Crescent Island Game Sanctuary in Lake Naivasha, Naivasha: Tickets, Hours and Family Guide
Animals and wildlife in Lake Naivasha, Naivasha
Photo: Auto-generated feature card
Crescent Island is a private sanctuary on Lake Naivasha where you walk among giraffe and zebra, about 2 hours' drive from Nairobi plus a short boat ride. Entry is KSh 800 per adult and KSh 400 per child for Kenyan citizens, with the boat transfer paid separately. It is open from 8:30am, with last entry at 4:30pm.
What is Crescent Island Game Sanctuary?
Crescent Island is a private wildlife sanctuary on a crescent-shaped peninsula in Lake Naivasha. It has no vehicles: after a 10 to 20 minute boat transfer from the lakeshore, visitors walk a flat circuit among giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck and gazelle, with hippos and birds along the shore. The sanctuary is known for dense numbers of animals and for walks that bring you close to them.
A walk takes about 1 to 2 hours. Entry is paid at the island gate and the boat transfer is a separate cost, so budget for both. Make sure your boat drops you at the sanctuary jetty and gatehouse, and be back on your return boat before closing, as hippos come ashore at dusk.
The sanctuary is private and is known for some of the highest animal numbers per hectare in Kenya.
Crescent Island Game Sanctuary ticket prices 2026
| Visitor type | Adult | Child (5 to 15) |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya / East African resident | KES 800 | KES 400,515 |
| Non-resident | KES 33 | KES 16 |
Entry fees (2026 tariff on a third-party site): Kenya citizens KSh 800 adult / KSh 400 child; Kenya residents KSh 1,100 / KSh 550; non-residents USD 33 adult, USD 22 student, USD 16 child. The boat transfer is separate: about USD 20 per person on shared boats, or KSh 3,500 to 5,000 for a private boat. School groups pay primary KSh 250 and secondary KSh 350 per student on weekdays. Entry is valid for one visit only.
Family cost calculator
Estimate your total visit cost in seconds. Set your family size, choose your residency status and add optional extras. The calculator uses the same rates shown above.
Calculate your visit cost
Estimates only, based on the rates above. Extras vary.
💡 Money-saving tips for families
- Share a private boat A shared boat costs less per person than hiring one alone | Pay at the gatehouse
Is it right for your child's age?
| Age group | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | Okay | Flat but a 1 to 2 hour walk is long for little legs | 6–9 years |
Key details
- Address
- Crescent Island, Lake Naivasha (boat from the lakeshore off Moi South Lake Road), Naivasha
- Opening hours
- Daily 8:30am to 5:45pm; last entry 4:30pm
- How long to plan
- 1 to 2 hours on the island
- Suitable ages
- All ages (children must manage a 1 to 2 hour walk)
- Setting
- Outdoor
What to expect when you visit
Book or find a boat at the lakeshore and cross to the island in 10 to 20 minutes. Pay your entry at the island gatehouse, not to the boat operator.
Then walk the flat circuit among the animals, taking your time for photos. Be back on your boat before the 5:45pm closing, because hippos come ashore at dusk.
Family essentials
- Safety notes
Be back on your boat by 5:45pm because hippos come ashore at dusk. Keep children close and keep your distance from the animals.
Tickets and costs
- Free entry rules
- No
- Extra costs (activities, rentals, food)
Boat transfer from the lakeshore
Plan your visit
- How to get there
On Lake Naivasha, reached by a 10 to 20 minute boat transfer from the shore; about 85 to 90 km from Nairobi.
- By car
- About 85 to 90 km, roughly 2 hours from Nairobi to the Naivasha lakeshore, depending on traffic
- Combine with
Lake Naivasha boat ride | Hell's Gate National Park | Elsamere Conservation Centre
- What to bring
Hat, sunscreen, water, comfortable walking shoes, camera
What to pack
Tick off what you have. Your list saves automatically on this device.
Family day bag checklist
What visitors say
No reviews yet. Be the first to share what your visit was like.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Crescent Island Game Sanctuary?
- Kenya and East African resident adults pay KES 800 and resident children (ages 5 to 15) pay KES 400,515. Non-resident adults pay KES 33 and non-resident children pay KES 16. Entry fees (2026 tariff on a third-party site): Kenya citizens KSh 800 adult / KSh 400 child; Kenya residents KSh 1,100 / KSh 550; non-residents USD 33 adult, USD 22 student, USD 16 child. The boat transfer is separate: about USD 20 per person on shared boats, or KSh 3,500 to 5,000 for a private boat. School groups pay primary KSh 250 and secondary KSh 350 per student on weekdays. Entry is valid for one visit only.
- What are the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary opening hours?
- Daily 8:30am to 5:45pm; last entry 4:30pm.
- How long do you need at Crescent Island Game Sanctuary?
- Plan for 1 to 2 hours on the island.
- How do you get to Crescent Island Game Sanctuary?
- About 85 to 90 km, roughly 2 hours from Nairobi to the Naivasha lakeshore, depending on traffic. On Lake Naivasha, reached by a 10 to 20 minute boat transfer from the shore; about 85 to 90 km from Nairobi.
Similar places
Animals and wildlife in Nairobi
Nairobi National Park
The only national park within a capital city, about 7 km from Nairobi CBD. Home to lions, rhinos, giraffes and over 400…
- All ages
- Outdoor
- Some toddler activities
Entry from KES 1,000
Animals and wildlife in Nairobi
Nairobi Snake Park
A small reptile park on Museum Hill next to the Nairobi National Museum, with snakes, crocodiles, tortoises and an aqua…
- All ages
- Outdoor
Entry from KES 350
Animals and wildlife in Nairobi
Giraffe Centre
Feed and meet endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform, then walk a 1.5 km nature trail in Lang'ata, Nai…
- Outdoor
- Great for toddlers
Entry from KES 200
Animals and wildlife in Subukia, Nakuru County
Subukia Bandas
Eco-camp with family bandas, farm animals and outdoor activities in the Subukia Valley.
- All ages; farm activities best for 3+
- Eco-camp, farm and outdoor
- Yes, cribs on request
Entry from KES 1
Also in Naivasha
Parks, beaches and nature in Naivasha
Enashipai Resort & Spa
Lakeside resort with kids' club, playground and pools.
- All ages
- Lakeside resort
- Yes, with cribs and babysitting
Entry from KES 0
Amusement and family entertainment in Naivasha
Sirville Adventure Park
Adventure park on the shore of Lake Elementaita at Gilgil with zip lining, sky biking, laser tag, archery and water sli…
- All ages; height and age limits apply on adventure activities
- Outdoor
Entry from KES 25,003,500
Amusement and family entertainment in Naivasha
TGRV Circuit
Go-kart circuit at Mai Mahiu on the floor of the Rift Valley, with a 1.2 km track built to CIK-FIA standards.
- All ages (karting has junior age limits; confirm)
- Outdoor
Amusement and family entertainment in Naivasha
Kikopey Nairobi Lounge
Roadside pub and bar at Kikopey on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway in Gilgil, listed as an adult venue rather than a family…
- 18+ (listed as an adult venue)
- Indoor