Naivasha Love Festival is a three-day event expected to run from the 13th-15th of February 2020 in Naivasha, to showcase the different facets of Naivasha. Known as a major producer of cut flowers for the western market, and falling on Valentine’s weekend, a name befitting the festival had to be chosen carefully, hence Naivasha Love Festival.

The event is set to be held at Hells Gate National Park with approval from the National Environment Management Authority, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the County Government of Nakuru. The approval addressed the concerns raised by conservationists over the possible human-wildlife conflict regarding the critically endangered ruppell’s vulture that nests and breeds at the park. It was communicated that the noise limits approved by NEMA will be safe enough not to interfere with the birds and wild animals.

The first day of the festival will start with a stake holders conference that will amongst other issues discuss the possibilities of making Naivasha Love Festival the first green event in Africa and by extension turning Naivasha into a green city.

The second day of the festival will mark day one of the first-ever Koroga Festival that will be held outside Nairobi. Right before the festival starts at 2:00 pm, there will be morning activities organized by the Love Festival committee including hiking Mt.Longonot, a Lake Naivasha clean-up and a tree planting exercise. The enticing list of day one performers include Ochunglo Family, Nadia, and Khaligraph Jones.

The third day of the festival will start with a hike in Eburu forest, a cycling race in the park then finally a boat race(These events are optional). At the venue of the event, there will be other activities such as a blood donation drive, business/ trade exhibitions, cultural dances, and kid’s activities. The icing on the cake will be electrifying performances by Kenya’s own Mike Rua, H_art the band and one of Africa’s best performers Diamond Platnumz.

The Love Festival is projected to be an annual event. Get in touch with Turnup.travel, they will plan the entire trip to Naivasha for you.

Places and things I did that I would like you to try out.

Have meals and relax at Sawela Lodges as you wait for Koroga Festival to start at 2:00 pm. Sawela Lodges has one of the best-manicured lawns I have seen in the recent past. They have swings that will for sure bring out the child in you and a swimming pool to cool off. Try out their cashew nut rice and okra stew. Buffet lunch is Ksh 2,500 and swimming is Ksh.1000 bob.

Sleep at Panorama Park and Lodge. In as far as hotels with views are concerned, the panorama park is where the views are at! The hotel practically stands on a hill that overlooks the best part of Naivasha, Lake Naivasha, Mt.Longonot, Eburu hills, and the flower farms. The room and bathroom particularly stood out for me because of how spacious and spotless they were. They provided extra blankets and pillows and the room was so fresh. After a restful night, nothing could have prepared me better for another day than breakfast with a magnificent view of the love city. For more accommodation options reach out to Turnup. Travel or check out the recommendations by the Koroga team.

Walking with wild animals at Crescent Island Game Sanctuary should count as a signature experience in Naivasha. I was stoked to experience this different style of game watching. Imagine walking side by side with giraffes, impalas, horses, and zebras. Other animals in the park were wildebeest, horses, birds, and other grazers and browsers.

A boat race in a lake infested with hippos. Well, sounds scary but that’s where the thrill is at! Hearing the hippos groan and grunt, or wheeze in-between kinda send cold chills down the spine, but with the guidance of the wardens all is safe, they know where to ride on. If you love bird watching, then this would make a nice plan because a whole lot of birds perch on the dead trees inside the lake.

Eat fish straight from Lake Naivasha at Kamere beach. I mean, after a one or so hour boat ride in the hot sun from crescent island to Kamere beach, a combo of ugali deep-fried fish and kachumbari was well deserved. If you are into interacting with locals and genuinely interested in knowing more about them and Naivasha, then Kamere is the place.

See you at Naivasha Love Festival.