LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK
Area: 170 km2.
Location: 89km north-west of Nairobi, approx. 2 hrs.
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater Rift Valley lake - the level of which fluctuates periodically - that supports resident hippos and at times the largest waterfowl population in Kenya. Vervet monkeys and olive baboons live in woodland adjoining the south-western shore; and game corridors buffaloes, kongonis (Coke's hartebeests), antelopes and Masai giraffes access to browse and grazing areas. Fish attract good numbers of fish eagles, cormorants, pelicans and herons - birdwatching is a highlight although populations of both predators and prey fluctuate. Mats of waterlilies and Nile cabbage on the southern shore attract jacanas and long-toed plovers, and weavers and warblers breed in papyrus reed beds.
Crater Lake, an extinct volcanic crater at Naivasha's western end is thickly wooded with yellow fever trees on which troops of black-and-white colobus, vervet monkeys and olive baboons drape themselves. A total of 38 mammal species has been recorded here; buffaloes, warthogs, defassa waterbucks, bush-bucks, Thomson's gazelles and impalas can be seen by walking around the crater.
Wildlife rhythms: Northern migrants - waterfowl and waders - swell bird numbers October to March.
Wildlife highlights: Hippos in the lake; and black-and-white colobus, olive baboons and vervet monkeys are resident on the wooded southern shore, also frequented by buffaloes, Masai giraffes and antelopes such as kongonis, impalas and gazelles from nearby reserves. Waterbirds a highlight, and include African fish eagles, pied kingfishers, yellow-billed storks, flamingos and waterfowl.
What to do: Boats for hire and bird walks. Visit to Crescent Island.
Watching tips: Black-and-white colobus visit the lawns of the lodges during afternoons. Hippos and good bird watching can be enjoyed from the docks of any lodge adjacent to the lake.
Alternative interests: Golf at the Rift Valley Golf and Country Club.
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