Crescent Island Game Sanctuary
Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha is a private sanctuary with no big predators, so families can take a guided walking safari right alongside giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and waterbuck. Being on foot among the animals is a thrilling, gentle adventure that suits children well. The island is reached by a short boat ride across the lake.
Good to know: Wear comfortable walking shoes; the guided walk takes around 1.5 hours.
How a family visit works
- 1Drive Moi South Lake Road and meet your boat at the jetty used by the sanctuary that day. Crescent Island is reached by a short crossing; you do not wade. Confirm the boat, the walk, and the return time as one booking.
- 2On landing you walk with a guide. There are no big predators, which is why this is a walking safari among giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and waterbuck. Stay in the group; close animals still kick.
- 3The guided walk is about an hour and a half. Children who cannot do a slow hike on uneven ground should skip this and do a lake boat ride instead, which is a different outing.
- 4Return on the same boat. Two and a half hours covers crossing, walk, and crossing back. Do not plan it as a five-minute photo stop.
- 5Wear real walking shoes. The island is grass, holes, and animal dung, not a boardwalk.
What kids actually do here
- Giraffe and zebra at walking distance, without a car window in between
- A short boat to an island sanctuary, then back
- No lion-or-buffalo vehicle rules, because the walk is the product
- Wildebeest and waterbuck on open grass
- A guided pace that can slow for photos and questions
Before you go
Let your child save up for Crescent Island Game Sanctuary
Entry here is roughly KES 500–1,500 a child (our estimate). In Tija, kids earn coins for chores you set and put them toward a goal they pick, like this outing, then watch it fill up as the chores get done.
Free to download on Android. On a computer, Google Play can send it straight to your phone.
What to pack
- Walking shoes you do not mind getting dusty
- Hats, sunscreen, and water for an unsheltered walk
- Binoculars if you have them, though much of the game is close
- A dry pouch for the boat
Parent questions
- How is this different from a Lake Naivasha boat ride?
- The boat here is only the shuttle. The point is walking among game on the island. A dedicated hippo-and-fish-eagle boat stays on the water and does not land you for a safari on foot.
- What age is this for?
- Children who can walk steadily for 90 minutes on grass. Toddlers in arms get heavy. A lakeside boat with life jackets is the better Naivasha water outing for that age.
Hours, tickets and activity rules change. Confirm the current details on the official site or at the gate before you travel.
Next outing, let them chip in
Set a few chores in Tija, your kids earn coins, and the coins go into a savings goal for the next day out. Built for Kenyan families, priced in shillings.
More for families: Holiday outing planner · Savings Challenge · Parent guides · Tija for Schools
