Lake Naivasha & Lake Nakuru

Kenya's Rift Valley lake region: cycle through a gorge at Hell's Gate, take a boat trip to see hippos on Lake Naivasha, and spot rhinos and flamingos at Lake Nakuru.

Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru lie on the floor of the Great Rift Valley in central Kenya, about 90–160 km from Nairobi, among a chain of rift lakes and volcanoes that includes Naivasha, Elmenteita and Nakuru. Lake Nakuru and Lake Elmenteita are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley." The valley floor sits at about 1,800–1,900 m, with a mild climate. The dry seasons, June–October and January–February, concentrate the wildlife and leave the roads in good condition; during the long rains (March–May) and short rains (November–December), some dirt roads turn muddy. In recent years lake levels have risen and flamingo numbers at Lake Nakuru have dropped markedly, while smaller lakes such as Elmenteita and Oloiden now see them more often. There are two main areas to explore. In the south, around Naivasha: take a boat trip to see hippos and fish eagles, walk on Crescent Island for a walking safari, cycle through the gorge in Hell's Gate National Park, soak in the Olkaria geothermal spa, and hike the rim of Mount Longonot crater; on the southwest shore are Elsamere (the former home of Joy Adamson) and a crater lake. In the north, around Nakuru: see black and white rhinos and tree-climbing lions in Lake Nakuru National Park, enjoy the panorama from Baboon Cliff, and visit Menengai Crater, the Hyrax Hill prehistoric site and Lord Egerton Castle on the edge of town. Between the two are Lake Elmenteita and the Kariandusi archaeological site. Getting there: from Nairobi, take the A104 highway for about 2 hours to Naivasha, passing the Rift Valley viewpoint on the way; Naivasha to Nakuru takes about 1.5 hours. Most visitors join a tour or hire a car and driver from Nairobi. We suggest 2–3 days; the area is often combined with a Maasai Mara safari as a stop before or after. Note: national park entry fees can only be paid electronically; hippos come ashore at night to graze, so do not walk along the lakeshore after dark.

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