Things to do in  Naivasha

The inspiration for animators of Disney’sThe Lion King, Hell’s Gate National Park covers roughly 26 square miles (68.25 square kilometers). Named for a gap in the red-tinged cliffs carved by the flowing waters of a prehistoric lake, it’s the only park in East Africa in which you can get out of your safari vehicle and hike freely.

Despite being one of Kenya’s smallest national parks, Hell’s Gate National Park has plenty of wildlife-watching opportunities and gives you the rare chance to explore on foot. Situated in the Rift Valley, it’s named for the soaring volcanic cliffs of the Ol Jorowa Gorge, where part of Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was filmed.

Flamingos, zebras, giraffes, and buffalos are among the many animals that roam freely within Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, along with more than 150 bird species. On the west shore of Lake Naivasha in Kenya’s Rift Valley, this small reserve is renowned for its striking emerald-green crater lake and its tranquil setting, surrounded by acacia trees.