How To Get to Lake Naivasha National park from Nairobi

How To Get to Lake Naivasha National park , as a solitary traveler lacking a vehicle and the financial means for frequent guided tours, my travel possibilities were significantly constrained. Fortunately, Lake Naivasha was highly accessible and easily reachable from Nairobi.

Commence your journey from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha by proceeding to the Accra Road matatu station. The street is chaotic; however, remain vigilant for a matatu (shared minibus) displaying “Naivasha” on the window. Local opportunists will inevitably detect the unsuspecting foreigner navigating the area and attempt to coerce you into following them. Disregard them and remain vigilant for the Naivasha matatu. I erred by following one of them, resulting in my boarding the incorrect bus. I found myself on the bus to Nakuru. It traverses Naivasha but halts at the highway rather than proceeding into the town. This approach is viable; however, it necessitates an additional motorbike taxi to reach your destination. I resided approximately 45 minutes from Naivasha town, necessitating the use of a boda-boda, which ultimately proved advantageous.

The fare for the matatu travel was 600 Kenyan shillings, around $5 USD. Alternatively, you may opt to reserve an Uber for approximately $40 USD, which is a reasonable expense if shared among fellow tourists.

Lake Naivasha is accessible by an organized day tour from Nairobi. The proximity to Nairobi permits sufficient time to see Hell’s Gate National Park and partake in a boat excursion on Lake Naivasha. I recommend securing a guided trip to ensure transportation between locations. Otherwise, you are subject to sporadic matatu schedules and few transit alternatives as you venture further from the primary route.

Accommodation Options in Lake Naivasha

As a budget-conscious backpacker, I recommend two accommodations in Lake Naivasha. They are situated adjacent to one another on the beaches of Lake Naivasha, providing a more untamed experience compared to accommodations in the town of Naivasha itself.

Fishermen’s Camp

Fisherman’s Camp is situated around 45 minutes from Naivasha town, directly on the shores of Lake Naivasha. It is a brief drive from both Hell’s Gate National Park and Lake Oloiden, rendering it an excellent choice for individuals seeking a more natural environment. Diverse species of monkeys frequently congregate during the day, while the lake’s sizable population of hippos may venture ashore to graze, should fortune favor you.

This is the location of my stay, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I reserved a tent for the initial two nights prior to transitioning to a “banda” or cottage for a further two nights. Tents are available for rental, and setup services are provided. Both alternatives were economical, with the tent rental and camping site priced at approximately $11 and the cabin at about $14 per person.

How To Get Around Lake Naivasha

It is essential to determine how to navigate the dispersed top destinations of Lake Naivasha.

Vehicle Rental

Owning a car is undoubtedly the most convenient method of transportation in Lake Naivasha. It provides the autonomy to travel at your convenience and access locations that may be otherwise unreachable by public transit. Most campgrounds and resorts accommodate car campers and provide ample parking space. A 4×4 is not necessary for the sights of Lake Naivasha, although it may be advantageous for certain unpaved roads.

Renting a Bicycle

Renting a bicycle is an excellent method to explore Lake Naivasha. The cost of renting a bicycle is approximately $7 per day, contingent upon the booking location. Renting for more than one day typically qualifies for a discount on each subsequent day at most establishments. I recommend this if you are residing at Fisherman’s Camp, Camp Carnelley’s, or any other lakeside resorts. If you are in Naivasha town, you may be too distant to feasibly cycle to all locations.

Via Matatu (Shared Minibuses)

The communal minibus taxis operate around Lake Naivasha, although there is no fixed timetable or assurance of available seating. Utilizing solely matatus for transportation is a risk, however it is feasible. Note that they will adhere strictly to the primary highway encircling Lake Naivasha; hence, any diversions, such as to Hell’s Gate National Park, will necessitate an alternative mode of transportation.

Motorcycle Taxis (Boda-Boda)

Fortunately, numerous motorbike taxis, known as “boda-bodas,” are circulating in search of passengers. The cost was relatively economical, as I paid approximately $7 for the roughly hour-long journey from the main highway to my lodging at Fisherman’s Camp. Motorcycle taxis are readily observable across the primary thoroughfare. The method is somewhat informal, and it appears that most drivers are not professional taxi drivers, but rather residents with motorcycles seeking to earn additional income while traveling in the same direction. Nonetheless, a ride is a ride. One individual successfully secured my bicycle to the rear of his motorcycle after I opted to forgo cycling back from Hell’s Gate due to lethargy.Recommended Duration for Stay at Lake Naivasha

The Lake Naivasha region offers several activities, making both day trips and week-long retreats viable options for visitors. I remained for four days and yet perceived several opportunities that I felt I overlooked. Residing at Fisherman’s Camp offered a much-needed respite from the frenetic pace of Nairobi, and I cannot deny that I was captivated by its tranquil atmosphere. I recommend reserving approximately two nights initially, allowing ample time to explore Hell’s Gate National Park, cycle to Lake Oloiden, have a boat excursion on Lake Naivasha, and possibly visit Crescent Island. I would allocate an additional day to ascend Mount Longonot and potentially designate a day for recuperation, as such excursions can be extremely strenuous.

How Many Days To Spend in Lake Naivasha

The Lake Naivasha area offers several activities, making both day trips and week-long retreats viable options for a visit. I remained for four days and still felt I had missed several experiences. Residing at Fisherman’s Camp offered a much-needed respite from the frenetic pace of Nairobi, and I cannot deny that I was captivated by its tranquil atmosphere. I recommend reserving approximately two nights initially, allowing ample time to explore Hell’s Gate National Park, cycle to Lake Oloiden, have a boat excursion on Lake Naivasha, and possibly visit Crescent Island. I would allocate an additional day to ascend Mount Longonot and possibly designate a day for recuperation, as such endeavors can be rather strenuous.

The Best Things To Do in Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha features numerous must-see sites for wildlife aficionados, hikers, and others. I appreciated Lake Naivasha because to the distinctiveness of each day. The activities had a commendable diversity that maintained an engaging atmosphere. Here are the premier activities to engage in at Lake Naivasha.

Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park is the most renowned site to visit surrounding Lake Naivasha. It is renowned for serving as a primary inspiration for the landscapes and surroundings seen in The Lion King. The cliffs, gorges, and vast plains provide an extraordinary environment, while the numerous animals foraging in the long grass provide a unique experience.

Hell’s Gate National Park offers exceptional opportunities for animal observation from a distinctive vantage point. In contrast to other national parks and wildlife reserves, this park lacks huge predators such as lions or leopards, allowing safari enthusiasts to easily traverse the area by bicycle, enjoying its picturesque vistas and observing giraffes, zebras, warthogs, and various other species. The admission charge is approximately $30 USD, with an additional little price for your bicycle.

If you intend to hike, you may need to engage a guide based on the circuit you choose. Three routes of differing lengths are available, and it appears that the majority of individuals opted for a guide. I opted for the medium route due to the prohibitive cost of the longer option, and I was already fatigued from cycling the distance from Fisherman’s Camp. The vistas are exquisite, however I would not categorize it as a needed endeavor.

Lake Oloiden

Lake Oloiden is a tiny crater lake adjacent to Lake Naivasha that is frequently disregarded by travelers. I appreciated it due to the presence of certain spots that may be classified as “beaches” under generous interpretation. It was pleasant to be positioned adjacent to the waters, despite the constant threat posed by the local hippos. I cycled from Fisherman’s Camp, taking nearly two hours to traverse the 10-kilometer one-way route along the inclining hills. A boda-boda or matatu may transport you here with minimal exertion.

Crater Lake

A smaller crater lake is accessible by hiking, although I lacked the time to visit. It is located farther than Lake Oloiden and can only be accessed via private transportation or hiking. The Crater Lake Lodge is located beside the lake and welcomes both overnight guests and day visitors to enjoy the surroundings.

A prevalent method to enjoy Lake Naivasha is by boarding a boat and navigating the lake for several hours. It is highly probable that you may encounter some of the 1500 hippos inhabiting Lake Naivasha, which are undoubtedly the main attraction. Nonetheless, the region is home to numerous avian species, and although I am not an ornithology aficionado, my guide’s extensive expertise on the subject captivated my interest by the conclusion. I downloaded a bird-spotting application to create a checklist of all the species I have observed thus far.

Boat Excursion on Lake Naivasha

A prevalent method to explore Lake Naivasha is by boarding a boat and navigating the lake for several hours. It is highly probable that you may encounter some of the 1500 hippos inhabiting Lake Naivasha, which are undoubtedly the main attraction. Nonetheless, the region is home to numerous avian species, and although I am not an ornithology aficionado, my guide’s extensive expertise on the subject captivated my interest by the conclusion. I downloaded a bird-spotting application to compile a checklist of all the avian species I have observed thus far.

This is an excellent method to utilize a few hours, with a cost of approximately 3000 Kenyan shillings per hour for the entire vessel. I am uncertain whether larger boats exist, but the vessel I boarded accommodated seven individuals. Therefore, if you can get companions to share the boat, the cost of 3000 Kenyan shillings diminishes significantly.