See wild Hippos at Lake Naivasha, Kenya

Just a couple of hours drive north of the bustling city of Nairobi in Kenya lies Lake Naivasha, a large freshwater lake. A huge expanse of water and a welcome break from the surrounding landscapes which are drier, although very green because of the high rainfall in this region. It is situated at around 1880m and is the highest lake in the Great Rift Valley.

Lake Naivasha’s proximity to Nairobi makes it a popular weekend destination, and it can get busy with day-trippers from the city. It’s best to add a visit to Lake Naivasha into an itinerary that takes in other surrounding scenery too, such as Hells Gate National Park, or Longonot National Park.

Most people come to Lake Naivasha to see the incredible wildlife as well as the beautiful landscape. The hippos, flamingos, and other animals in the area are in such high concentration that you are almost guaranteed to see them up close.

How do I get to Lake Naivasha?

It is easy to get to Lake Naivasha from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, as it is only 100km away on a good tarmac road. It takes around 2-2.5 hours but can take much longer if traffic is bad. When we drove, we got caught in a traffic jam in both directions.

It’s easy and cheap to hire a car in Kenya, around $25 USD per day, and petrol is cheap. They drive on the left here which we always love—we’re from the UK after all!

What animals can I see at Lake Naivasha?

Lake Naivasha in Kenya is home to a huge population of hippos—with over 1500 in the area you’re almost guaranteed to see them. There are also hundreds of species of birds in this area, and for that reason it’s known as a great area for birdwatchers.

In some months, multiple species of flamingos arrive at the lake and a pink-coloured hue washes over the landscape, stark against the lakes green-blue tinge and beautiful against the setting orange sun.

Whilst in the area of Lake Naivasha, you’re likely to see giraffes, zebras, impalas and waterbuck too. When we were here, we saw giraffes crossing the main roads, as well as zebra grazing on roadsides all over the place, and impala and waterbucks in the evenings before the hippos appeared.

What is the best place to see hippos when at Lake Naivasha?

You can see the hippos in Lake Naivasha from many places, including on the water itself by going on a boat trip with a guide. As our budget was limited when we visited, we decided that instead of doing a trip on the water, we’d view the hippos from dry land when they came out at nighttime.

The best place we found to see hippos coming out of the lake free of charge was the Lake Naivasha Country Club. This lovely hotel and restaurant sits right on the waters edge, and has a spectacular view over the lake from their terrace and lawns. It’s best to come here in the evening, around an hour before sunset, to enjoy the view as the sun goes down over the lake.

After sunset, something magical happens. Hippos start to leave the water and come onto the lawns, as if they’ve been summoned. They graze on grass at nighttime, and so this is when they’re most active. The grounds of the hotel provide the perfect feeding environment for them.

They wander freely around the grounds, and the hotel employs guards that keep an eye on exactly where they are, without getting too close, to ensure guests’ welfare. For a small tip, they will take you within a few metres of the hippos. This is well worth doing—it’s an amazing experience to be so close to such a huge and iconic animal.

How close can I get to the hippos at Lake Naivasha?

If you’re on a boat trip, you can get very close to the hippos, but they will usually be fully submerged in the water. It’s a bit spooky to see so many eyes looking your way, and knowing just how big they are underneath the surface.

If you head to the Lake Naivasha Country Club, you can get very close to the hippos—a couple of metres away. The guards will ensure your welfare; they are there to protect guests and ensure the hippos aren’t disturbed too much. They expect a small tip for their services.

Being so close to these majestic creatures is an experience we’ll never forget. Sometimes in life we experience things that we know—in the moment—will stay with us for the rest of our lives. Watching wild hippos graze on the expansive lawns, with a bonfire burning nearby, and a glass of wine in hand, was one of these special moments, and I’ll cherish it forever.