"Bird watching at Lake Naivasha" Top 5 Page for this destination Lake Naivasha by tompt

Lake Naivasha Travel Guide: 82 reviews and 256 photos

Many different birds around Lake Navaisha

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake and the surrounding soil is very fertile therefor this is a major production area for fruit and vegetables and flowers. But we visited to see the over 300 birdspecies that have been recorded on the lake, besides that there is abundant wildlife in the water (a large number of hippo) and on the land.
The lake is almost 13 kms across with shallow waters with an average depth of five meters. The area varies greatly according to rainfall, the average ranges between 114 and 991 sq km. At the beginning of the 20th century the lake completely dried up. The resulting open land was farmed, until heavy rains a few years later caused the lake to return, swallowing up the newly established estates.

Between 1937 and 1950 the lake was used as a landing place for plane passengers destined for Nairobi. The waterplane from London landed on the lake where the Lake Naivasha Country Club now stands, and travellers boarded a bus for Nairobi.

Tom looking for birds

After a boattrip on the lake we went to the Lake Navaisha Country Club for lunch. We were lucky to stay in this old colonial architectural hotel. The rooms and cottages are on a 12 hectares of green lawns with acacias and fever trees giving shade. Walk through the garden to the wateredge and you will find the boats to make a trip on the lake or go fishing. There is also a shaded lookout where you can watch the birds.

The local Masai called the lake Nai'posha meaning ''rough water'', because the afternoon wind can cause the lake to become suddenly rough and produce high waves. The British later misspelt it as Naivasha..

Giraffe crossing the water

Except discovering the lake by boat you can also go on a walking safari to Crescent Island. Because there are no predators on this island it is one of the few places in Africa where you can wander on foot among herds of antelope. We didn't do that but we saw some wildlife from our boat during a boattrip.

Last visit to Lake Naivasha: Oct 2004
Intro Updated Feb 25, 2005
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Reviews (5)

Fishing in Lake Naivasha Things to Do (4)

It is possible to go fishing in the lake. Originally there was only carp in the lake. But introduced species toke over.... more travel advice

pelicans at Lake Naivasha - Lake Naivasha

Bird Watching is the thing to do... Things to Do (4)

Around Lake Naivasha you can find over 300 different birdspecies. Some are very frequent, like these pelicans. But there... more travel advice

Try to go under the bridge ;-) - Lake Naivasha

Try to go under the bridge ;-) Things to Do (4)

When we were in the boat a giraffe crossed a shallow portion of the lake. Ofcourse our captain did not disturb it, it... more travel advice

See the hippo by boat Things to Do (4)

There are several boattrips offered on the lake. They will take you very close to the many hippo living here. But there... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
where chinese ministers have lunch

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Comments (5)

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KiKitC Sep 15, 2009 at 3:35 AM

Your photos are beautiful. So jealous of your adventures. Hope you have a spectacular birthday!
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davesut May 19, 2009 at 1:13 PM

Great photos here and love that room hope to bump into you soon.
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Zanzibargirl Oct 21, 2005 at 11:40 PM

Thx for the comments, love the giraffe and bird shots. Fantastic photos.
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roamer61 Oct 3, 2005 at 7:27 AM

Nice pics of the birds and other wildlife around the lake.
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Efrika Nov 17, 2004 at 10:12 AM

great photos! I must bookmark your pages :)