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Lakes
>> Naivasha
 Lake
Naivasha is a beautiful 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 completely dried up and
effectively 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.
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 Nai'posha meaning ''rough water'', which the British later
misspelt as Naivasha..
 The
lake and its surrounds are rich in natural bounty, and the fertile
soils and water supply have made this one of Kenya's prime
agricultural regions. Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of
the yellow barked Acacia Xanthophlea, known as the yellow fever
tree. These forests abound with bird life, and Naivasha is known as
a world class birding destination.
The region surrounding
the Lake is well worth exploring. There are two more smaller lakes
nearby, Oloidien, and Sonachi, a bright green cater lake. Hell's
Gate National Park lies beside the lake.
This Park was
named for its pair of massive red tinged cliffs framing a
geothermically active interior of steam vents and bubbling springs.
The park is home to a profusion of plains game and birdlife. Walking
is permitted, making it ideal for hiking, biking, and rock climbing.
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