Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is a fresh water lake in central Kenya that lies just on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley. The lake is elevated at 1,884 meters making it one with the highest elevation in the rift valley. Lake Naivasha covers an area of 139 km2 and is surrounded by papyrus swamps and forests of the yellow barked Acacia Xanthophlea commonly called the yellow fever trees. The unique flora together with the lake make a perfect habitat for wide number of bird and mammal species. The Lake’s waters and surrounding fertile soils also enhance agricultural activities in the area. 

When our main guide, James, was sick for a long time as a child, he was finally cured from drinking a mediciine made from the bark of the yellow fever tree.

Lake Naivasha is named after a Maasai word “Nai’posha” which means “Rough waters” and the lake was given this name because in some seasons there are sudden storms that arise on the lake waters. 

For more: https://www.lakenakurukenya.com/lake-naivasha/

Mt. Longonot in the background

We did not take the adventurous climb up Mt. Longonot, a dormant volcano. It takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach the crater of the mountain. As you climb up you can see leopards, buffaloes, antelopes, and others animals.

West of Mt. Longonot is where they tap steam for energy

You are not allowed to walk alone at night without an escort because of the hippopotamus that wander in from the lake. The animals walked around freely inside an electric fence and regular fence that was closed at night. We could see them from our balconies.

                      Four rooms to a cottage

We took a scenic boat ride around a part of the lake.

                               Night time visitors