Loldia House | Naivasha
Loldia House is an ideal spot to rest, taste the pleasures of Kenyan country life and explore the wonders of the Great Rift Valley.
Set amongst a family farm of 6,500 acres on the shores of Lake Naivasha, this charming property is steeped in history and dates back to 1939. Guests are invited to enjoy a gentle pace of life; relax by the pool, take in the views or head out on a game drive.
In the original family home, there is one en-suite master bedroom. Close by are three guest cottages (each housing two separate en-suite rooms) and two luxury suites (with private plunge pools), offering incredible views across the lake. Our pool-side spa offers a range of massages using 100% natural products by The Wild Herb Company.
Loldia House has been awarded a GOLD Eco Rating from Eco – Tourism Kenya due to our sustainable tourism practices.
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Loldia House Virtual Tour
Each suite has a spacious bedroom that can be converted into a double or a twin with room for an extra bed if needed. A double-sided log-burning stove provides heat to the living room and the bedroom, transforming the suite into a cosy, warm space with a stunning focal point of flickering flames. The beautiful bathrooms feature double vanities, porcelain bathtubs, and double rain showers, while a comfortable indoor seating area offers breathtaking views through floor-to-ceiling windows. To guarantee privacy, each suite has its own entrance, verandah, and plunge pool overlooking Lake Naivasha.
Located just below the infinity pool and spa area and shaded by giant fig trees, the suites are perfect for those seeking a peaceful start or end to their Kenya safari. Please note that there is a supplement charge on top of the Loldia House accommodation rates for these suites.
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, Fireplace, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Lounge, Plunge Pool, Private Lounge / Sitting Area, Private Pool / Jacuzzi, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Verandah, Wardrobe
There are three external cottages set amongst the pretty gardens, each housing two separate en-suite bedrooms (six rooms in total)
Room Facilities
Bath Towels, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, Fan, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Verandah, Wardrobe
Our family-style accommodation comprises an interconnecting double and twin room (ensuite), enabling you to keep your little ones close at night. Both rooms are ensuite with a rain shower, an alcove bathtub and double vanities.
Room Facilities
Bath Towels, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Safe, Shower, Twin Bed, Verandah
One master en-suite bedroom overlooks the rolling lawns and beautiful gardens.
Room Facilities
Bath Towels, Bath, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, Fan, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Wardrobe, Wheelchair Friendly
Property Facilities
Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Library, Malaria Free, Pool, Spa, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Fan, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Shower, Verandah
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Meal on Request, Room Service
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Boating, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Garden Tours, High Tea, Massages, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
Activities Nearby
Animal Encounters, Big 5, Bird Watching, Boat Cruises, Boating, Child Friendly Activities, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Garden Tours, General Sightseeing, Golf, Hiking, Horse Riding, Mountain Biking, Rhino Tracking, Rock Climbing, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
We can arrange day and night game drives on Loldia Ranch to see the resident wildlife, which includes abundant plains game. Night game drives typically depart after dinner and last about one hour. Animals that may be seen on night game drives include bat-eared foxes, hyenas, impalas, aardvarks, leopards, white-tailed mongooses, springhares, nightjars and spotted eagle owls, as well as numerous hippos leaving the lake to graze
Game drives on Loldia Conservancy are included in the accommodation costs.
At over 6,000 feet, Lake Naivasha is the highest lake in the Rift Valley and one of its most beautiful. It is picturesque and fringed by papyrus and with the extinct Mount Longonot as a backdrop. A boat ride is an excellent way to view many bird species and hippos in the area. Loldia House has its own boat and launching jetty.
Boat rides on Lake Naivasha are included in the accommodation cost.
We can offer a nature walk around the farming side of Loldia Ranch, accompanied by one of our naturalist guides and another member of the Loldia team.
This walk takes place within the 700-acre fenced area of Loldia farm, where Lucerne (Alfalfa)—a high-yielding fodder crop—is grown to sustain wildlife during periods of drought. During the walk, it is possible to see some of the smaller wildlife, such as warthogs, monkeys, and a multitude of interesting birds.
Included in the accommodation price.
One of the highlights whilst staying at Loldia House is a day trip to the picturesque Lake Nakuru National Park, world famous for its abundant rhinos and thousands of colourful flamingoes (seasonal).
Guests depart from Loldia after an early breakfast and enjoy a drive through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, approximately 2 hours from Loldia House. Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s smaller National Parks, yet it is one of the most beautiful. The park is abundant with a wide variety of wildlife, including white and black rhinos, endangered Rothschild giraffes, hippos, zebras, buffalos, and various bird species. Depending on the season, guests may have sightings of both the lesser and greater flamingos that famously lined the shore. Enjoy game viewing around the park in our specially designed 4-wheel-drive Landcruisers before choosing a shady spot for a picnic lunch.
Return to Loldia House in time for afternoon tea and cake on the lawn overlooking Lake Naivasha. NNP fees are $60 per adult and $30 per child, subject to change.
Eburru Forest crowns the geologically active Mt Eburru, a volcanic massif in the Great Rift Valley. Mt Eburru is key in influencing local weather patterns, creating a catchment for rains that feed Lake Naivasha and Lake Elmenteita.
The biodiversity of the Eburu is astounding, with some 60 species of mammal and a tiny relic population of the critically endangered mountain bongo. A gentle walk through Eburru will reveal active steam vents, many forest bird species and a rich floral ecosystem.
A truly wonderful experience is witnessing a traditional honey harvesting demonstration by the Ogiek people, the local community living on the edge of the forest. Traditionally hunter-gatherers (and very much into their honey!), the Ogieks maintain and harvest their bee hives as a sustainable livelihood.
Entry into Eburu is $7 per person. The Honey extraction demonstration is $50 per experience.
Between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru lies another of Kenya's alkaline lakes – Lake Elementeita. The area is an important feeding ground for greater and lesser flamingos and a critical breeding site for great white pelicans. A leisurely wander along the shoreline offers a chance to see flocks of flamingos in their thousands and zebras, gazelle, eland, and warthogs. We generally suggest a stop here either on your way to or return from Lake Nakuru National Park as it is on the way.
Entry to the Lake Elmenteita area costs $22 per adult and $11 per child (subject to change), which is paid directly to the Community Project.
Also of interest nearby is the Kariandusi Prehistoric Site: An African Early Stone Age site that dates back approximately 1 million years. It was discovered by renowned palaeontologist Louis Leakey in 1928 and is famous for the abundance of Acheulean hand axes thought to have been made by Homo erectus in a possible ‘hand-axe factory’ like setting.
The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust (KBoPT) is a registered Kenyan Trust (not-for-profit organisation) founded on many years of experience in bird of prey management and conservation in Kenya and worldwide. Their monitoring and research efforts are focused on using the latest methods and technologies to improve the understanding of species’ populations and ecology and inform their conservation directly.
We are proud to be a major supporter of the KBoPT. We cover the costs of providing high-quality meat for all their rescued birds each month. We have also provided funding towards poison-response kits, owl boxes, and X-ray equipment and donated a solar freezer to the Soysambu Raptor Center.
Loldia House guests are encouraged to visit the Naivasha Raptor Centre to spend time with the birds and learn about their rescue, rehabilitation and conservation. Visits are by appointment only, either at 11 am or 3 pm. A USD 20 donation per person is suggested for our guests.
We can also arrange for presentations by one of The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust directors, followed by dinner with an informal question and answer session at Loldia House. A minimum donation of USD 150 is required, and this must be booked in advance.
We can arrange guided morning or afternoon walks around this 14-hectare lake, home to a troop of over 70 Black and White Colobus monkeys and 400 bird species (100 of which can easily be spotted in a day). At certain times during the year flocks of flamingos congregate here in numbers as high as three or four thousand.
Visit Crater Lake - $25 per person (subject to change). Park Fees paid direct.
Head off on a 45-minute drive around the western side of Lake Naivasha from Loldia House, which brings you to another small lake where boats are available for hire and will take you for a leisurely cruise along the lake's edge. This lake has particularly prolific birdlife and a healthy population of hippos. Take a picnic basket of tea and cake and stop along the lakeshore to take in the beauty of this little corner of Africa.
Boat trip on Lake Olodien - $50 for the boat (maximum 6 pax).
Crescent Island is a peninsular connected to the mainland when Lake Naivasha's levels aren't too high.
With our guide, take a walk on the island to view all kinds of wildlife, including wildebeest, waterbuck, zebras, giraffes and waterbuck. The shores host abundant birdlife, such as pelicans, cormorants and fish-eagles. From the top of the hill, there is a 360-degree view across the Lake from Longonot to Hell’s Gate to the Mau Escarpment to Eburu and onto the Aberdares.
The entrance fee for Crescent Island is $33 per adult and $16 per child, subject to change. Please note that the boat charge across to Crescent Island is $30 per person.
We can arrange a climb up Mt Longonot. Mt Longonot is a dormant volcano in the Great Rift Valley, visible from Lake Naivasha. Mount Longonot is a demanding hike, but the top views across the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha are glorious. There is a thick forest on the crater floor, and the volcano's slopes are home to buffalo, eland, leopard, bushbuck, zebra, giraffe, Grant's gazelles, as well as countless species of wildflowers and some interesting birdlife.
We arrange a picnic lunch for guests going on the climb. The park entrance fee is payable directly, and our manager will gladly advise you of the current rates. Please note Mt Longonot is a strenuous climb, and clients must be in good health and fit to take on the climb.
Climb Mt. Longonot costs $26 per adult and $17 per child (subject to change). Park Fees are paid directly.
Kenya is one of the largest growers and suppliers of flowers to the European market - it's where many Valentine's Day long-stem roses come from!
We can arrange a visit to a nearby flower farm for guests staying at Loldia House. Guests are given a guided walk through the farm's greenhouses to see how the flowers are grown, harvested and prepared for shipment to Europe. From cutting to arriving at auction in Europe the process and transport takes just over 48hrs to ensure they arrive fresh!
Entry fee is $10pp, subject to change.
We can arrange for guests to play golf at the nearby 18-hole golf course at Great Rift Valley Lodge. There are lovely views over Lake Naivasha, Mount Longonot and the Aberdare Mountains. Enjoy plenty of birdlife on the course and the occasional zebra wandering across the fairways.
Guests must pay the entrance fees, green fees, hire of golf clubs and caddie fees. The manager of Loldia House can advise on these fees.
Costs for Golf at Great Rift Valley Golf Resort (also has a tennis court):
Hire of Golf Clubs $10 pp
Green fees to play 18 holes are $35 pp
These rates apply to weekdays only
After a long drive, boat ride, or bush walk, immerse yourself into the tranquil world of your Lake Naivasha surroundings in our poolside spa room while our fully-trained spa therapist pampers you using the finest products by The Wild Herb Company.
We have made a conscious effort to ensure that all products are organic. We only use skincare and massage products made from natural and plant-based ingredients. Using organic products is also a way for us to support small independent businesses committed to sustainable and ethical practices.
Please request our spa price list once you are at Loldia House.
Hell’s Gate National Park is known for its interesting geology and the steam geysers that are found in some areas. The cliffs in the park provide ideal nesting and vantage points for many birds of prey. It is possible to hike down the gorge to the hot springs and one of our resident naturalists will be happy to accompany you on the walk.
Hell's Gate Park fees are $26 per adult and $17 per child, subject to change.
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Your Stay
3 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Tea and Coffee Included
Fast Facts
Other
Spoken Languages: English, Swahili
No. Rooms: 9
Special Interests: Big 5, Birding, Flora, Golf, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife
Governors' Camp | Masai Mara National Reserve
Governors’ Camp is Africa’s first permanent luxury tented camp, remaining in its original site since 1972. It occupies the best wildlife viewing location in the Reserve, nestled in the riverine forest along the winding banks of the Mara River, its waters teeming with bird-life, hippos and crocodiles. It is perfect for couples, families and friends wanting to experience the best of what a safari in the Masai Mara has to offer.
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Governors' Camp Virtual Tour
The camp is located right in the heart of the best game viewing area of the Masai Mara. There are 16 'classic safari tents' (twins and doubles), all facing on to the Mara River. The tents are big, bright and allow in lots of natural light. All the tents have been designed in the classic safari style, each with en-suite bathrooms and a private verandah.
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Drinking Water Filtration System, En Suite Bathroom, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Shower, Verandah
We are delighted to share an early preview of our new family-style accommodation at Governors' Camp (ready by the 1st of June this year). Shaded by riverine forest and offering spectacular views across the open plains, five spacious tents will replace the original eight with enhanced privacy and comfort. Two units are wheelchair friendly, with a ramp and supporting grab rails for guests with mobility challenges.
Each family tent features a (fixed) double bed on one side and a twin on the other, with the option to add a third single bed for larger groups. The twin room can also be converted into a double - perfect for two couples sharing. A central living area seamlessly connects the two bedrooms, while a wide verandah with outdoor furniture ensures you stay close to the action at all times. Please note that the interiors and colour scheme are for guideline purposes only.
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, Drinking Water Filtration System, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, Family Safari Tent, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Safe, Shower, Table, Twin Bed, Verandah, Wheelchair Friendly
Perched on a bend of the Mara River, this is a lovely suite for honeymooners.
One of our classic safari tents has a ramp for wheelchair access and a specially modified bathroom to offer complete assistance. The flooring inside the tent is level, and the tent is spacious enough to manoeuvre a wheelchair around comfortably.
Property Facilities
Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Conference Centre, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Restaurant, Spa, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Verandah, Wheelchair Friendly
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Disability, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Meal on Request, Private Vehicle (Available), Room Service
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Massages, Safaris
Activities Nearby
Animal Encounters, Big 5, Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Safaris, Wildlife Tours
Governors’ Camp properties combine the best locations in the Masai Mara with the best-designed vehicles and exceptionally highly trained and experienced guides to give our clients un-matched game-viewing and photographic opportunities in the world’s prime wildlife area.
We are in the heart of the best game viewing area of the Masai Mara; we take you out twice a day into the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve and surrounding areas. Our driver-guides are hand-picked and nurtured by us. They undergo a continuous guide training scheme mentored by experts in the field. Having operated in the Masai Mara for 50 years, our driver-guides have an un-paralleled knowledge of the reserve combined with a deep understanding and respect for the importance of this wilderness area, its flora and its fauna.
Game drives are included in the accommodation rate.
For those looking for an adventure of a different kind, we suggest a magical hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara.
The adventure begins just before dawn. Departure is from a launch site behind Little Governors’ Camp. Guests assemble at the launch site for a briefing as the flames from the hot air balloon burners light the darkness as the crews inflate their craft. As the dawn breaks, the hot air balloon fills and then rises. Suspended in a basket beneath the rainbow-coloured canopy, you’re off for a wildlife viewing adventure with an entirely different perspective.
What amazes most first-time balloonists is the absolute stillness – the silence as you float above the plains, the forest and the rivers of the Masai Mara.
After about an hour or so, your balloon safari finishes with a flourish. In the time-honoured tradition of balloon flights the world over, toast your return to earth with sparkling wine and enjoy a delicious breakfast that is set up and served at a very special spot. The experience ends with a game drive back to your camp.
There is an extra cost for a hot air balloon safari and the price depends on the time of year.
For a very unique experience, enjoy the excitement of a bush dinner in the wild. You will arrive at a special secluded location on the banks of the Mara river. A welcoming drink awaits by the warming campfire, followed by a delicious meal prepared by our Bush chefs, served under the stars, with the soft lights of safari lanterns and accompanied by the sounds of the African night and the grunting Mara river hippos.
Bush breakfasts and bush lunches are also available. Please try to book bush meals in advance. Costs: bush breakfasts and lunches USD $75 per person, bush dinners USD $92 per person
After your late afternoon game drive, end the day with a 'sundowner' at our very special spot on the banks of the Mara River. Our team will have set up a traditional 'safari bar' ahead of your arrival.
Sundowners are included in the nightly rate but premium drinks are extra.
The Masai people of East Africa are a striking image, synonymous with safari. A proud people with many traditional practices still very much alive in their culture. Visit a local Masai village and learn about who they are in their own words.
Entry to the Maasai village is currently USD $40 per person and is paid directly to the community.
Since the beginning of the 20th Century the cheetah population has fallen dramatically from 100'000 individuals to 7'500 individuals with human activity a major cause. It is therefore important to understand the cheetah-human interface, which is one of the key works of the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project, led by Dr. Elena Chelyseva.
Our Governors' Guides play a critical role in the data collection for Dr. Elena and her team, reporting through sightings and behaviour observations of cheetah spotted. Dr Elena enjoys sharing her expertise on the cheetahs in the area with our guests through talks or by accompanying guests game drives.
Please let us know if you would like to pre-book a talk or a guided game drive with Elena when booking your safari. There is a minimum donation requirement of USD $500 for a presentation in camp.
Visits to our responsible tourism projects can be organised from camp. Mara Rianda Primary School and Mara Rianda Medical Centre are two inspirational projects supported by Governors’ Camps.
There is no extra charge for this activity but donations to any of the projects are welcome.
On arrival at Governors’ Camp, you will notice our numerous little furry friends - the dwarf and banded mongoose - who are well-loved members of our famous "cast of characters"! We wanted to celebrate these entertaining critters by naming our kid’s club after them, so the Governors’ Mongoose Club was formed.
The idea behind this club is to educate and inspire our youngest visitors in ways they would never have access to in their mainstream schooling systems abroad. Game drives are, of course, extraordinary experiences in themselves to be shared with family, but there is so much more for your children to take away from their Kenyan safari.
The activities are designed to be fun and informative; we know these experiences will provide your children with lifetime memories. You, as the parents, can take some well-deserved timeout, enjoy a spa treatment, read a book, or have a siesta while our friendly team keeps your children as entertained and educated as they would like to be, whilst, of course, ensuring their complete safety at all times. Please note that the Mongoose Club is only available at Governors’ Camp.
Included in the accommodation price.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Tea and Coffee Included
Fast Facts
5 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, Swahili
No. Rooms: 24
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife
