OUT AND ABOUT: Why Naivasha never goes out of style

Panorama from the Naivasha View Point / MERCY GICHIMU

Go to any social circle planning a weekend getaway and you’ll hear Naivasha mentioned among the suggested destinations.

Naivasha is a vibrant town in Nakuru county, about two hours from Nairobi by road. It has become a very popular destination for tourists, both local and international, young and old. But why is Naivasha such a big deal, and when did it get this popular?

Naivasha was derived from ‘Nai Posha’, a Maasai phrase meaning ‘a place of rough waters’.

It gained prominence in the 20th century, when it grew from a colonial railway and aviation stop for British settlers and Europeans in general. From the 1970s to the 1990s, it evolved into Kenya’s premier horticultural hub and a popular weekend getaway.

Today, Naivasha has so many tourist attraction sites that visitors are often spoilt for choice. From Hell’s Gate National Park to Mount Longonot National Park, Lake Naivasha, Lake Oloiden, Crescent Island, Crater Lake and the geothermal landscapes around the area, including Olkaria Geothermal spa, there is always something interesting to see and do.

And perhaps one of the reasons Naivasha has managed to remain a favourite is its convenience. It is not far from Nairobi, making it an easy destination for a weekend getaway, holiday or even a quick staycation. The roads leading to Naivasha are also smooth, and the journey itself can be part of the experience, with travellers getting to spot wildlife such as zebras, monkeys and antelopes along the way.

This convenience has also been well leveraged by the hospitality and Airbnb business. With many people visiting Naivasha, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from, whether you are travelling with friends, family, colleagues or even for a work trip or conference. From hotels and resorts to Airbnbs, cabins and camps, visitors are truly spoilt for choice.

One place I found rather interesting during my trip to Naivasha is Hell’s Gate National Park. First of all, the name itself sparked my interest. Why would a place have such a name? But beyond the name, what I found most interesting were the gorges, the towering rocks and the overall landscape of the park. Hell’s Gate is known for its dramatic scenery, with towering cliffs, deep gorges, rock formations and geothermal activity forming part of its unique landscape. Unlike many other parks, visitors can explore parts of Hell’s Gate by bicycle, making the experience feel special and authentic.

The park geothermal landscape is also said to have inspired ‘Pride Rock’, the landscape in the 1994 animation ‘The Lion King’.

Hell’s Gate is home to wildlife such as baboons, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes and giraffes.

The other famous spot in Naivasha is the viewpoint. It has become a common culture for everyone passing by that route to stop over at Naivasha’s viewpoint and view the escarpments, savour the fresh air emanating from the region, take photos and shop at the curio shops that lie there. It is one of those stops that may not have been part of your original itinerary but somehow becomes part of the trip.

Another thing Naivasha is famous for is the hippos. You can literally see lots of them in the lake, and if you are lucky to stay at a resort that is next to the lake, you get to wake up to that view. There is something about sitting by the lake and watching the hippos emerge from the water that makes the Naivasha experience different.

Last but not least, what is Naivasha without mentioning how the place has been closely associated with party life?

This is actually one of the main reasons why it is a favourite destination for many young people. From road trips with flashy cars doing the talking, to a huge number of entertainment joints, camping sites and bonfires lit up at night, there is always so much activity going on in Naivasha.

Whether you prefer a loud, hyped-up getaway filled with music and parties or a quiet, slow weekend tucked away in a cabin or camp sitting next to a bonfire, Naivasha has something for everyone.

So, if you have been sitting at a crossroads, wondering where to go for your next getaway, perhaps Naivasha is worth putting on your list. After all, with its wildlife, beautiful landscapes, adventure, accommodation options and vibrant nature, you may just find yourself wondering why you hadn’t made the trip sooner.

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