Naivasha tourism sector has grown to not only rely on its vast nature-tourism but also becoming an ideal destination for conference tourism in Kenya.
Tourism is one of the key drivers of the Kenya’s economy. After independence in 1963, Kenya mainly relied on agricultural exports for foreign exchange, but due to dwindling prices of major exports such as coffee and tea, the country has turned to tourism as an alternative.
Kenya is endowed with variety of natural beauty that range from wildlife, safaris, beaches, physical landscape and the culture of its people. Naivasha, which sits on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, is a major transit point for goods, and a stopover for many travellers as well a major attraction area in the country.
Located in the north-west of Nairobi, Naivasha tourism sector has grown to not only rely on its vast nature-tourism but also becoming an ideal destination for conference tourism. Naivasha, is now ranked by International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) as one of the ideal locations being preferred by global organisations to hold international conferences.
Places to visit in Naivasha Kenya
One of the main attractions is Hell’s Gate National Park, savannah grassland – complete with wildlife herbivores, exotic birds and rugged scenery. The park is home to animals like antelopes; zebras; monkeys; boars; and hippos, and birds like pelicans; the fish eagles; kingfishers; and flamingos. Particular sites include the Fischer’s tower, Njorowa gorges and the Central tower, and the visitors are encouraged to do hiking, rock climbing, cycling and horse riding. The park has three campsites and includes a Maasai Cultural Center, to showcase the history of the tribe.
There is also Lake Naivasha, a fresh water lake in Kenya, surrounded by forests of the yellow acacia trees. You can spend the day riding boats or doing various water sports, surrounded by hippos and over 100 bird species, and during the night you can camp right next to the lake.
You can also visit Ol-Karia geothermal power projects that use hot springs to generate power, and have a view of how hot water seeping out of the surface sustains bright green algal colonies that have clearly adapted to the water high temperatures. Mount Longonot, a dormant volcanic mountain with a deep crater in its middle created during the formation of the Great Rift Valley can also be seen at a distance.
One of the major factors that have made Naivasha become so attractive to tourist, is its close proximity to Nairobi, a 90km ride. The environment is quiet, unlike the hectic capital, and the area is now becoming a common place for individual travelers seeking holiday’s destination and family retreats, and corporate companies looking for a serene environment to hold corporate conferences and team building away from Nairobi.
Investing in Naivasha
There are several companies that have invested in Naivasha and these ranges from hotels, flower farms, shopping malls, real estate and others.
With the geothermal energy just nearby and the plan to make it cheaper for the industries operating within the area, we are set to see more people investing in Naivasha due to its many other favorable factors.
Hotels in Naivasha
Naivasha boast some of the best hotels and lodges in the country, with over 46 hotels, 3 to 5- stars, the town offers a wide range of choices to people with different budgets ensuring everyone is catered for. Some of the best hotels include: Lake Naivasha Country Club, The Sleeping Warrior Lodge, and Peppercorn Holiday resort, Masada Hotel, Lake Naivasha Resort and Great Rift Valley Lodge.