Lake Naivasha

Freshwater

The Lake Naivasha ( Lake Naivasha ) is the highest lake in the eastern arm of the East African Rift, as well as the Baringo and a freshwater lake, while all the other lakes in the eastern arm of the trench are strongly alkaline.

Geography

The lake is in the eastern part of the East African grave breach ( Great Rift Valley). The lake basin is in the north of the volcano Mt Eburru, the volcano Mt Longonot, bounded on the south by the Olkaria volcanic complex and to the west by the grave edge of the Mau Escarpment and on the east by Kinangop Plateau and the Aberdare volcanic complex ( Aberdare Range). The 3200 km ² large catchment area of the lake drained mainly large parts of the rainy Aberdare Range in the east, which is the main reason for the freshwater character of the lake, while the adjacent Elmenteitasee and Nakuru have an extremely negative hydrological budget and an alkaline character. The main tributaries of Lake Naivasha are the Malewafluss and Gilgilfluss. The Lake Naivasha is no supernatural runoff, but it is assumed a significant flow of groundwater in the deeper basin to the north and south. Groundwater flow in the basin are demonstrated by the grave borders in the West and East.

The lake lies entirely in the State of Kenya in Nakuru district in the Rift Valley province, about 70 km north- west of the capital Nairobi.

Flora and Fauna

The lake is home to a remarkable variety of birds. Here some 300 bird species have been recorded, for example, ibis, fish eagle, goliath heron, marabou storks, pelicans and cormorants. Around the lake giraffes, antelopes, hippos, wildebeest and zebra can be observed.

Environment

The lake level of Lake Naivasha is subject to considerable fluctuations. In addition to natural influences large flower farms (such as Sher Karuturi ), a geothermal power plant made ​​south of the lake or the abstraction of drinking water from the tributaries responsible for the decline in the lake level. Furthermore, part of overfishing to environmental problems at Lake Naivasha.

Attractions near the lake

Due to the numerous attractions around the lake it makes sense to stay a few days in the lodges on the lake. The Nakuru National Park can be reached from here in about an hour.

Crescent Iceland Wildlife Sanctuary

The private Crescent Iceland Wildlife Sanctuary is located on an island in the lake. From nearly every Lodge by the lake there are boat connections to the island combined with bird watching trips. On the island, you walk around on foot between the wild animals and, among others, zebra, wildebeest and giraffes can approach up to ten meters. All over the island there are no predators, so goes the only danger from the hippos in the lake, leaving the lake in the early evening and arrive on the island. Unfortunately you can see on the island that it is overgrazed in animals due to the large number. The ticket prices are relatively high for tourists.

Crater Lake Game Sanctuary

This also privately run Crater Lake Game Sactuary is located near the village Kongoni west of the lake. In the center of the unique scenic wildlife parks there is a crater lake surrounded by a forest. The lake is home to over a hundred different species of waterfowl. Depending on the water level of the other lakes in the Rift Valley, one can observe even larger populations of flamingos. In addition to waterfowl, you can still watch many other species of mammals, including giraffes, zebras, baboons, eland or black and white colobus monkeys. The park can be explored either on foot or by car.

Hell's Gate National Park

South of the lake is the Hell's Gate National Park. In this relatively small, only 68 acre park one can observe giraffes, zebras and monkeys. The present leopards and cheetahs you get but hard to see. The center of the park is the Njorowa Gorge ( or Hell's Gate).

Elsamere Conservation Centre

The Elsamere Conversation Centre, the former home of Joy and George Adamson, is located next to Elsamere directly on Naivashsee. After the murder of Joy Adamson it was a research center with integrated museum.