Adventure in Paradise Lost, Kiambu

Post by Evans Mfani.

Lake Naivasha Resort: A Colonial Farmhouse with a Breathtaking Touch of Modern Creativity

Unlike most of its competitors in the region, Lake Naivasha Resort does not only pride itself with creative architectural and landscaping designs but also a rich colonial history. 

The facility is set on what was formerly an English Farmhouse that at one time provided home for the first Official King Edward the 7^th and King George the 5^th among other prominent personalities of that time. I think it’s the thought of this that makes me feel like I’m walking in the history of great men whenever I make my way around the beautifully tended pathways in the lake side resort.

Lake Naivasha Resort has nice a beautifully manicured lawns on which you can take a nature walk while watching a variety of bird species. I have always loved extending this walk onto the Crescent Island Game Conservancy to catch a view of the small dik diks grazing among the tall Masai giraffes and the striped zebras. And of course the activities can never be complete without a boat ride to experience the real beauty of Lake Naivasha as you mingle with the huge hippos in their natural homes. On a lucky day, you would catch a glimpse of black buffaloes in the mucky waters.

Lake Naivasha Resort accommodation and conference facilities

Here you get to choose from a range of standard rooms that come at what I will call a pocket friendly price. This is considering all the comfort and luxury offered here, not forgetting the high quality services. There are also a range of executive rooms if you want to get a real pampering of luxury. The people interested more in adventure rather than just luxuries have the choice of luxury tents that are fully furnished.

So where is Lake Naivasha Resort?

The great getaway resort is less than 10 minutes drive from the Naivasha town CBD. It is a few metres past Yellow Green Accommodation on the Moi South Lake Road from Naivasha town.

View Map

If you are new here and would like a comfortable ride to the resort by one of our friendly Naivasha Cabs service drivers, give us a call on 0724698357. We can also do all the accommodation arrangement and bookings for you in advance if you would like that as well. We wish you a happy visit in Lake Naivasha; may you come back again!

The Beauties and Wonders of Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is definitely one of the places you want to visit. The fresh water lake located in the Great Rift Valley provides a scenic view, with birds and hippos graciously making their way around the deep green papyrus. This lake is surrounded by rich natural resources and very fertile soils that have made the area one of Kenya’s agricultural prime lands.

Did you know the origin of the name Lake Naivasha? Well, this lake can grow rough when afternoon winds blow over it producing high waves. Because of this, the local Maasai community called it “Naiposha” which means “the rough waters.” Foreign communities, not able to pronounce the word correctly, later misspelled it and it became “Naivasha.”

If you visit the lake and see how expansive it is, you may think that it is a natural beauty that has always existed here. However, at the start of the 20^th century, Lake Naivasha had dried up and completely disappeared. The resultant land was settled upon and farms and estates were established. A few years later, there were heavy rains, so heavy that the depression collected enough water to re-establish the lake. The farm lands and estates that had been developed on the land were submerged.

Today, Lake Naivasha is approximately 13 km wide, occupying a space of between 114 and 991 square kilometres. It shrinks considerably during the dry seasons giving the local community a window period during which they establish makeshift farms on the fertile grounds. It attains its maximum area between March and April during the long rains.

Much of the Naivasha Lake is surrounded by the yellow barked acacia trees. This creates a haven for bird viewing, with visitors coming from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the various bird species that found home here. The natural environment here has attracted a range of wild animals. During the day, you will enjoy seeing Maasai giraffes feeding atop the tall acacia trees, water bucks, Zebras and impalas grazing on the soft green grass and the black buffaloes wallowing in the muddy marshland. The large hippos will be peacefully resting in the shallows and occasionally blowing a spray of water that could go up to 2 meters high.

Not very far from Lake Naivasha, there are other two small lakes. The Oloidien Lake is said to have initially been a part of the larger Naivasha Lake but broke away as the lake shrunk. It is a salty lake that is occasionally home to the red flamingos. There are about four known hippo families living here. A few kilometres from Oloidien lies a bright green crater lake called Sonachi. The Hell’s Gate National Park is also less than 10 km from Lake Naivasha. This is where to go if you want to enjoy wild walking, biking or rock climbing. You would want to experience its gigantic red cliffs between which there are active steam vents and springs of hot water.

It is easy to get around the Naivasha Lake since most facilities such as lodges and camp sites for visitors are outstanding and well accessible from the main road. However, to get the most out of your visit to Lake Naivasha, get directed to the best hotels and parks and get a comfortable ride around all interesting areas, you may need the services of a well informed tour guide. 

Lake Naivasha Panorama Park: The Paradise On A Rock Cliff

Hi guys. I’m glad to be your host as I take you around the scenic beauty and architectural marvel that is Lake Naivasha Panorama Park. This is actually not the first time I have come here but I have never stopped marvelling at the ingenious works of architecture placed here.

Lake Naivasha Panorama Park Entrace

From the upper side of the cliff, the entrance to the park welcomes you to a truly serene and natural environment. As you walk down the rocky stairway to the reception, you can’t fail to notice the calmness – like you are walking into the real paradise. I have always been met by warm smiles of the pair behind the reception desk and the first time I let my mind wander off in its usual crazy manner and imagine that the two were some of the angels in this paradise.

Panoramic view of Lake Naivasha

Once in the park, you are treated to a spectacular view of the Naivasha Lake. This Sunday, I was there in the evening and as the warm rays of the setting sun gave the lake touch, it seemed to come alive with a bright golden smile. I will take you down the park to the swimming pool but let’s first have a cup of coffee at the park’s hotel facility.

I do not think I have taken such sweetness in coffee anywhere else despite my now advanced age and many travels. I choose to have white coffee. From where I am seated as I sip the coffee away, I have a marvellous view of the people having fun at the pool below. The children seem to be the happiest as they dive into the water splashing it all over.

Lake Naivasha Panorama Park Swimming Pool

There is a system of stairways that connects the upper side of the Lake Naivasha Panorama Park with the other that is built below the cliff. A walk through the lantern-lit stairways is the most fantastic interaction with nature. I actually come back here just to have a walk on these paths and experience that union with nature. It is the experience that is unique to this park. It has always made me imagine a wedding reception – my wedding reception. I imagine walking on those paths holding my newlywed bride as the African birds sing and the rock hyraxes watch as though to congratulate us on the big life step.

Wedding function at Lake Naivasha Panorama Park

Although Lake Naivasha Panorama Park has excellent facilities for conferences, meeting and accommodation, I feel that its design and setting is perfect for a wedding reception. The romantic air and lighting of the lanterns as you walk the twisted paths of the park can also provide a great destination for honey moon.

Wow, that was a nice walk down here and now I have an elegantly designed swimming pool and an artificial water fall making before me. I have always loved to dive into those blue waters but today I want to explore something else; their drinks. Unique to this paradise in this part of the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha Panorama Park does not offer alcoholic beverages. So I take a seat at the far end where I could have a wholesome view of the pool and the hotel up above the cliff. The lights have started coming on and the air turns romantic. I will be sitting here for a long time... sorry, we will be sitting here for a long time J

We are always happy to hear your comments and share your experiences. Feel free to share any information that would add to our fun and adventure by posting a comment below.

Lake Naivasha: The Little Known Paradise For Holiday Makers

It’s nice that you came to this site because I bet your next vacation will be in the serene and most tranquil environment around the Naivasha Lake. The lake is located just a short 100 km from the country’s capital Nairobi but, surprisingly, just a few people who have experienced the untold goodness of the holiday resources it carries would think of it as a holiday destination. Approaching it from the Naivasha South lake road from MaiMahiu through Longonot Township, no one would think anything interesting would be found around the lake located in a somewhat semi arid region.

The entire shore of Lake Naivasha is covered by some of the country’s best hotels, lodges and resorts save for a few public beaches and private flower farms. It’s no wonder dignitaries will think of a hidden haven at the lake’s shores whenever they have crucial matters to deliberate on and most importantly when they can take no more the heated air of the city of Nairobi. The best thing is that in Naivasha, you will find fun places and holiday activities that will fit you regardless of your size of budget.

It is difficult to talk about Naivasha getaways or holiday destinations without mentioning its hotel facilities. The comfort and luxury you will enjoy with the facilities around the Naivasha Lake is one thing you will surely want to remember for a long time. Take for example the Lake Naivasha Country Club that is designed to be gracefully touched by the lake’s soft waves blown by a cool evening breeze. The club features an ultra-modern swimming pool and a spa.

If you are the kind that adores nature’s beauty, the country club is just the place to go and enjoy activities that bring you in direct contact with wildlife. The tiled floors and colourful decorations in the Club’s accommodation facilities do not fascinate me as much as the wooden fittings and elegant furniture, not to mention the garden views from the balcony of your private room.

Cool. That was just a mention since I will be doing a comprehensive post about the Lake Naivasha accommodation facilities and their unique offers later. Turn attention to the real fun of visiting the fresh water lake located on the floor of the great African Rift Valley. Who wouldn’t want a boat ride into the waters that are a habitat to thousands of hippos and a variety of bird species? You would particularly enjoy watching them swim and play surrounded by the flowered thick green water hyacinth.

Lake Naivasha has actually more animal species than you can see or count on a day’s visit. There is a sanctuary, perfect for camping, which is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Services. This sanctuary is home to a number of zebras, giraffes, water bucks, buffaloes and most interestingly red impalas. The first time we saw these impalas, a funny friend of ours said that they were wearing white socks with black shoes. And they truly jump around like playful school children with whom they have that one common thing – the white socks and black shoes.

I can’t exhaustively speak of the beauty of Lake Naivasha all in one post but it would be unfair to jungle lovers to conclude without a mention of Hells Gate National Park. It is a few kilometres from the lake but one destination you should not leave out of your Naivasha safari. It’s where you go if you want to experience spectacular views of wildlife against landscape. The land is vast and its tranquillity completed by the gazelles, giraffes and warthogs that freely graze it. I biked through the park and I bet this is one experience I will never forget.

If you have visited any of these places and would like to share your experiences, feel free to leave a comment below. All helpful comments will be published.