Naivasha Kongoni Lodge

Highlights

• Lakeside setting on the shores of Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley
• Executive suites with private plunge pools and indoor jacuzzis
• Boat cruises on Lake Naivasha with hippo and bird sightings
• Walking safaris on Crescent Island among giraffe, zebra and waterbuck
• Easy access to Hell's Gate National Park for cycling and hiking

You Should Know

• Child policy: executive suites accommodate two adults and two children; deluxe suites accommodate two adults and three children
• Lake Naivasha is malaria-prone, prophylaxis recommended
• Cool evenings year round at altitude, pack layers
• Long rains fall March to May, short rains November to December

The Details

Naivasha Kongoni Lodge sits on the southern shore of Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in Kenya's Great Rift Valley around 50 miles north-west of Nairobi. The drive from the capital takes roughly two hours and the road climbs through the escarpment before dropping to the lake at around 6,200 feet above sea level.

The grounds run down to the water and are grazed by hippo at night and by waterbuck, zebra and giraffe by day. Acacia woodland and lawns frame the suites and the main lodge. The property is managed by Private Collection and works well as a one or two-night Rift Valley stop on a longer Kenyan safari, paired with the Masai Mara, Amboseli or Samburu.

Accommodation

Executive suites are the headline rooms with a king bed, lounge and dining area, en-suite bathroom with hot shower and bidet, an indoor jacuzzi and a private outdoor plunge pool on the terrace. All face the lake.

Deluxe suites feature a queen bed, lounge and dining area, en-suite bathroom and hot shower, electronic safe and lake views. The deluxe layout sleeps two adults and up to three children.

Dining

The lodge restaurant serves a mix of Kenyan and international dishes across breakfast, lunch and dinner, with lake views from the dining terrace. Full-board rates bundle all three meals each day.

Wildlife and Activities

Activities centre on the lake and the surrounding Rift Valley. Boat cruises on Lake Naivasha bring guests close to pods of hippo and to the lake's prolific birdlife, including African fish eagle, pelican and kingfisher.

Walking safaris on Crescent Island, a private sanctuary on the lake, allow guests to walk among giraffe, zebra, eland, waterbuck and wildebeest with no predators present. Hell's Gate National Park, a short drive away, is one of the few Kenyan parks open to cycling and walking through its gorges and basalt columns. Day trips to Lake Nakuru National Park for rhino and flamingo are also possible.

Price Includes

• Accommodation in a deluxe suite on full-board basis
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
• Use of lodge facilities and grounds
• Taxes and service charges