The Best Time To Visit Lake Naivasha, Kenya : The best time to visit Lake Naivasha: The optimum time to visit Lake Naivasha National Park and what to expect throughout the dry and wet seasons are determined in depth in this blog.
Lake Naivasha’s Maasai name, which means “rough water” in English, derives from the region’s propensity for sudden storms. The lake, which is easily accessible from Nairobi, is a restorative day trip or weekend break from Kenya’s hectic capital city. Located in Nakuru County, Lake Naivasha is a big freshwater lake that is located outside of Naivasha. Lake Naivasha, which is situated at an elevation of 1,884 meters, is the biggest lake in the Great Rift Valley.
A 64 km2 swamp surrounds the 139 km2 Lake Naivasha, which dominates the surrounding natural landscape. Beyond the swampland, forests of fever trees surround the lake. In equatorial Kenya, how the seasons change depends on whether it rains or not. The question of when is the best time to visit Lake Naivasha arises since there are two dry seasons and two wet seasons there each year.
A long, chilly dry season lasts from July through October and is followed by a short wet season in November and December. The entrance and departure of the rains start at the end of March and the beginning of July, respectively, despite the long rainy season lasting from April through June and the brief hot and dry season lasting from January through February. The best time to visit Lake Naivasha may be this time.
Understanding these seasons will help you plan the perfect Kenyan safari, since rain or shine affects wildlife behavior, grazing availability, water levels, and foliage growth for visibility. The best seasons to visit Lake Naivasha National Park includes:
The Best Time To Visit Lake Naivasha : Dry season in Lake Naivasha National Park
The best time to visit Lake Naivasha National Park is during the dry season. The animals congregate around the few remaining waterholes during the dry season since there is a dearth of both grass and water. This behavior affects your trip with Focus East Africa Tours to Lake Naivasha in search of wildlife since fauna is either more difficult to find or more accessible, and you will either observe animals distributed across a larger range or a diversity of species concentrated in one place.
However, during the dry season, when there is a dearth of both vegetation and water, the animals congregate around the few remaining waterholes. This behavior affects your wildlife-seeking trip to Lake Naivasha with Focus East Africa Tours since the fauna is either harder to observe or easier to access, and you will either see animals scattered over a wider range or a diversity of species concentrated in one place.
Both the extended dry season and the extended wet season have advantages and disadvantages, though. Since there hasn’t been much rain, the roads and trails are in excellent condition for your Lake Naivasha exploration trip activities. The long, cool-dry season is the best time to watch wildlife. However, unlike when it rains, the greenery might not be as vibrant and lush. Therefore, the dry season, when fewer problems can occur than during the wet season, is the best time to visit Lake Naivasha.
The Best Time To Visit Lake Naivasha : Wet Season in Lake Naivasha National Park
The low or green season can last as long as much of June. It normally lasts from April to May. If you desire a peaceful vacation in Lake Naivasha in East Africa with the freshness of nature at its best, these may be the best months to plan your trip. The best time to visit Lake Naivasha National Park is during the wet season for travelers on a budget and birdwatchers.
However, this season presents a number of difficulties that you can encounter on your vacation, including muddy roads, particularly those in parks, which can turn slippery and cause delays to your travel plans. Accidents on your trip may be brought on by rain, particularly if you encounter Kenya’s mountainous and muddy roads, or by the dispersal of wild animals.
This is because most of the area’s pastures are established and open, allowing the animals to access water and pasture whenever they please, disrupting activities like game drives and lake flooding, which is caused by rains that raise the lake’s water level and rivers that discharge water into Lake Naivasha. The cost of lodging is also reduced, but all other costs—such as those for logistics, activities, guides, and conservation—remain constant throughout the year.
Both the extended dry season and the extended wet season have advantages and disadvantages, though. Since there hasn’t been much rain, the roads and trails are in excellent condition for your Lake Naivasha exploration trip activities. The long, cool-dry season is the best time to watch wildlife. However, unlike when it rains, the greenery might not be as vibrant and lush.
MAJOR ANIMALS FOUND IN LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK
The dry season is the ideal time to go on a game drive around Lake Naivasha National Park because most animals congregate near water sources in search of food and water. Several creatures can be found in Lake Naivasha National Park, including:
Hippos: After elephants, hippos are the largest terrestrial mammals. Hippos are unpredictable, aggressive animals who live the majority of their lives in the water. Over 400 hippos have been spotted at Lake Naivasha, making them the most prevalent mammals in the park. These can be seen while on the boat.
Buffaloes: These are one of the “big five” mammals, enormous herbivorous beasts that resemble cows. Buffaloes frequently have mud covering their entire bodies to get rid of ticks. These can be found throughout the park and on the game drive.
Giraffes: The largest ruminants on the planet, giraffes are distinguished by their extraordinarily long necks and legs. When you visit Lake Naivasha National Park, you will witness a variety of creatures, including giraffes.
Zebras: These predators can be identified by their black-and-white striped fur. When visiting Lake Naivasha National Park, seeing zebras is a must.
FLAMINGOS IN LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK
In Lake Naivasha National Park, birding is one of the things to do, and flamingos are a must-see. In Lake Naivasha National Park, these are the most prevalent birds. These can be found on lakeshores, and the wet season is the best time to see them. Among the various birds that live in Lake Naivasha are kingfishers, African jacanas, ducks, and mourning collared doves.
ACTIVITIES TO DO IN LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK
Boat Cruise: Boat safaris are one of the most popular activities at Lake Naivasha. To jet out into the lake and approach the hippos and flamingos, there is the simplest method. If you turn your gaze toward the beach, you might see giraffes, wildebeests, and zebras. Because of Lake Naivasha’s vast size, you won’t be bothered by the rumble of other boats during the typical boat safari, which lasts around an hour.
Bird watching: One of the things you must do while visiting Lake Naivasha National Park is this. With more than 400 species, Lake Naivasha is one of Kenya’s top birding locations. The best time to go birding in Lake Naivasha is during the rainy season, while it is possible to go birding during the entire year. The park is home to a variety of bird species, including flamingos, African jacanas, and kingfishers. During the winter, it also receives invitations to migrate from Europe.
Admire the amazing Crater Lake Game Sanctuary: On the other side of the lake sits the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. Giraffes, zebras, and more than 150 different species of birds reside in this tiny sanctuary, which is a great area to go hiking. The crater’s rim is followed by walking pathways inside the reserve, which offer breath-taking views. Aardvarks, caracals, leopards, and other elusive species are easy to miss, but night game drives at Crater Lake are a great way to see them.
Climbing Longonot National Park: Longonot National Park is roughly 20 kilometers from Lake Naivasha, and it takes around 45 minutes to get there by car. The park gets its name from the 2,776-meter-tall stratovolcano Mount Longonot, which dominates the area. The summit of the dormant volcano is reachable in 4-5 hours, and it provides amazing views. Despite its duration, the walk is not extremely physically demanding. If you complete the hike in the morning, you can spend the afternoon on a relaxing boat ride or game drive.
Visiting Crescent Island: Crescent Island, so named because of its crescent-shaped shape, is located on the east side of the lake, close to the town of Naivasha. The majority of the lake’s hotel options are in this area. On Crescent Island, there is a refuge for wildlife. Getting up close to the giraffes and zebras that reside there is one of the highlights of the 1.5–3 hour tours. The principal shooting location for the 1985 romantic drama “Out of Africa” was Crescent Island, one of the most popular tourist sites in the Lake Naivasha area.
HOW TO ACCESS LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK
The distance from Nairobi’s north side to Lake Naivasha National Park is 60 kilometers. Depending on your mode of transportation, you can choose a different path.
By car: Take the old Naivasha route, which will take you there in two hours and twenty minutes.
By air: It will take you about 15 minutes to travel from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Naivasha by plane. Every afternoon, the aircraft consistently takes off.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FACILITIES IN LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK
Lake Naivasha boasts some of the best lodging options, including affordable (budget), mid-range (deluxe), and upscale (premier) lodging that will give you a peek at a magnificent stay in opulent quarters.
Considering the quality of the lodging, the etiquette of the staff, the food, the accessibility of ground and air transportation, and the vicinity to the best natural, cultural, and historical sites in Lake Naivasha, I advise choosing one of the three types of lodging for your trip through the jungle to Lake Naivasha, depending on your budget. If you’re on a tight budget, the wet season is the best time to visit Lake Naivasha because it’s a low season and accommodation rates are lower.
Loldia House and Chui Lodge provide our guests with the most opulent amenities and unique services. Loldia Lodge, which is situated on the shores of Lake Naivasha, is encircled by 6500 acres of breathtaking countryside. The main house’s nine en-suite rooms maintain the original settlers’ architectural design. Guest cottages are also available for honeymooners, couples, and families who prefer more privacy and extras like fireplaces, additional bedrooms, and breathtaking views of the lake and Mount Longonot.
A 18,000-acre nature conservancy surrounds Chui Lodge, which is adjacent to Lake Naivasha. Eight distinctively designed cottages offer views of the sanctuary and the Great Rift Valley and immerse you in a peaceful setting decorated with items developed in the area. Hippo Point & Dodo’s Tower offers a distinct Tier 1 substitute that has the cozy atmosphere of an Elizabethan country house.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the best activity to do at Lake Naivasha?
Depending on the visitor’s preferences, there are a variety of enjoyable things to do at Lake Naivasha, including boat tours , cycling at Hell’s Gate National Park, and nature walks with zebras, warthogs, and antelopes, among other things.
How much is the entry fee to Lake Naivasha?
There are no entrance fees to enter Lake Naivasha. It is possible to access Lake Naivasha every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The A104 and Old Naivasha Road take around two hours and twenty minutes to travel to Lake Naivasha, which is located 60 miles north of Nairobi.
CONCLUSION
One great national park that is accessible year-round worldwide is Lake Naivasha. One can visit it whenever they like because it experiences two seasons—the wet season and the dry season—and receives double the amount of rainfall on average. For the finest activities, like game drives, I would suggest going during the dry season.
