Location and Description of Lake Naivasha
Naivasha is a market town in Rift Valley Province, Kenya, lying north west of Nairobi. It is located on the shore of Lake Naivasha and along the Nairobi - Nakuru highway. Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake, fringed by thick papyrus. The lake is almost 13kms across, but its waters are shallow with an average depth of five metres.
Afternoon wind and storms can cause the Lake to become suddenly rough and produce high waves. For this reason, the local Masai christened the lake Nai’posha meaning ''rough water'', which the British later misspelt as Naivasha.
Lake Naivasha as a Safari Destination
Lake Naivasha is a popular tourist destination with Hell's Gate National Park, Longonot National Park and Mount Longonot are nearby attractions. Tours also have included Lake Naivasha, to observe birdlife and hippopotamus behavior, as well as other wild animals.
Wildlife and Game viewing while on Safari to Lake Naivasha
The waters Lake Naivasha draw a great range of game to it's shores. Giraffes wander among the acacia, Buffalo wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from the treetops while the Lakes large hippo population sleep the day out in the shallows.
There are two smaller lakes in the vicinity of Lake Naivasaha Lake Oloiden and Lake Sonachi (a green crater lake). The Crater Lake Game Sanctuary lies nearby, while the lake shore is known for its population of European immigrants and settlers.
