Elsamere

Home of Elsa the lion (Born Free), this conservation Centre was established in 1963 In memory of Elsa from the book and film "Born Free". It has well designed accommodation and serves an excellent afternoon tea on the lawns of the Centre, next to the lake.

The house is full of interesting photos, paintings and artifacts of Elsa the lion who was raised from a cub by George and Joy Adamson. Later, she was released into the wild and became famous after Joy Adamson published her famous book "Born Free". Joy Adamson's wonderful paintings of Kenyan Tribes people, and observations of birds and flowers fill the house.

Elsamere Rooms

The accommodation is simple, bright and attractive, having 3 cottages which can accommodate between 15-18 guests. Each cottage has a veranda overlooking the lake. Alternatively, you can stay in the main house in the Joy Adamson bedroom.

Elsamere Restaurants & Bars

Mealtimes for guests are sociable occasions, with guests all eating together around long tables. The food is simple but tasty.

The Centre attracts people who come for an elaborate buffet lunch or afternoon tea and to see the house and grounds.

Elsamere Facilities

Boat trips are arranged from Elsamere, and it's possible to go on nature walks in and around the this beautifully positioned house where black and white colobus monkeys are regularly seen frolicking about in the acacia trees that line the shoreline of the lake, and where hornbills swoop noisily from tree to tree.

All in all, this is well worth the visit whether it be an overnight stay or a quick visit.

AREA INFO : NAIVASHA:

What's special about Naivasha?

Only an hours drive from Nairobi, Naivasha conjures up images of the 1940's Happy Valley set where the colonial upper classes were famous for living decadent lives, wife swapping, hunting and throwing wild parties.

Today, Naivasha still has quite a large white Kenyan community, and because of its close proximity to Nairobi (only about an hour away), is a popular destination for ex-pats and tourists who come here for weekends away. The yellow fever trees line the shoreline and this attractive part of Kenya is a good place to be close to nature.

Flower Farms

The freshwater lake is home to a large number of hippos and birdlife. It's also a centre for many large flower farms who use water from the lake for irrigation. This has been controversial over resent years due to low levels of water in the lake which ahs been blamed on the flower farms in the locality.

Things to do, in and around Naivasha

There are various outings and things to do here, including a visit to Crescent Island where you can walk in safety among wild but non dangerous animals, visit Elementaita weavers, climb Mount Longanot, visit the geothermal Project In Hells Gate National Park, visit the Elsamere conservation centre or take a boat ride on the lake.

The range of accommodation in and around Naivasha ranges from swanky 5 star hotels to self catering cottages or even a private ranch with it's own airstrip.

Hells Gate National Park

For those with an interest in geological formations, this is a wonderful place to visit. Soaring red cliffs, volcanic landforms, grasslands with game and a deep gorge where visitors can walk and climb. Many people camp here as a cheaper alternative to staying in a hotel.