Lake Naivasha

Recognised for its abundance of birdlife and beautiful scenery, and with the nearby attractions of Elsamere and Hell’s Gate National Park, Lake Naivasha is a popular destination and something of a Mecca for bird fanatics. The lake is a shimmering waterscape of floating hyacinth surrounded by mountains, and the skies above are pierced by the distinctive cries of the fish eagle. Brightly coloured kingfishers dart into the waters from their papyrus perches and ugly Marabou storks strut along the shoreline like cantankerous sergeant majors. The trees are home to Colobus monkeys and at night the earth shudders with the movement of grazing hippos.

The fertile soils and fresh water supply have made this one of the major agricultural regions in Kenya and farmlands surround the lake giving way to forests of acacia on the mountain slopes. The southern shore of the lake is lined with hotels, campsites and guesthouses, prettily situated either on the shore or higher up on the slopes of the mountain with fantastic views over the lake. Boat trips are a popular way to explore the lake and also the private Crescent Island Game Sanctuary.