A staple of Naivasha plains game — often seen grazing in open grassland.

Towering browsers that make walking and biking at Sanctuary Farm unforgettable.

Often close to water — look for the shaggy coat and pale ring on the rump.

Elegant antelope with athletic leaps — common in open woodland edges.

Africa’s largest antelope — sometimes seen in open areas of nearby parks.

Better known for migrations elsewhere — but also seen as plains game around Naivasha.

Comical but tough — look for them trotting with tails up like antennas.

Small, fast antelope often seen in open grasslands with other plains game.

Tall-shouldered antelope with a long face and sweeping horns.

A small rock-loving antelope — watch for them on rocky slopes and cliffs.

Powerful bovids — keep distance if you encounter them in nearby parks.

The lake’s heavyweight — often seen from boats and shoreline viewpoints.

Smart, social primates around lodges and park gates — don’t feed them.

Often seen in trees near water and lodges — watch for the black face and pale fur.

Striking black-and-white monkey — more likely in forested areas and crater forests.

Often heard before seen — night drives can reveal these powerful carnivores.

A sharp, adaptable canid — look for the dark ‘saddle’ on the back.

Big ears, termite-loving diet — a special night-drive sighting.

A nocturnal ‘bunny-like’ rodent with kangaroo-style hops.

Tiny nocturnal primate — the ‘bushbaby’ people come to Naivasha to spot.

Secretive nocturnal mammal — occasionally spotted on night drives.

A sleek, cat-like carnivore with a long ringed tail.

A dream sighting: a nocturnal ant-eater digging for termites.

Long-legged cat of grasslands and wetlands — rare but possible in nearby parks.

Elusive and mostly nocturnal — occasionally reported in the Hell’s Gate region.

The lake’s iconic call — often seen perched or swooping for fish.

Huge flocking pelican — especially impressive from a boat.

Smaller pelican often seen close to reeds and shore.

Wades in shallows sweeping its bill side-to-side to catch prey.

Tall, patient hunter along shorelines and reeds.

Bright white egret with black legs — often active in shallow water.

A classic African wetland bird with a curved bill.

Tiny jewel-blue kingfisher — look on low branches near water.

Black-and-white kingfisher famous for hovering dives.

The ‘lily-trotter’ — walks on floating vegetation with huge toes.

Signature lakeshore tree with smooth yellow-green bark.

Small thorn tree with swollen ‘ant galls’ that can whistle in the wind.

Large shade tree often near watercourses — attracts birds and monkeys.

Hardy evergreen with small leaves — common in Rift Valley uplands.

Common East African tree often used in agroforestry; oily seeds.

Tall cactus-like tree (actually a euphorbia) on rocky slopes.

Forked-trunk palm found in Kenya’s drier lowlands and river valleys.

Iconic wetland plant forming dense stands in sheltered bays.

Tall reeds along water margins, key cover for birds.

Recognizable by huge hanging ‘sausage’ fruits.

Floating lilies that create ‘jacana highways’ on calm water.

Marsh plant with distinctive brown ‘cigar’ seed heads.

Floating invasive plant that can form mats on water.

Aloe with tall flower spikes that attract sunbirds.

Bright orange flower whorls that attract butterflies and sunbirds.

Tall shrub with bright daisy flowers — common along roads in Kenya.

Hardy shrub with multi-colored flowers — attractive but invasive.

Classic splash of color in gardens and lodges.

Key wetland plant — worth mentioning for bird habitat.

Umbrella-shaped acacia with pale puffball flowers; typical of East African savanna.