Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in Kenya, part of the Great Rift Valley.

Related Topics:
Lake - Kenya - Great Rift Valley

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The name derives from the local Maasai name Nai'posha, meaning "rough water" because of the sudden storms which can arise. The lake has a surface area of 160 square kilometres, but this can vary largely depending on rainfall. It is situated at an altitude of 1,890 metres / 5900 ft. The lake has an average depth of 5 metres.

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The lake is home to a variety of wildlife; over 400 different species of bird have been reported. It is particularly famous for its flamingos. There are two smaller lakes in the vicinity of Lake Naivasaha: Oloiden and Sonachi (a green crater lake).

Related Topics:
Species - Bird - Flamingo

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Between 1937 and 1950 the lake was used as a landing place for flying boats on the Imperial Airways passenger and mail route from Southampton in Britain to South Africa. It linked Kisumu and Nairobi.

Related Topics:
1937 - 1950 - Flying boat - Imperial Airways - Southampton - Britain - South Africa - Kisumu - Nairobi

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At a roughly similar time, Joy Adamson, the author of Born Free, lived on the shores of the lake.

Related Topics:
Joy Adamson - Born Free

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