Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate

A beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by thick strips of papyrus. The lake is nearly 13 km across, but the water is shallow with an average depth of five meters.

The size of the lake varies greatly due to rainfall, with an average size between 114 and 991 km ². At the beginning of the 20th century, Naivasha completely dried up and disappeared. The resulting open land was cultivated until a few years later heavy rains filled the lake again and swallowed up the newly established farms.
Afternoon winds and storms can suddenly cause rough seas and high waves in the lake. Therefore the local Masai baptized the lake Nai'posha, meaning "rough water" and later the British called it Naivasha.

Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of Acacia Xanthophlea (yellow strain), better known as the yellow fever tree. These forests are full of birds and therefore Naivasha is known as a world class bird destination.

The water of the lake attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Giraffes wander among the acacia, buffalos wallow in the swamps and colobus monkeys yell from the treetops while the largest hippo population of Lake spends days sleeping in the shallow water. Boat trips on the lake are widely offered and are a wonderful way to spend the morning or afternoon.
Sunsets are always fantastic, with the cry of the osprey high above the lake which announces the end of a perfect day...

Hell's Gate National Park

Hell's Gate National Park lies beside the lake. This park is named after a number of massive red tinged cliffs that surround an area of water springs and steam vents. The park is home to an abundance of flatland animals and birds. Walking is permitted, making it an ideal area for walking safaris, mountain biking and rock climbing.