Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is the highest lake in the eastern arm of the East African Rift and is a freshwater lake, while all other lakes in the eastern arm of the Rift are strongly alkaline.The lake is located in the eastern part of the East African Rift Valley.

Lake Naivasha is the highest lake in the eastern arm of the East African Rift and, like Lake Baringo, is a freshwater lake, while all other lakes in the eastern arm of the Rift are strongly alkaline.

The lake is located in the eastern part of the East African Rift Valley. The lake basin is bordered to the north by Mount Eburru volcano, to the south by the Olkaria volcanic complex and Mount Longonot volcano, to the west by the Mau Escarpent Rift Valley and to the east by the Kinangop Plateau and the Aberdare Range volcanic complex. The 3200 km² catchment area of the lake mainly drains large parts of the rainy Aberdare Range in the east, which is the main reason for the freshwater character of the lake, while the neighbouring Elmenteitasee and Nakurusee have an extremely negative hydrological budget and alkaline character. The main tributaries of Lake Naivasha are the Malewa River and the Gilgil River. Lake Naivasha has no surface runoff, but a considerable groundwater flow to the lower basins in the north and south is assumed. Groundwater flows into the basin are detected from the trench edges in the west and east.

The lake level of Lake Naivasha is subject to considerable fluctuations. In addition to natural influences, large flower farms (such as Sher Karuturi), a geothermal power plant south of the lake and the extraction of drinking water from the tributaries are blamed for the decline in the lake level. Overfishing is another environmental problem at Lake Naivasha. However, between 2011 and 2016 the lake level rose by more than 2 m, which led to the flooding of numerous meadows, the main source of food for the numerous hippos, as well as several rose farms and tourist facilities (campsites, bungalows and restaurants). Hundreds of dead trees along the shore bear witness to the former shoreline.

Crescent Island Wildlife Sanctuary
The private Crescent Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located on an island in the lake. From almost every lodge on the lake there are boat connections to the island, combined with bird watching trips. On the island itself, you can walk among the wild animals and approach zebras, wildebeests and giraffes at up to ten meters. There are no predators on the whole island, so the only danger comes from the hippos in the lake, which leave the lake in the early evening and come to the island. However, it is obvious that the island is overgrazed due to the large number of animals.

Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
The Crater Lake
The Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, also privately run, is located near the village of Kongoni, west of the lake. In the center of the scenic wildlife park is a crater lake surrounded by a forest. The lake is home to over a hundred different species of water birds. Depending on the water level of the other lakes in the Rift Valley, larger populations of flamingos can also be observed. In addition to water birds, many other species of mammals can be seen, including giraffes, zebras, baboons, eland antelopes, and black and white stump monkeys. The park can be explored on foot or by car.

The actual lodge is located in the crater and struggles with the rising water level. The circular path around the lake has already become impassable.

Hell’s Gate National Park
South of the lake is Hell’s Gate National Park. In this relatively small park of only 68 km² you can observe giraffes, zebras and monkeys. But one hardly gets to see the existing leopards and cheetahs. The center of the park is Njorowa Gorge (or Hell’s Gate). The national park is one of the few that can be explored safely on foot or by bike.