Lake Naivasha
Kenya
A freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley, known for boat rides among hippos, birdwatching, and walking safaris at nearby Hell's Gate National Park.
<p>Lake Naivasha is a freshwater jewel in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, its glittering waters framed by yellow fever acacia trees, papyrus reed beds, and the distant escarpment walls that define this dramatic geological landscape. Sitting at an elevation of 1,884 metres above sea level, the lake enjoys a cooler, more temperate climate than Kenya's coast, making it a popular weekend escape for Nairobians -- just 90 kilometres northwest of the capital on a good tarmac road.</p>
<p>The lake's wildlife is its greatest draw. Hippos -- up to 1,000 of them -- are resident in the shallows and can be viewed from guided boat rides that glide silently through the papyrus. Crescent Island, a peninsula jutting into the lake's eastern end, offers a truly extraordinary experience: a walking safari among giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala, and waterbuck in an enclosed area entirely free of predators. Walking among these animals at ground level, without a vehicle, delivers a connection with African wildlife that is almost impossible to achieve in traditional game parks. Over 400 bird species have been recorded at the lake, making it a world-class birding destination.</p>
<p>Hell's Gate National Park, just south of the lake, offers yet another unique experience: the only national park in Kenya where you can cycle or walk freely among the wildlife. The dramatic gorge can be explored on foot or by mountain bike hired at the gate. The Olkaria Geothermal Spa nearby turns Hell's Gate's natural heat into a relaxing hot springs experience. History lovers will find Elsamere, the lakeside home of Joy Adamson (author of Born Free), open to visitors as a conservation centre and guesthouse. Nearby Lake Nakuru, a short drive north, hosts enormous flocks of flamingos and a rhino sanctuary.</p>
<p>The lake's wildlife is its greatest draw. Hippos -- up to 1,000 of them -- are resident in the shallows and can be viewed from guided boat rides that glide silently through the papyrus. Crescent Island, a peninsula jutting into the lake's eastern end, offers a truly extraordinary experience: a walking safari among giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala, and waterbuck in an enclosed area entirely free of predators. Walking among these animals at ground level, without a vehicle, delivers a connection with African wildlife that is almost impossible to achieve in traditional game parks. Over 400 bird species have been recorded at the lake, making it a world-class birding destination.</p>
<p>Hell's Gate National Park, just south of the lake, offers yet another unique experience: the only national park in Kenya where you can cycle or walk freely among the wildlife. The dramatic gorge can be explored on foot or by mountain bike hired at the gate. The Olkaria Geothermal Spa nearby turns Hell's Gate's natural heat into a relaxing hot springs experience. History lovers will find Elsamere, the lakeside home of Joy Adamson (author of Born Free), open to visitors as a conservation centre and guesthouse. Nearby Lake Nakuru, a short drive north, hosts enormous flocks of flamingos and a rhino sanctuary.</p>
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