Best things to do in Naivasha

Admire spectacular limestone ravines cut by a river at Hell's Gate National Park, a small wildlife conservation area featuring two extinct volcanoes. The park features intense geothermal activity and offers an array of options for visitors, including rock climbing, mountain biking, and a natural spa. Spanning 68 sq km (26 sq mi), the park features African buffalos, zebras, elands, gnus, gazelles, and baboons, as well as a wide range of birds, such as vultures, eagles, and buzzards. Visit the onsite cultural center to learn about the Maasai tribe.

Enjoy the cool air and vast expanse of water at Lake Naivasha, a large freshwater lake surrounded by greenery and trickling out of the Njorowa Gorge. At 1,890 m (6,200 ft) above sea level, the lake stands at the highest point of the Kenyan Rift. A combination of volcanic rock and later sedimentary deposits, it supports a variety of wildlife, including a large presence of hippos and bearded vultures. Long-tailed and great cormorants, kingfishers, and pelicans gather to feed on carp, black bass, crayfish, and a variety of other fish species.

Walk with the animals at Crescent Island Game Park, a private reserve on Lake Naivasha peninsula in the Great Rift Valley. Created in 1988 when an island became a peninsula, the park is patrolled by armed guides for anyone wishing to take a guided tour. Accessible by boat or by road, the park hosts giraffes, buffalo, elands, waterbucks, gnus, hartebeests, zebras, pythons, and impalas, while the lake supports a large population of hippos. Fish-eagles, ospreys, pelicans, and cormorants are among the more than 200 bird species observable here. A private boating club on the peninsula offers sailing activities.

Come closer to the pinkish white lesser flamingos that feed in the shallows of Lake Oloidien. Board a boat for a cruise down the lake, where you can spot birds and animals of different species. The trip will give you lots of chances to capture photos and observe nature, including the thousands of flamingoes. You can also discover the landscape on foot by walking the trails around the lake.

Centered on a dormant volcano, Mount Longonot protects the peak's unique ecosystem. A marked trail leads visitors through the wilderness area, with many spots providing scenic views across the mountainous landscape. A tour with a professional ranger can enhance your experience, as a guide can take you to sites ideal for spotting buffalos, zebras, elephants, and giraffes.

Run by the same family for five generations, Kiambethu Farm boasts a tranquil setting just a short drive from the heart of Nairobi. A visit here allows you to learn about the country's tea plantations--an added bonus is a chance to tour the colonial-era farmhouse and nearby forest. Make your reservations in advance through any of Nairobi's official tour operators.

Relax in the pristine nature at Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, a private reserve surrounding a scenic jade-green caldera lake. A great getaway from Nairobi, the area attracts tourists as well as large numbers of pink flamingos. Hike along a trail, circle the lake's rim, and venture on a jeep safari to see zebras, buffalo, giraffes, and wildebeests. Fringed with acacias, the lake is believed to help ailing cattle. See if you can identify some of the 150 bird species in the forests surrounding the serene waters. Leopards, servals, and caracals have also been spotted on guided tours.