Home to stunning natural beauty, an abundance of wildlife, and a laid-back pace of life, Lake Naivasha was among my favorite stops on my Kenya backpacking adventure. It is an essential stop on any Kenya travel itinerary, and thankfully, fairly easy to reach and figure things out as a solo traveler. Renting a bike and cycling around the lake was truly my “welcome to Africa” moment. Naivasha was my first stop after a few days of finding my footing in Nairobi. When I stumbled into my first giraffe casually blocking the road, that’s when I had my moment of realization that damn, I was really out here.

If you’re planning on visiting Kenya, Lake Naivasha is a premier destination to include on your to-do list. It is a gem of the Great Rift Valley and well worth the visit. Here’s all you need to know before visiting Naivasha.

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Table of Contents

• How To Get To Lake Naivasha
• Where To Stay in Lake Naivasha
• How To Get Around Lake Naivasha
• How Many Days to Spend in Lake Naivasha
• Best Time of Year To Visit Lake Naivasha
• The Best Things To Do in Lake Naivasha
• Buy Me A Beer!

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How To Get to Lake Naivasha

As a solo traveler without a car or the budget to constantly be going on guided tours, I was fairly limited in the destinations I was able to visit. Thankfully, Lake Naivasha was very accessible and easy to reach from Nairobi.

To get from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha, start by heading to the Accra Road matatu stage. The street is pure chaos, but keep your eyes peeled for one of the matatus (shared minibuses) that has “Naivasha” plastered on the window. Local hustlers will inevitably sense the clueless foreigner wandering around and try to forcefully get you to follow them. Ignore them and keep your eyes peeled for the Naivasha matatu. I made the mistake of following one of them and he threw me on the wrong bus. I ended up on the bus to Nakuru. It passes by Naivasha but stops at the highway instead of going into town. This route also works, but does require an extra motorcycle taxi to get to your destination. I was staying about 45 minutes away from Naivasha town, so I would have had to take the boda-boda anyway and it all worked out in the end.

The journey by matatu cost 600 Kenyan shillings, or about $5 USD. If you prefer, you can even book an Uber for about $40 USD, which is reasonable if you are splitting the cost with other travelers.

Lake Naivasha can also be visited on a guided day tour from Nairobi. Its short distance from Nairobi allows for adequate time to see Hell’s Gate National Park and go on a boat ride around Lake Naivasha. I’d recommend booking a guided tour to guarantee having transportation from place to place. Otherwise, you’re at the mercy of infrequent matatu schedules and the rare transportation options once you get further away from the main highway.

Where To Stay in Lake Naivasha

As a backpacker on a budget, there are two places I’d recommend staying in Lake Naivasha. They’re located right next to each other and sit on the shores of Lake Naivasha, allowing for a wilder experience than if you were to stay in the town of Naivasha itself.

Fisherman’s Camp

Fisherman’s Camp is located about 45 minutes outside of Naivasha town and is nestled right on the shores of Lake Naivasha. It’s a short drive from both Hell’s Gate National Park and Lake Oloiden, making it a great option for people looking for a more natural setting. Various types of monkeys often come hang out during the day, while the lake’s large family of hippos might come on shore to graze if you’re lucky.

This is where I stayed and absolutely loved it. I booked a tent for the first two nights before moving into a “banda” or a cabin for two more nights. Tents are available to rent and they’ll even set them up for you. Both were budget-friendly options, with the tent rental and camping spot costing around $11 and the cabin being about $14 per person.

Camp Carnelley’s

Camp Carnelley’s is a mainstay in Lake Naivasha, and a favorite among travelers. It’s fairly similar to Fisherman’s Camp in terms of accommodation options, but it is a bit fancier and offers a little more than Fisherman’s Camp, which is pretty basic. The prices reflect that uptick in quality, but overall, is still a budget-friendly option. It is literally right next door to Fisherman’s Camp, so it’s really up to your preference where you’d like to stay.

How To Get Around Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha’s top destinations are spread out so figuring out how to travel around is a must.

Renting a Car

Having your own car is by far the easiest way to get around Lake Naivasha. It allows you the freedom to get from place to place on your own time, and visit some spots that might otherwise be inaccessible by public transportation. Most campsites and lodges cater to car-campers and have plenty of parking space. You don’t need a 4×4 for the attractions near Lake Naivasha, although it might help with some of the dirt roads.

Renting a Bicycle

Renting a bicycle is a great way to see Lake Naivasha. Renting a bike costs about $7 a day depending on where you book. If you rent it for longer than a day, most places will offer a discount for each additional day. I’d recommend doing this if you’re staying at Fisherman’s Camp, Camp Carnelley’s, or one of the other lakeside lodges. If you’re in Naivasha town, you might be too far to reasonably cycle everywhere.

By Matatu (Shared Minibuses)

The shared minibus taxis do run around Lake Naivasha, although there is no set schedule or guarantee that there’ll be space. It’s a gamble, but it is doable to use only matatus to get around. Keep in mind they will stick entirely to the main highway around Lake Naivasha, so any detours like Hell’s Gate National Park will require an additional form of transport.

Boda-Boda (Motorcycle Taxis)

Luckily, there are plenty of motorcycle taxis, “boda-bodas”, cruising around looking for passengers. These are fairly affordable, and I paid about $7 for the nearly hour-long ride from the main highway to my accommodation at Fisherman’s Camp. It’s not hard to find a motorcycle taxi running along the main road. It’s a pretty informal process, and I don’t think most drivers are actually taxi drivers, but rather locals with motorcycles looking to make an extra buck going the same way they already are. Regardless, a ride is a ride. One of them even managed to strap my bike on the back of his motorcycle after I decided I was too lazy to cycle all the way back from Hell’s Gate.

Before setting off on an epic cycling safari, make sure you have a plan for staying connected. I use Saily eSIM to keep me online during my travels, ensuring that I have internet from the moment I land to the moment I leave. Navigating directions, coordinating travel plans with new hostel friends, booking a ride, and so on – having an eSIM makes life that much easier when you’re on the road. Data packages for Kenya start at just $7, and you can use my code “eli5” for an additional 5% off of your first Saily eSIM.

How Many Days To Spend in Lake Naivasha

There is a lot to do in the Lake Naivasha area, and anything from a day trip to a week-long getaway can make sense for a visit. I stayed for four days, and still had a few things that I felt like I missed out on. Staying at Fisherman’s Camp also provided a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of Nairobi, and I definitely can’t deny that I got sucked into its serene environment. I’d recommend booking about two nights to start, giving you time to visit Hell’s Gate National Park, cycle up to Lake Oloiden, and take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha and potentially visit Crescent Island. I’d add an extra day to hike Mount Longonot, and maybe take a day in between to rest as those adventures can be quite taxing.

Best Time Of Year To Visit Lake Naivasha

The high season for Lake Naivasha coincides with the high season for the rest of Kenya. The months of June to October are typically the best months to visit, due to the drier weather and warmer temperatures. However, it can depend on your interests, as the rainy season is actually preferable to those who want to see more birdlife. I visited during March and had a great experience, but perhaps I also got lucky with the weather.

The Best Things To Do in Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is home to some bucket list attractions catering to wildlife enthusiasts, hikers, and more. I enjoyed Lake Naivasha because it felt like each day was different. There was a good variety in activities which kept things exciting. Here are the best things to do on Lake Naivasha.

Hell’s Gate National Park

The most iconic destination to visit around Lake Naivasha is Hell’s Gate National Park. It’s famous for being one of the main inspirations for the landscapes and environments of The Lion King. The canyons, gorges, and endless plains make for an otherworldly setting, and the countless animals grazing in the tall grass make for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Hell’s Gate National Park is also great for wildlife viewing from a unique perspective. Unlike other national parks and wildlife reserves, there are no large predators like lions or leopards, so safari-goers can simply hop on a bicycle and cycle through the park, passing through its scenic landscapes and spotting giraffes, zebras, warthogs, and much more. The entrance fee is about $30 USD, with a small added fee for your bicycle.

If you plan on doing some hiking, you might need to hire a guide depending on the circuit you wish to do. There are three routes of varying length offered, and from what I saw, most people went with a guide. I only did the medium route because the longer route would have been too expensive, and I was already quite tired from cycling all the way from Fisherman’s Camp. The views are beautiful, but I wouldn’t call it an essential activity.

Lake Oloiden

Lake Oloiden is a smaller crater lake right next to Lake Naivasha that is often over-looked by travelers. I enjoyed it because there were some areas that could be called “beaches” if one was feeling generous. It was nice being able to stand right by the waters, even with the threat of the nearby hippos always looming. I cycled here from Fisherman’s Camp, which took close to two hours to cover the 10 kilometers one-way journey along the sloping hills. A boda-boda or matatu can also take you here for much less effort.

Crater Lake

There’s a smaller crater lake that one can hike to, although I didn’t have time to go. It’s further out than Lake Oloiden, and I believe it can only be reached by private transportation or by hiking. The Crater Lake Lodge is situated on the lake and invites both guests and day visitors to come hang out.

Boat Ride on Lake Naivasha

A popular way to experience Lake Naivasha is by hopping on a boat and cruising around the lake for a couple of hours. There’s a good chance that you’ll run into some of Lake Naivasha’s 1500 hippos along the way, which are definitely the star attraction. However, there are hundreds of different types of birds native to the area, and I’m no bird enthusiast, but my guide’s deep knowledge on the topic had me fascinated in them by the end. So much so that I downloaded one of those bird-spotting apps so I could start a checklist of all the birds I’ve seen so far.

It’s a great way to spend a few hours, costing about 3000 Kenyan shillings per hour for the entire boat. I’m not sure if there are larger boats, but the one I went on could fit seven people, so if you manage to find people to share the boat with, that 3000 Kenyan shilling price becomes a lot lower.

Crescent Island

As its name suggests, Crescent Island is a moon-shaped island located on Lake Naivasha and only accessible by boat. It costs $33 to enter the island and explore its game sanctuary that is perfect for wildlife and bird enthusiasts. Crescent Island is home to giraffes, hippos, hyenas, a variety of antelope, and countless birds. Along with Hell’s Gate National Park and Mount Longonot, Crescent Island offers the best wildlife-spotting in the Lake Naivasha area.

Hike Mount Longonot

Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano located close to Naivasha town. It is recommended to go with a guide and go on a guided hike, but it’s not too difficult to reach from Naivasha town. If you’re staying on the lake, you’ll have to head back to Naivasha town and catch a matatu from there to the town of Longonot. It is not mandatory to hire a guide and is fairly easy to figure out the trail on your own.

It’s one of the best things to do in Kenya, combining hiking through beautiful landscapes with an abundance of wildlife-spotting opportunities. Buffaloes, lions, elands, and the elusive leopard are all present in Mount Longonot. The entrance fee is about $30 and it takes close to a full day to hike to the highest point of Mount Longonot and around the crater’s rim, accounting for getting there and back.

Overall, Lake Naivasha is an excellent destination for an adventurous traveler, as well as being very backpacker-friendly. The journey to reach Lake Naivasha is not complicated at all, and the accommodation and activities in the area cater to a wide range of budgets. It was an excellent introduction to Kenya and East Africa, with an abundance of wildlife and captivating natural landscapes. Lake Naivasha is an excellent addition to any Kenyan or East African travel itinerary.

Buy Me A Beer!

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