When travellers think of Kenya safaris, places like the Masai Mara, Amboseli, or Lake Nakuru often come to mind first. But just a few hours from Nairobi lies Lake Naivasha: a serene wildlife hotspot that perfectly complements the drama of Kenya’s great savannahs.

It’s a destination where you can slow the pace, swap 4×4 game drives for peaceful boat safaris, and experience Kenya from an entirely new perspective. There’s more to Kenya than the big five – and Lake Naivasha is the perfect place to add depth and tranquility to your safari adventure. 

Here’s why Lake Naivasha deserves a place on your safari itinerary.

1. An intimate wildlife experience

While most Kenyan parks are about tracking big game across wide open plains, Lake Naivasha offers a more intimate, tranquil encounter with nature. The lake’s glassy waters are alive with hippos, fish eagles, pelicans, and kingfishers. It’s actually best explored on a guided boat safari, where you can silently drift close to wildlife without disturbing them.

Nearby Crescent Island and Crater Lake Sanctuary add a rare twist. Here, you can safely and freely walk among giraffes, zebras, and antelope, with no predators in sight. It’s an intimate, up-close experience that few safari destinations can match.

2. Balance adventure & relaxation

After days of dusty game drives in places like the Masai Mara or Samburu, Lake Naivasha is a calm contrast. Here, you can unwind at a lakeside lodge, enjoy sundowners as hippos surface at dusk, or take gentle cycling and hiking safaris in Hell’s Gate National Park, which is most famous for its geothermal vents – and scenery that inspired Disney’s The Lion King!

This diversity makes Naivasha an ideal mid-safari stopover. It’s a great place to rest, recharge, and reconnect with Kenya’s landscapes in a slower, more personal way before continuing to Nakuru or the Mara.

3. Discover unique wildlife & scenery

Lake Naivasha sits within the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by volcanic hills and acacia forests that create a striking contrast to Kenya’s open grasslands. It’s also a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 350 recorded species, from colourful bee-eaters to the majestic African fish eagle.

Each season brings a new spectacle: migratory flocks in the wet months, sun-drenched skies perfect for photography, and misty mornings when the lake seems to float between water and cloud. For travellers seeking variety, it’s an unforgettable stop that shows another side of Kenya’s wild beauty.

Why Lake Naivasha Complements the Classic Kenyan Safari

Lake Naivasha deserves a visit in any well-rounded Kenya safari. Where the Masai Mara offers dramatic predator action, and Amboseli showcases elephants beneath Kilimanjaro, Naivasha delivers serenity, scenery, and activities that deepen the safari experience. It’s the breathing space between the headline parks. It’s a time to catch your breath, restore your soul, and reflect on the wonder of your safari so far. 

Whether you’re designing a Kenya circuit safari or seeking a peaceful end to your adventure, Lake Naivasha offers a rare blend of wildlife, water, and tranquillity. It’s one of the country’s most rewarding and underrated destinations, with fewer crowds and interference.

Lake Naivasha Safari Packages

At Africa Venture Safaris, we craft tailor-made itineraries that include Lake Naivasha alongside Kenya’s iconic reserves. From boat safaris to lakeside lodges and Rift Valley excursions, our team ensures every detail flows seamlessly – so you can experience Kenya’s diversity at its best.

7 DAYS MAASAI MARA / LAKE NAKURU / LAKE NAIVASHA AND AMBOSELI

This 7-day safari takes you from Nairobi into the iconic Maasai Mara National Reserve for game drives, then on to Lake Nakuru National Park and Lake Naivasha for birdlife, hippos and relaxed lakeside time, before finishing in Amboseli National Park with views of Mount Kilimanjaro and its elephants. It includes all transport, guides, game drives and accommodation across each destination.

5 DAYS MAASAI MARA, LAKE NAIVASHA AND LAKE BOGORIA

Over five days you discover the Big Five in the Maasai Mara, drift across Lake Naivasha on a boat to spot birds and hippos, and then explore the hot springs and flamingos of Lake Bogoria. It’s a compact yet varied safari that blends classic savannah game drives with lakeside calm and geothermal scenery.

9 DAYS MAASAI MARA / LAKE NAKURU / LAKE NAIVASHA / AMBOSELI / TSAVO EAST AND TSAVO WEST

This comprehensive nine-day circuit spans Kenya’s top safari regions: start at Maasai Mara, then move through Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha for diverse landscapes and birdlife, onto Amboseli for elephants and Kilimanjaro views, and conclude in the vast wilds of Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park. Designed for those wanting depth and variety, it covers multiple ecosystems, wildlife-rich parks and scenic drives with full logistics included.

5 DAYS MAASAI MARA / LAKE NAKURU AND LAKE NAIVASHA

In five days you head straight into Maasai Mara for intensive game drives, then move to Lake Nakuru for rhinos and flamingos, and finish with Lake Naivasha for relaxed boat-rides and optional walking safaris in Hell’s Gate. A fast-paced yet rewarding itinerary that mixes two major safari parks with a water-based nature experience.

2 DAYS KENYA SAFARI

Ideal for a short trip, this two-day safari takes you from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru for a full game drive and then onwards to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride and a walking safari on Crescent Island, before returning to the city. It’s a crisp, high-impact nature escape for those with limited time but still wanting memorable wildlife and lake scenery.