Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha
4.5
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
421 reviews
Excellent
204
Very good
160
Average
43
Poor
10
Terrible
4
Rach
Cambridge, UK86 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
We stopped at Lake Naivasha for a boat ride which was included in our tour with Trailfinders and then we paid extra when we were there for a foot safari (do it!!!). The boat ride was nice and peaceful (apart from the fact you know there are hippos very close haha - part of the experience though!). We saw many birds and of course hippos (one did come very close to our boat on our way back and certainly made us jump). The foot safari was so good, we got really close to zebras, giraffes, gazelles, wildebeest and more! It was a nice little trip.
Written April 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abetu
Prague, Czech Republic31 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
We got there with our own car - paid a small entrance fee to get to the area, then got to the parking place, paid for a boat ride. The captain took us for a ride around the lake first and told us plenty of interesting facts about the animals. We saw many hippos, eagles, pelicans and others birds. We decided not to go to the Crescent island, because we didn’t have much time and the entrance fee his quite high. If we did, the boat would wait for us. But it would be hike at least for couple of hours. The boat ride great to get most of the visit in an hour or so.
Written March 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James c
Oklahoma City, OK146 contributions
Oct 2021 • Solo
I took this excursion on my way to Lake nakuru National Park and was hesitant to pay the $80 but am really glad I did. The scenery here is breathtaking from the moment you take off on a motorized boat with life jackets. The blue from the water and swampy area with dead acacia trees is serene. I saw all kinds of birds, pelicans, comorants, African geese, and eagles, close up. This lake is the place to see hippos, saw them poking up under dead tree branches and near swamps and out of the water in about an hr boat ride. I was here before masai mara so you will also see hippos there as well but this is totally different scenery compared to masai mara and nakuru. I would recommend this excursion if offered or you're in the area.
Written October 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Petitewave
Perth, Australia1,025 contributions
Dec 2019
We took a boating excursion on Lake Naivasha with an experienced guide. The weather was beautiful, the lake was very calm and serene. We were told there are more than 450 bird species being recorded here. We spotted numerous pelicans, yellow-billed and marabou storks, herons, cormorants, ibises, Egyptian geese, fish eagles, and many other birds we couldn’t even name. We also have the pleasure of watching a Giant King fisher catching his fish! Just wonderful.
Lake Naivasha is also one of the primary drinking holes for many animals. We were very pleased to see several large groups of hippos enjoying themselves in the water.
But the most interesting scene to us was watching the local fishmen sitting on some tree stumps & branches in the middle of the lake doing their fishing.
It’s definitely worth a visit. Strongly recommend it.
Lake Naivasha is also one of the primary drinking holes for many animals. We were very pleased to see several large groups of hippos enjoying themselves in the water.
But the most interesting scene to us was watching the local fishmen sitting on some tree stumps & branches in the middle of the lake doing their fishing.
It’s definitely worth a visit. Strongly recommend it.
Written November 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aleekwa
Asia84 contributions
Jul 2022
variety of animals are less than other national parks. but if you are travelling with young kids and do not want to spend hours on the bumpy roads, this may be the option for you. Great camping sites and luxurious hotels nearby. Relaxing <1hr boat tour at ~$35 pp, a bit overpriced, but can get close to animals, such as hippos, if you are lucky
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CTingle
Dubai, United Arab Emirates25 contributions
Aug 2022
We briefly visited Lake Navaisha for a boat safari on our way to the Masai Mara. What an eye opener - trully atmospheric. Highly recommend and make sure to include a trip to Crescent Island.
Written October 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara C
Portugal107 contributions
Dec 2022
Terrible docks to board on the uncomfortable boats.
The boat takes you to see Hipos and some birds and then takes you to Crescent Island. They say you can do a walking safari there to see Zebras and other animals. We went and let me tell you how disappointed we were.
We were traveling as family ( me and my parents, together with my 12 years old son).
The island is full of debries from constructions that were there before. The water level has rise in the last years and people needed to leave their houses and so all the abandoned structures are there. They didn't clean anything after this, so the animals are amongst the debries and it's just tragic to watch!!
The supposed guide that went with us almost didn't explain anything and when I made questions he told me things that I realised after that were lies.
It was a waste of money and time to go to Lake Naivasha.
They need to clean the surroundings and prepare a boating dock with minimum conditions for boarding and onboarding the boats!
I only took 2 pictures here... a giraffe with her baby and Hipos sleeping and I had to try and reframe so debries were not visible.
The boat takes you to see Hipos and some birds and then takes you to Crescent Island. They say you can do a walking safari there to see Zebras and other animals. We went and let me tell you how disappointed we were.
We were traveling as family ( me and my parents, together with my 12 years old son).
The island is full of debries from constructions that were there before. The water level has rise in the last years and people needed to leave their houses and so all the abandoned structures are there. They didn't clean anything after this, so the animals are amongst the debries and it's just tragic to watch!!
The supposed guide that went with us almost didn't explain anything and when I made questions he told me things that I realised after that were lies.
It was a waste of money and time to go to Lake Naivasha.
They need to clean the surroundings and prepare a boating dock with minimum conditions for boarding and onboarding the boats!
I only took 2 pictures here... a giraffe with her baby and Hipos sleeping and I had to try and reframe so debries were not visible.
Written January 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maryam R
Dubai, United Arab Emirates80 contributions
Mar 2021
Our first stop in Kenya was Lake Naivasha. We took a boat ride to another park through the lake that was filled with astonishing Hippopotamus’. The hippos will do no harm as long as you do not get close to them. We stopped at a park in Lake Naivasha and had a walk there, we got up close with most of the wild animals there such as Impalas, Zebras, Horses, Giraffes, and Wild Beasts. Most of the animals listed are cowards and will do no harm as long as you do not threaten them. The visit is highly recommended and is one of a lifetime experience. Staff who provided the tour were extremely friendly and welcoming. All Native Kenyans are English speakers. The weather was lovely.
Written April 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter B
60 contributions
Feb 2020
After a long drive, we stopped off in a lakeside hotel and were efficiently kitted out for a trip on the water. The trip was a bit of an anti-climax in some ways. The object was to see hippos but the hotel's policy of cutting the grass and dumping it on the waterside meant that the hippos were all there just the other side of an electric fence - a bit like a zoo.
That said, the trip on the lake was very nice, we saw lots of birds and it was a cool break. As an optional extra, the boat took us to the tiny Crescent Island Reserve and this ended up becoming a highlight of the trip.
I would probably do the trip again - just don't get too excited.
That said, the trip on the lake was very nice, we saw lots of birds and it was a cool break. As an optional extra, the boat took us to the tiny Crescent Island Reserve and this ended up becoming a highlight of the trip.
I would probably do the trip again - just don't get too excited.
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChristinaSLacey
Nairobi, Kenya27 contributions
Feb 2020
I'm sitting on the veranda of Ajabu House, Lake Naivasha, relaxing in the most beautiful and peaceful location. The lake, on a few metres from me, is calm, with the occasional fisherman paddling past. The fish eagles screech every now and then and the green pigeons are cooing gently. Going for an early walk was very worthwhile, we saw impala leap out of the trees and away towards the huge fig trees. It is so lovely getting away from Nairobi and Ajabu House, which is actually the main house, plus two little guest cottages, is a perfect setting. It takes a little longer to get here, as it is on the North side of the lake, but now it will be difficult to leave. Nora and her team are extremely hospitable and professional. Will be sure to come back soon.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joseph m
Arusha3 contributions
Hi, How much is a boat ride at Lake Naivasha.
1vinodsharma1
Mumbai, India422 contributions
I think we had paid USD 25 per person.
itspriyanka
Hyderabad, India608 contributions
Is the boat ride to go to Crescent Island Game Park or just around the lake itself? Is there any entrance fee for the Crescent Island? I see that the island is accessible by van also. Is the boat ride worth it or we can see the same thing by van too?
Looking forward to responses.
Thanks in advance :)
Priyanka
Zyxwvu
Surrey,England217 contributions
Hi,
I would be interested to know how much the one hour long boat ride cost.
(There will be 7 of us).
Thank you
lclark2017
Perth, Australia236 contributions
It was about $20-$25 per person if I remember correctly. There may be a discount in groups - do ask them at the ticket office
samkimonye
Ruiru, Kenya
How much do you charge for boat riding
Marco H
Alkmaar, The Netherlands20 contributions
We had to pay 5000 shilling for the two of us. Its the price for the boat. Its for one hour
One day to Lake Naivasha...As in the information, leaving Nairobi at 8 am ,right ? and what time will be back at Nairobi?
Amaka E
Abuja, Nigeria25 contributions
Distance from nairobi to naivasha is roughly 73-80kms. Driving will take about 70-90mins depending on how far into naivasha / nairobi you are going
How much will it cost to bring college students over for a day tour this month?
prateek d
Indore, India122 contributions
Don't really know, but it totally depends on the no. Of people visiting.. you can take help of the office people at lake
Life traveller
North East England, UK3,798 contributions
This review of Lake Naivasha does not appear in a tile under My Contributions.
Could this be rectified, please?
Many thanks
Robin
SimonF1950
Nairobi, Kenya45 contributions
Where did you go to find a boat hire place on the shores of Lake Naivasha?
nashnashChelmsford
chelmsford150 contributions
HI hope you don't mind me contacting you we are going in November this year & our time will be limited.
can you tell me how long approx. the boat ride took & did you have to book in advance. also the charge for the boat ride
kind regards Michael
Lake Naivasha (Rift Valley Province) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Naivasha
- Lake Naivasha is open:
- Sun - Sat 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- We recommend booking Lake Naivasha tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 265 Lake Naivasha tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Lake Naivasha:
- Hell's Gate Guided Tour with Option Boat Ride at Lake Naivasha (From $155.00)
- Lake Naivasha day tour including the crescent island (From $102.57)
- 1 Day Tour Lake Naivasha And Hell's Gate From Nairobi (From $120.00)
- Day Tour To Lake Nakuru Park With Optional Boat Ride on Lake Naivasha (From $156.91)
- Private Hiking Day Trip to Mt. Longonot from Nairobi (From $130.00)
- Hotels near Lake Naivasha:
- (0.79 mi) Sarova Woodlands
- (0.43 mi) Leafy Park Villa
- (0.49 mi) Eastmark Hotel
- (0.49 mi) Nuru Palace Hotel
- (0.47 mi) Hotel Kunste
- Restaurants near Lake Naivasha:
- (0.49 mi) Jamia Food Mart
- (0.87 mi) Magic Hour Bar & Restaurant
- (0.86 mi) Jikoni's Nakuru
- (1.86 mi) Gilani's
- (1.30 mi) Fika And Feast
Lake Naivasha Information
Excellent Reviews | 203 |
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Very Good Reviews | 160 |
Lake Naivasha Photos | 1,024 |