crater. The bay formed by the crater is the deepest part of the lake. Although small, the island contains a good deal of wildlife, including gazelle, waterbuck, and python. A narrow causeway to the mainland probably aids in this. Birdlife is also plentiful.

South of Lake Naivasha is Hell's Gate National Park. Abundant wildlife, although apparently few big cats. This is mainly for hikers, and worthwhile if you have the time.

South and a little east of Naivasha is Mount Longonot, a personal favorite. Longonot rises from the floor of the Rift Valley and, although not all that tall, takes a couple of hours to climb. An extinct volcano, it offers a tremendous view of both its crater and the surrounding Rift Valley. It is possible to climb down into the crater, but most people prefer to walk around the rim, which can take two or three hours but is worth the time and effort.

Longonot was the target of occasional outings from Rift Valley Academy, a boarding school on the side of the valley and from which the mountain can be clearly seen. A couple of friends and I once decided to hike there one weekend. We left RVA at 2:00 A.M. Saturday morning and got there right about dawn. It was great. Walking through the Rift Valley at night and climbing Longonot as the sun came up was an experience I will never forget. Camping was allowed on the rim at one time (quite a few years ago) but I don't know if it still is.

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