Experience unusual safaris on the shores of Lake Naivasha in Kenya

The Rift Valley is home to many lakes, but Lake Naivasha is one of the few freshwater lakes in the Great Valley. Just a 2-hour drive from Nairobi, it is a veritable paradise for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. A tranquil oasis in the heart of Africa, tourists come here in search of relaxation, tranquillity and adventure. It is home to an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna. Its surface area varies with the seasons. In the rainy season, it can cover more than 990 km2 , while in the dry season, a huge part of its surface area is lost, reducing it to just 114 km2 . Nevertheless, it remains an animal paradise all year round. The lake also plays an important role in the country's economy, with workers from all over the country coming here to find work in the agricultural sector, particularly in flower growing.

Close to one of its shores, the lake has a small crescent-shaped island called Crescent Island. This is a veritable bird sanctuary, home to hundreds of species of birds - pelicans, cormorants, fish eagles, you name it. But above all, it is one of the country's most sought-after safari destinations. It's like entering a little secret garden of a thousand wonders, set against a spectacular backdrop of rolling hills. The whole area is interspersed with ponds and forests of the emblematic acacia tree. The area is inhabited by numerous animals that do not suffer from the fear of predators. In fact, you can enjoy a predator-free safari here. The island came into being in 1988, when the waters of the lake had receded considerably. The Kenyan government decided to classify it as an animal sanctuary. Today, the island is home to a variety of ecosystems, including forests, lakes and swamps.

Crescent Island is a unique safari site where you can walk through the heart of a game reserve and see giraffes, wildebeest, zebras and Thompson's gazelles up close. And it's absolutely unique, as Crescent Island is one of the only places in the world where you can experience a walking safari! It's also worth noting that the activity of the animals here is guided by the tides of the lake. When the rainy season is in full swing, the island is confined and the animals remain within it. But when the dry season arrives, the lake level drops and Crescent Island becomes a peninsula attached to the mainland.

The site is open every day from 9am to 5pm. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for students and $12 for children. You can only access the site by water. The best thing is to be in a group, as the boat charges the same price whether you're on your own or the boat is reduced.

A popular destination for the people of Nairobi due to its easy access to the capital, Lake Naivasha is a much-loved sanctuary for Kenyans and tourists alike. The shores of the lake, with their lush vegetation and incredible birdlife, attract adventure-seeking travellers. You can take a boat safari to see the hippos at close quarters. You can also admire the many birds that call the lake home, including cormorants, pelicans and fish eagles. In fact, there are so many of them that they rank the lake as the place in Kenya with the most animals per hectare. It's a real paradise for birdwatchers. But as well as exploring the shores of the lake by boat, you can also take a short safari on horseback, and get up close and personal with large mammals such as giraffe and wildebeest, which are used to the presence of horses.

Located close to Lake Naivasha, you can also discover the absolutely spectacular scenery of Hell's Gate National Park. Behind this somewhat ominous name lie lava flows and a volcano that dominate the terrain, reminiscent of Antelope Canyon in Arizona! Set off on foot, for a walk not to be missed. The area is also ideal for rock climbers.