Lake Naivasha Safaris
AHSKL003
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6 Days Amboseli |
Naivasha| Masai Mara Lodge
Safari
Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake, fringed by thick
papyrus. The lake is almost 13kms across, but its waters are shallow
with an average depth of five metres. Lake area varies greatly
according to rainfall, with an average range between 114 and 991 sq
kms.
LAKE NAIVASHA
Between 1937 and 1950 this beautiful, peaceful fresh water lake was
used as a landing place for plane passengers destined for Nairobi!
The flying boat from London would land on the lake where the Lake
Naivasha Country Club now stands, and travellers would board a bus
for Nairobi. Today the lovely lake, with its cool climate, has
become a retreat for Nairobi residents and tourists looking for
peace. Because the lake is freshwater and the surrounding soil
fertile, this is a major production area for fruit and vegetables
and, more recently, vineyards.
Over 400 birds have been recorded on the lake and it supports a
large number of hippo. Despite conservation efforts however, the
ecological balance has been tipped by the introduction of sport
fish, including the Nile perch, the north American red swamp
crayfish and various aquatic plants. There are great day trips to do
from here, including visiting Elsamere, home of Joy Adamson, and
Hell's Gate National Park. Continuing on South Lake Road past
Elsamere, look out for the sign for the emerald Crater Lake. This is
one of the best places in the area to see black and white colobus
monkeys and there is also fantastic swimming.
Afternoon wind and storms can cause the Lake to become suddenly
rough and produce high waves. For this reason, the local Maasai
christened the lake Nai’posha meaning ''rough water'', which the
British later misspelt as Naivasha..
The lake and its surrounds are rich in natural bounty, and the
fertile soils and water supply have made this one of Kenya’s prime
agricultural regions.
Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of the yellow barked
Acacia Xanthophlea, known as the yellow fever tree. These forests
abound with bird life, and Naivasha is known as a world class
birding destination.
The waters of the lake draw a great range of game to these shores.
Giraffes wander among the acacia, Buffalo wallow in the swamps and
Colobus monkeys call from the treetops while the Lakes large hippo
population sleep the day out in the shallows.
The region surrounding the Lake is well worth exploring. There are
two more smaller lakes nearby, Oloidien, and Sonachi, a bright green
cater lake.
Hell’s Gate National Park lies beside the lake. This Park was named
for its pair of massive red tinged cliffs framing a geothermically
active interior of steam vents and bubbling springs. The park is
home to a profusion of plains game and birdlife. Walking is
permitted, making it ideal for hiking, biking, and rock climbing.
Boat trips on the lake are widely available, and is a great way to
spend an afternoon or morning.
Sunsets are always stunning, with the haunting call of a Fish Eagle
high over the Lake bringing the day to a perfect end....
Getting There
Main road access to Naivasha is directly from Nairobi by bus/Matatu
or private transport. The main highway continues from Naivasha to
Nakuru. Naivasha is just over an hour from Nairobi. There is an
airstrip in Naivasha, with charter flights available. Some lodges
and guesthouses here have private airstrips. Many hotels and lodges
here can organize transfers from Nairobi to Naivasha. See the
Accommodation section for details.
Getting Around
Most of the places in interest in Naivasha are around the Lakeshore,
out of town. There are taxis available in Naivasha town. A private
car is a good way to explore this region. Many hotels and Lodges
organize local excursions.
Accommodation
Loldia House, built in the Second World War, nestles under ancient
Acacia trees. Lush lawns run down to the shores of Lake Naivasha,
the Great Rift Valley’s highest and purest lake. Indigenous plants
and flowers fill the gardens.
In the main house there is a choice of four en suite double rooms,
with original furniture. And three more rooms in the specially-built
Loldia cottage which has it’s own sitting-room, fire and panoramic
lake-views.
There are beautiful views of the dormant volcano, Mount Longonot.
Wild animals roam free on the farm. Small antelope wander through
the gardens. In the evenings hippo munch quietly by the waterside.
Lake Naivasha Lodge - Lake
Naivasha Safari
Lake Naivasha, managed by the Friends of Lake Nakuru and Elementaita
Conservation Project, was formerly an English colonial farmhouse.
The now luxury accommodations receives the same exclusive services
as its sister lodges Lake Nakuru and Lake Elementaita Lodges.
Lake
Naivasha Simba Lodge
Located 90 minutes away from Nairobi by road, Naivasha has long been
the place for those seeking to get away from it all. Joy Adamson,
author of Born Free made the shores her home, so did Lord Errol and
a host of other well-known personalities. At 1880m above sea level,
the air is cool, crisp and reinvigorating.
The Naivasha Simba Lodge is situated on the banks of Lake Naivasha,
the cleanest lake in the Great Rift Valley. This fresh water lake
was once Nairobi’s main landing strip for the luxury Flying Boats
that came all the way from London. Travelers would then proceed to
Nairobi by bus. It has no known outlet, which is considered a
requisite for a fresh water lake!
You will feel your nerves quiet down as soon as you set your eyes on
the lodge’s rich, manicured grounds. From here, the Mt Longonot, an
extinct volcano, towers behind the lake imparting a soft, purple
tinge. These idyllic grounds upon which the Naivasha Simba is set,
together with its countryside look make it the perfect location for
conferences, wedding receptions, honeymoons and private retreats.
The world-class lodge has had the pleasure of hosting a number of
important international conferences, with the Sudanese Peace
Agreement that was attended by 15 heads of states and dignitaries
such as Tabo Mbeki, Kofi Annan, Collin Powell and US senators, among
them
Thank you
and enjoy!.
