LAKE NAIVASHA:
Spread out over 110 square kilometres, a pearl in the bosom of the Kenya Rift, the waters of Lake Naivasha glisten silver as the sun slopes swiftly towards the west. Purest and highest of all the Rift lakes, Naivasha is also a bird sanctuary without peer. Over 400 species have been recorded here.
Lake Naivasha is a stunning freshwater lake, fringed by thick papyrus. The lake is almost 13kms across, but its waters are shallow with an average depth of five metres. Lake area varies greatly according to rainfall, with an average range between 114 and 991 sq kms. At the beginning of the 20th Century, Naivasha totally dried up and in effect, disappeared. The resulting open land was farmed, until heavy rains a few years later caused the lake to return to existence, swallowing up the newly established estates. The lake and its surrounds are abundant in natural bounty, and the fertile soils and water supply have made this one of Kenya's prime agricultural regions.
Afternoon wind and storms can cause the Lake to become suddenly rough and produce high waves. For this reason, the local Maasai christened the lake En-aiposha meaning "rough water", which the British later misspelled as Naivasha.
Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of the yellow barked Acacia Xanthophlea, known as the yellow fever tree. The forests abound with bird life, and Naivasha is known as a world class birding destination. The waters of the lake draws a great range of game to these shores. Giraffe wander among the acacia, Buffalo wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from the treetops while the Lakes large Hippo population sleep the day out in the shallows.
It was on these shores that Joy Adamson fostered Elsa and her cubs, the heroine of her wildlife classic, "Born Free". Now Adamson's home, Elsamere, is a living memorial - a wildlife education centre and museum.
The area surrounding the Lake is well worth exploring. There are two smaller lakes nearby, Oloidien, and Sonachi, a dazzling green cater lake. Hell's Gate National Park lies beside the lake. This Park was named for its pair of enormous red tinged cliffs framing a geo-thermically active interior of steam vents and bubbling springs.
The park is home to an abundance of plains game and birdlife. Walking is permitted, making it ideal for hiking, biking, and rock climbing. Boat trips on the lake are widely available, and is a great way to spend an afternoon or morning. Sunsets are always spectacular, with the haunting call of a Fish Eagle high over the Lake bringing the day to a perfect end. |
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