LAKE NAIVASHA

Lake Naivasha is surrounded by stands of papyrus and is a bird watchers paradise. Waterbirds exists in great variety and abundance. Fish eagles and Ospreys herons and egrets, lily-trotters, red knobbed coots and black crakes can be found within the area. In addition to the bird population, over 500 hippos reside in the lake. While in Naivasha you could easily visit the Hells Gate National Park for walking safaris and see the Geo Thermal power station (Ol Karia)that supply power to the locals.

OFFICIAL CATEGORY (Ministry of Tourism Classification): 3 ***

LOCATION: Chui Lodge is located in the private Kongoni Ranch in Naivasha.

DESCRIPTION: It has five artistically designed cottages with fireplaces and en-suite bathrooms. There is also a secluded cottage specifically for children. The main lodge overlooks the waterhole and has two fireplaces, dining area and a bar. There is also a swimming pool. Chui is crafted from simple bush stone, local Acacia, Leleshwa and Olive woods with a beautiful twisted Marula roof. All the textiles in the Lodge are original batik artworks done on site, whose warm shades enhance the earthy colors of the ochre enriched walls. Bark cloth lampshades bathe the African antiques and carvings on the pillars in subtle light.

NUMBER OF ROOMS: Five (plus one for children) breathtaking cottages, each individually designed with four poster beds, roaring log fireplaces and luxurious ensuite bathrooms. Each cottage has it's own veranda with fabulous views over the Mau Escarpment.

Room Amenities: Roaring log fireplaces and luxurious ensuite bathrooms and a delightful veranda with its own view.

Room Décor: The marble basin tops, roaring log fires, painted windows and magnificent four poster olive wood King sized beds ensure the essential touch of luxury.

Special Feature: Chui Lodge is set in Kongoni Game Sanctuary which is home to some of Kenya's rarer species such as White Rhino, Leopard, Cheetah, Oryx, Grevy Zebra and many more. Kongoni has 44 different mammal and over 300 identified bird species.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE FACILITIES: Outstanding professionally trained chefs deliver an exquisite array of cuisine to suit all tastes. the emphasis is on diverse multi-culture cuisine, which is made possible with an extensive kitchen and a Tapinyaki hot-plate.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
? Sundowners Bush Breakfasts/Lunches.
? Drives in bordering Hell's Gate National Park.
? Visits to the world renowned Elsamere Conservation Centre.
? Boating trips on Lake Naivasha.
? Horticultural visits
? Swimming pool.

CRATER LAKE

OFFICIAL CATEGORY (Ministry of Tourism Classification): 4****

LOCATION: Crater Lake is a secluded green soda lake at the bottom of an extinct volcano, tucked away in central Kenya. It is, in the author's opinion, the most beautiful natural phenomenon in Kenya. Approximately 40 km out of Naivasha town past the lake, some 15 km past Elsamere Centre you can find this rarely visited natural green soda lake.

DESCRIPTION:
Crater Lake has just 11 tents so your peace and privacy are guaranteed. The tents sit in secluded clearings in the lakeside forest with sweeping views over the flamingo-lined waters. Each is furnished with a giant four-poster bed, fine reproduction furniture, and an en suite bathroom with hot shower. The camp’s new ‘honeymoon tent’ boasts some of Africa’s most scenic bathing – in a sunken bath looking over the lake through a giant stained-glass window.

NUMBER OF ROOMS : 23 beds in double bedded and twin bedded tents, including a honeymoon suite with a double jacuzzi bath.

? Room Amenities
Each tent is furnished with a giant four-poster bed, the finest furniture and an ensuite bathroom with piping hot shower. The new 'honeymoon tent' offers a sumptuous bedroom and a deep sunken bath looking over the lake through a giant stained-glass window.

CONFERENCE FACILITIES: Available

GENERAL FACILITIES:
• Escorted game walks
• Boating on the lake
• Horse riding
• Night drives
• Bird walks
• Stargazing
• Crater rim sundowners
• Candlelit "lake dinners"
• Historical tours

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:
• Game drives in Hell's Gate National Park
• Climbing and hiking on Mount Longonot
• Dinghy sailing on Lake Naivasha
• Black Bass fishing on Lake Naivasha
• Tea at the Edwardian manor of Lentolia
• Fly camping on the crater floor
• Visiting Lake Nakuru National Park and "the world's greatest bird spectacle"

ELSAMERE

OFFICIAL CATEGORY: (Ministry of Tourism Classification): (exclusive)

LOCATION: The turn off for Elsamere is the Moi South Lake Road, 22km from its junction with the old Nairobi/Nakuru road at Naivasha town. Naivasha is approximately 100 Kms from Nairobi

DESCRIPTION: Elsamere is a haven for lovers of nature, set in Acacia forest on the banks of Lake Naivasha, in Kenya's Rift Valley and within the Elsa Conservation Trust established in 1963 by Joy and George Adamson, their work in conservation is part funded by the Elsa Conservation Trust through education and training. The conservation centre provides information on the lake ecology and regularly hosts research programs to monitor the lake and the local wildlife. Elsamere has also become quite famous for its resident troop of black and white Colobus monkeys which visit the centre regularly. Guests may easily view the troop from the lakeside lawn. Other frequent visitors to the centre are a pod of hippopotami which often graze on the lawn at night.

NUMBER OF ROOMS: The centre provides accommodation for 16 people in cottages set in the gardens around the main house.

Room amenities: Each cottage has a veranda and faces towards the lake. The rooms are bright and attractive and all have ensuite bathrooms. Guests may also choose to stay in the main house in the Joy Adamson bedroom, which has easy wheelchair access.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE FACILITIES: Elsamere prides itself on its warm hospitality and home like atmosphere. The day starts with a hot breakfast; lunch is buffet style with plenty of outdoor tables and chairs for alfresco dining. Dinner is hosted each night and it is the perfect opportunity to get to know other guests, many of whom may be visiting researchers and conservationists
Elsamere does not have a bar facility. Guests are invited to bring their own alcohol.

Special feature: Early mornings at Elsamere are a special time, the African Fish Eagles herald the dawn with their memorable ringing cry and the chorus of bird song continues through-out the day. Elsamere is a bird watcher's paradise, over 200 species of birds have been recorded and rare species such as the Verraux's Eagle Owl are regularly sighted

CONFERENCE FACILITIES: Not available

GENERAL FACILITIES:
The museum contains a small collection of Joy's paintings and artifacts. Memorabilia from the film Born Free and a range of photos documenting Joy and George's work with wildlife are also on display.
The Elsa Trust shop stocks a variety of T-shirts, jewellery, books, earrings and prints of Joy's works are also for sale
There is also a video library of conservation and wildlife documentaries.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES: Elsamere is conveniently located near many local attractions.
Hells Gate National Park is one of the only parks in Kenya that permits walking. The park has a wide variety of game including a large number of raptors and the scenery is quite spectacular.
A trek up Mt. Longonot, a 2,800 meter extinct volcano, is another interesting day's outing.

Visiting Crater Lake with its emerald green colored water is yet another option and there are also many unique handicraft shops in the area.

Guests may hire boats or arrange a guided tour to view birds and other wildlife on the nearby Crescent Island.

CLIMATE: Tropical climate with wet weather from May to July (Long Rains) and October to November (Short Rains). Temperatures ranging from 17? to 29?C. Warm during the day and cool at night.

OFFICIAL CATEGORY (Ministry of Tourism Classification): 3***

LOCATION: On the shores of Lake Naivasha, about 90 Kms. from Nairobi.

DESCRIPTION: Naivasha Country Club became famous in the 1930’s as a staging post for Imperial Airways’ flying boat service from Durban to London. The 55-acre property boasts green lawns shaded by mature acacias and spreading fever trees, that stretch down to the lake’s shore. The hotel offers a wonderful mix of tranquility in serene surroundings and a varied number of sporting activities for both the energetic and the more laid back. Lake Naivasha is the focus of activity but the abundant birdlife and several activities in the area mean there is never a shortage of things to do.

NUMBER OF ROOMS: 36 twin rooms,
8 cottage rooms, 3 garden chalets, 1 executive Lake Cottage and 2 superior triplets

Room décor: The old comfortable architecture is solid and comfortable with a variety of accommodation in rooms and cottages facing the rolling lawns and the lake.

Room amenities: En-suite facilities with mosquito nets.

Special feature: The Crescent Island, a private game sanctuary, 15 minutes by boat from the hotel, one of the few places in the world where one can wander on foot amongst zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, vervet monkeys, hares, genet cats, waterbuck and giraffe.
Lake Naivasha is also an ornithological Paradise

FOOD AND BEVERAGE FACILITIES:
Dining Room – capacity 100, attractive timber ceiling is on two levels and is situated in the main building overlooking the garden. Windows on three sides give guests an excellent view of the gardens leading down to the lake.

Other bars and restaurants:
• Flamingo Bar
• Lake Lawns - Chairs and tables are arranged under the enormous shady yellow fever acacia trees. Here guests may order drinks or coffee whilst watching the numerous birds.
• Pool Bar - Open between 9.00am and 6.00pm, serves snacks (not in lieu of lunch from the main restaurant)

GENERAL FACILITIES:
• Children - Children are welcome at Lake Naivasha Country Club. Many bedrooms are easily large enough to accommodate an extra bed. Children’s menu and early supper available. Baby sitting serves available. Activities for children include a special play area and children’s pool. Accommodation for nanny available.
• Communication - 24-hour telephone and fax services and now e-mails
• Two gift shop
• Bureau de Change + major credit cards accepted

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:
• Swimming Pool – enclosed, with its own garden and children’s pool.
• Verandah - stretching to the bar in the main building overlooks the gardens, has leather and limed wood chairs and marble-topped tables, exudes an elegant and fashionable air.
• Snooker Room - Adjoins the Flamingo Bar and houses a full sized snooker table.
• Residents Lounge - large comfortable room with an enormous fireplace, tasteful furniture and warm colours gives the feeling of being in a family living room, open to watch TV or video, o has a card table and backgammon for guest use. Board games available from the reception.
• Boating - Boats rented out on an exclusive basis per hour for bird watching, fishing trips and expeditions to Crescent Island. An 18-seater flat-decked cruiser sails every evening for a romantic sundowner cruise that combines a sumptuous sunset with exotic drinks. Ideal for groups and small incentive parties, a full bar can be accommodated on board and cocktails and canapés served.
• Bird watching - Naivasha has the highest concentration of Fish Eagle in the world and over 300 species of birds have been sighted on and around the lake. The guides have a wide knowledge of the birds and their habits.
• Crescent Island - By boat
• Day trips - Trips can be arranged to areas of interest in the Naivasha area including Elsamere, Hells Gate and Mt. Longonot.

CONFERENCE FACILITIES:
The fully equipped conference room is set away from the main buildings in the gardens adjacent to the swimming pool. The room opens out into a verandah and beyond, the gardens create a perfect setting for a coffee break or cocktail party for up to 100 people. Boardroom capacity of 45, 30 theatre style and 30 classroom style.

CLIMATE: The highest of the Rift Valley lakes is at about 1880 M above sea level.