Interesting things to do from your Naivasha, Elementaita and Nakuru hotel

Interesting things to do from your Naivasha, Elementaita and Nakuru hotel

Don’t just just sit idle at your hotel, you can enjoy the below short trips and Excursions from Naivasha, Elementaita and Nakuru hotel:

1. LAKE ELEMENTAITA SHORE - WALKING SAFARI, GUIDED (1 – 2 hours) Nature trail, view different species of trees and birds. From US$ 10 Per Person.


2. SLEEPING WARRIOR WALKING SAFARI (GUIDED CRATER WALK 3 – 4 HOURS: Climb the extinct volcano, walk half way around the crater rim, viewing different species of trees, birds and other wild animals. From US$ 20 (per person.


3. KILIMA HIKE (GUIDED 3 – 4 HOURS HIKING) START FROM THE LODGE: CLIMB up the hill up to the summit and enjoy a fantastic view of the Rift Valley and Lake Elementaita. From US$ 20 (per person).


4. LAKE NAIVASHA BOAT SAFARI -SELF-DRIVE – NO GUIDE FROM THE LODGE: Enjoy a boat safari with an experienced local guide, spot big families of hippos and a big diversity of flora and fauna (approx. 1 hour) From Approx. From US$ 40 – 50 per boat up to 7 persons.


5. CRESCENT ISLAND WALKING SAFARI -SELF-DRIVE – NO GUIDE FROM THE LODGE: Walk among wild animals (no predators) with a local guide. A part of the movie “Out of Africa” was filmed here. From E.A. Residents KES 1,000 Non-Residents US$ 30.


6. LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK -SELF-DRIVE – NO GUIDE FROM THE LODGE: Known as the “bird watchers paradise”, visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity and varied habitats. Lots of black and white rhinos, buffalos, endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, flamingos and with some luck even lions and leopards can be seen! National Park Fees as per the KWS Tariffs.


7. SOYSAMBU CONSERVANCY -SELF-DRIVE – NO GUIDE FROM THE LODGE: Located on Lake Elementaita (neighboring Sunbird Lodge), Soysambu Conservancy is home to more than 450 bird species and 10,000 mammals of over 50 species including 90+ Rothschild's Giraffe (10% of the world's population of this endangered species). Conservancy Fees as per the Soysambu Tariffs.


8. HELLS GATE NATIONAL PARK (SELF-DRIVE – NO GUIDE FROM THE LODGE: Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers etc. make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa. Hell’s Gate is an ideal venue for a day trip from the Lodge. National Park Fees as per the KWS Tariffs.


9. LONGONOT HIKE -SELF-DRIVE – NO GUIDE FROM THE LODGE: A 3.1 km trail runs from the park entrance up to the crater rim, and continues in a 7.2 km loop encircling the crater. The whole tour (gatearound the rim-gate) of 13.5 km takes about 4 – 5 hours allowing for necessary rest breaks - parts of the trail are heavily eroded and very steep. The gate is around 2150 m and the peak at 2780 m. National Park Fees as per the KWS Tariffs.


10. EXCURSION TO ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK -SELF-DRIVE – NO LODGE GUIDE: Picturesque, steep forested ravines and open moorland characterize the Aberdare National Park. The park provides a habitat for elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs and bushbucks among others. Visitors can indulge in picnics, trout fishing in the rivers and camping in the moorlands. Bird viewing is rewarding, with over 250 species of birds in the park. National Park Fees as per the KWS Tariffs.


11. CAMEL RIDES START WITH LUNCH AT SUNBIRD LODGE: Leave your car parked and ride into the Soysambu Conservancy for 2 nights with camels & camping and finish with lunch at Sunbird Lodge. From KES 27,100 (per person). Conservancy Fees as per the Soysambu Tariffs.


12. Also available is 1 – 2 hours Camel Ride. All Camel Ride fees payable direct to service providers. From KES 2,500 (per person).


13. Horse Riding (Flamingo Soysambu Horse Stables, self-drive – no guide from the Lodge) Enjoy a guided horseback riding along the shore of Lake Elementaita and view birds and other wild animals in a scenic landscape. From Adults: KES 3,500/hour Children: KES 1,750/hour.


14. Kariandusi Prehistoric Site and Museum (self-drive – no Lodge guide) Discover the remains of the early man (homo erectus), stone tools and enjoy a guided nature walk. National Museums of Kenya Tariff.


15. Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site and Museum (self-drive – no Lodge guide) Located within Nakuru town, Hyrax Hill Museum depicts the lifestyle of seasonal settlement by prehistoric people at least 3,000 years old. A small museum was opened here where artifacts from the Hyrax Hill site and other sites in the Central Rift Valley are displayed. National Museums of Kenya Tariffs.


16. Menengai Crater (self-drive – no guide from the Lodge) A massive shield volcano with one of the biggest calderas in the world. It is the largest in Kenya and the second largest Africa. Farmland occupies its flanks. The volcano formed about 200,000 years ago.From Adults KES 600, Children KES 100.


17. Excursion to the Equator (near Subukia) On route to the equator have a short visit at a small tea and coffee plantation. Learn and discover, how tea is harvested and processed. At the equator experience the Coriolis force and if you wish you can purchase an equator certificate.   Tipp: combine with Thomson’s Falls. Self-drive No guide from the Lodge.


18. Excursion to Thomson’s Falls Thomson's Falls is a 74 m scenic waterfall, which drains from the Aberdare Mountain Range. It is situated two miles from the town of Nyahururu, at 2,360 m elevation. Self-drive No guide from the Lodge.


19. Excursion to Lake Bogoria Lake Bogoria is a saline, alkaline lake that lies in a volcanic region south of Lake Baringo, a bit north of the equator and is home at times to one of the world's largest populations of lesser flamingos. Self-drive No guide from the Lodge.


20. Excursion to Lake Baringo Lake Baringo is, after Lake Turkana, the most northern of the Kenyan Rift Valley lakes, with a surface area of about 130 square kilometers and an elevation of about 970 meters. The lake is fed by several rivers and has no obvious outlet. The waters are assumed to seep through lake sediments into the faulted volcanic bedrock. It is one of the two freshwater lakes in the Rift Valley, the other being Lake Naivasha. It lies off the beaten track in a hot and dusty setting and over 470 species of birds have been recorded there, occasionally including migrating flamingos. Self-drive No guide from the Lodge.


21. Lake Oloiden:This is one of the least popular tourist attraction sites around Naivasha, the most striking feature at Oloiden is its Flamingoes. Oloiden is also home to Kenya’s largest flower farms, tourist visiting this place can enjoy a boat ride and camp at OLoiden Camping Site a serene escape.


22. Crater Lake: The Crater Lake is a green soda lake at the bottom of an extinct volcano on the western side of Lake Naivasha and north of the village of Kongoni, it is located 10 kilometers from Naivasha town and about 90 km from Nairobi. This Lake lies within a private game sanctuary with spectacular green water. The lake attracts many flamingo, and the surrounding forests and plains have plenty of game (birds, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and elands.). It is a good place to explore on foot as it has nature trails the vegetation around the crater.


23. Mount Longonot: About 90km from Kenya’s Capital Nairobi and 28km from Naivasha Town, Mount Longonot is one place you wouldn’t want to miss on your visit to Naivasha. Mt. Longonot is one of the places you see when driving into the Great Rift Valley as it rises from the floor of the Rift Valley and provides great views all the way to the famous Lake Naivasha. One unique feature about this mountain is the thick forest that lies within the crater of the Mountain. While here tourists can enjoy game viewing such as buffaloes, elands, lion, leopard, bushbucks, common zebra, giraffe and Grant’s gazelles.


24. Lake Elementaita: Elementaita is derived from the Maasai name “Muteita” meaning dusty place. This soda lake is located in Gilgil town between Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha. This lake is popular for its hot springs and birdlife, it is also home to a sizable population of flamingoes. The reed beds near the lake are fishing grounds for night herons and pelicans. A popular tourist destination near this lake is the kariandusi Museum.


25. Ol Karia: Olkaria is located to the south of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley right at the heart of Hell’s gate National Park. It is popular for its geothermal spa which offers recreational and therapeutic swimming with its Blue Lagoons with naturally heated water, the pools have water with temperatures ranging from 30°c to 40°c. It is the first of its kind in Africa. This is the ultimate destination for revelers, away from the hustle and bustles of the city. The breath-taking scenery creates a memorable experience.


26. Kigio Wildlife Conservancy. Kigio is wildlife conservancy center protected by the local community. It is located near Gilgil in the Great Rif Valley. This conservancy center contains diverse habitat of indigenous plant species, it is also home to over three hundred bird species including what is said to be the world’s largest population of grey-crested helmetshrikes. Besides the birds and plants, this is one place that hosts several wildlife including African buffalo, common eland, impala, waterbuck, hippopotamus, caracal, and other species of gazelle.


27. Sanctuary Horseback Safaris: This is a 500 acre spot located on the shores of the fresh water Lake Naivasha. Sanctuary Farm is the perfect place to use as a base for climbing Mt Longonot, rock climbing & gorge walking in Hell’s Gate, game viewing in Nakuru National Park. While at this farm tourist can relax around the beautiful swimming pool and watch game grazing. Activities such as horse riding, bird watching, and cycling are on site. It is a perfect getaway from the hustle and tassel of the city life.

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Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is located in Loitoktok District, Rift Valley Province of Kenya. The park is 39,206 hectares (392 km2; 151 sq. mi) in size at the core of an 8,000 square kilometres (3,100 sq. mi) ecosystem that spreads across the Kenya-Tanzania border. The park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants among other wildlife species. Other attraction of the park includes opportunities to meet the Maasai people and also offers spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. In Amboseli’s case it is big skies and far horizons combined with swampy springs and dry and dusty earth trampled by hundreds of animals. Amboseli has an endless underground water supply filtered through thousands of feet of volcanic rock from Kilimanjaro’s ice cap, which funnel into two clear water springs in the heart of the park. However, the climatic pendulum can swing from drought to flood, and in the early 1990’s ceaseless rain changed Amboseli into a swamp. A few years later the rains failed and the grass-covered plains turned to dust.

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Chale Island-Diani

A stunning white beach fringed by coral reefs and a tidal saltwater lake surrounded by a mangrove forest.

A diverse mixture of indigenous and tropical Flora that attracts a wide variety of fascinating insect and primate life.

All this combined with the loving care of our Kenyan staff will make your holiday on Chale Island intriguing, relaxing and warmly memorable.

The Hotel

Specifically built with nature and the environment in mind, The Sands at Chale Island is one of the most low impact hotels in Kenya.

Spread out to offer the utmost in privacy and romance, even when at full capacity one has a tremendous feeling of peace, tranquility and seclusion.

The combination of white beach, tropical plants, laid back island flair and Kenyan hospitality is what dreams are made of.

Pools

There are three swimming pools on Chale Island.

Beside the reception is the main fresh water swimming pool, built with local stone and connected by a small waterfall to a sixteen seater Jacuzzi. Plentiful sun beds are scattered around the generous pool surround.

Located between the Standard Rooms is another swimming pool area with pool bar and sun beds. Enjoy the tranquility and relax with magnificent panorama views on the Indian Ocean.

On the other side of the Island by the SPA and fitness area is a salt-water swimming pool with steps leading directly into the sea at high tide offering a magical swim through the mangroves to the main jetty.

Environment

Every effort has been made to keep the natural vegetation of the Island intact.

All gardens and imported plants are carefully integrated into the Island’s original flora with an aim at increasing the indigenous wildlife.

Reception

The spacious circular reception area, with its lofty roof is where you will be welcomed by our friendly reception team.

Caressed by the gentle breeze from the Indian Ocean and with a stunning view of the beach, our welcome drink and laid back check-in will set the pace for the rest of your holiday.

Guest Services

In addition to all-standard hotel services our guest relation’s team can also arrange safaris to any of Kenya’s world class National parks.

What better way to crown your holiday than with a flying safari to the renowned Masai Mara to see the big five in their natural habitat.

Structures

Chale Island is a contemporary mix of Swahili structures, Italian stucco, Lamu furniture, objects of African art and varnished Mahogany.

Great care has been taken not only to preserve the natural environment of the island, but also to give a truly Kenyan feel by only using natural Kenyan products.

All buildings are constructed with locally quarried coral blocks and are roofed with high, palm leaf “Makuti” thatch. Internal walls are finished with Kenyan made Italian “stucco Venezziano” in hues of pale pink and blue.

The aim was and is “the buildings should be elegant but not luxurious, blending into the natural environment and reflecting the traditional architecture with a minimum four star standard”.

Accommodation

The Sands at Chale Island offers six categories of accommodation to suit all tastes and demands, while always fulfilling the philosophy of “the buildings should be elegant but not luxurious, blending into the natural environment and reflecting the traditional architecture with a minimum four star standard”

All rooms are fully air-conditioned.

Standard Rooms

Carefully set into the natural environment, the main buildings with 28 spacious semi-circular en-suite rooms and Swahili day beds set on breezy verandas facing the ocean ensure all comforts are taken care of.

Bandas

Two different categories of Bandas (Swahili: small house) offer a unique and truly coastal holiday.

All Bandas have high, palm thatch roofs with views either out to sea, over the beach, or panoramas encompassing lagoon, channel, mangroves and the setting sun over the Shimba Hills. Sun beds set on private front lawns and large verandas with Swahili day beds give relaxing views.

The Superior Bandas have the addition of large sliding glass doors that open the bathroom directly into the private rear garden with an open air shower.

 Penthouse Suites

Set well above the swaying treetops these suites offer breathtaking views of both ocean and island.

Featuring a separate sitting room, a veranda with a stunning 270 degree view of the ocean and an upstairs grotto with a Jacuzzi on the roof facing the sunset, the penthouse suites will give you the ultimate all round island view.

 Overwater Suite

A first of their kind in Kenya, the Water Bandas are located on the northwest of the island with stunning views of Bird Island, Gazi Bay and, in the distant sunset, the Shimba Hills.

The suite has a large bedroom with an en-suite bathroom which looks out over the channel and a separate sitting room.

Suite on the Rocks

Not only a honeymooners dream, everyone’s dream!

Situated on a separate islet connected to the main Island by a stone bridge, a thatched roof soars high above the circular construction, then plunges down in the middle allowing rainwater to fall directly into a mini garden in the center of the room. A circular stairway leads one around an intricately crafted wall garden to an upstairs lounge, while the front veranda overlooks a private Jacuzzi on the cliff face and sunbathing deck.

Extravagant opulence at its peak!

Wine & Dine

A blend of traditional Kenyan cuisine with a healthy twist of Italian panache and a hint of the Orient ensure that each meal is an event to be looked forwards to and enjoyed.

This, coupled to an extensive international beverage menu with a local taste of the exotic, and a well stocked wine cellar will complete your dream holiday.

With a selection of bars and restaurants to choose from, let us indulge you to the full.

Main Restaurant

With steps leading straight down to the center of the beach, the main restaurant is ideally situated to give the true island feeling.

Our expert team of highly trained cooks lead by Chef Evans will make sure that every meal is a pleasure.

With a strong emphasis on seafood, the live grilling station and Pasta corner ensure that your meal cannot be any fresher.

Traditional Kenyan cuisine, mixed with both Italian and Oriental dishes, will not leave you wanting in any aspect.

A la Carte

The “Katika Ziwa” (in the middle of the lake) seafood restaurant offers a culinary adventure that must not be missed.

Set in the magical surroundings of the inland lake this intimately cozy restaurant will enchant you from the start of your romantic evening leaving you contentedly sated and bewitched by the end of the five course menu.

Definitely an experience not to be missed!

Bars

Our friendly staff are at hand to serve Espressos, cold drinks, cocktails and a wide variety of wines and spirits at our bars.

Nestled between the Reception and the Restaurant is the Main Bar, always open.

The Galana pool bar is located by the Standard Rooms in unique tranquillity with stunning ocean vistas … Champagne always tastes better with a view of the ocean!

Tea Time

An essential part of the Chale Island day, offering a stunning selection of tea while one quietly contemplates the passing of Island life, and the daily pleasures afforded by nature.

Activities

Unlike most other island destinations, Chale Island has something to offer everyone.

Normal island activities available include a magical SPA, a well equipped watersports center and a selection of boat excursions.

From Chale Island we can also offer you trips to Diani Beach Shopping Center and the famous Nomad Beach Bar, or for the more adventurous a wide range of safaris.

Diving

Based on the island with its own fleet of boats, “Diving The Crab” is a world-renowned PADI and SSI center.

Daily one or two tank dive excursions go to a selection of dive sites both to the north and south of the island.

Shallow coral reefs dropping to depths of 30 meters abound with marine life and the added highlight of frequent Whale shark sightings from November to February make this a diver’s paradise.

Watersports

Offered from Diving the Crab a wide range of watersports are available on a daily program, these include:

Beach snorkeling,

Boat snorkeling,

Glass bottom boat,

Kayaking,

Game fishing (half and full day),

Local Catamaran sailing.

Shopping

Two small but well stocked boutiques offer a wide selection of clothing, souvenirs, African art, jewellery, swimwear and toiletries.

We also have local wood carvers at the beach who can produce customized carvings to order.

Shopping trips to nearby Diani Beach are also arranged on a weekly basis.

Spa & Fitness

The “Maisha Poa” (Swahili: good life) Spa and wellness center is built over the heart of the Island where the energies of the ancient mangroves, the tidal lake, the coral caves and the gentle breeze all cumulate to provide the perfect ambient in which to relax.

Nine open-air treatment rooms situated over the lake offer a wide range of treatments to pamper and re-energize you.

The fitness room is situated next to the Spa overlooking the saltwater pool. This open sided room is equipped with cardio machines and weights.

Excursions

With the ideal geographical location of Chale Island a huge variety of boat excursions are offered weekly.

Twelve kilometers to the North of the Island lies Diani Beach (ranked as the fifth best beach in the world).

Twenty kilometers to the South is Kenya’s top marine reserve, Wasini. Full day trips with fantastic snorkeling and regular sightings of Dolphins are arranged either weekly or on demand.

Two kilometers to the West of the Island, a local fishing village, Gazi, is bordered by mangrove swamps to one side and a coconut plantation to the other. Excursions to Gazi allow one a glimpse of traditional Kenyan life, an inspection of the mangroves either on the women’s community boardwalk or by Kayak, or a stunning sunset trip in the bay.

 

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Lake Nakuru National Park

The park lies in Central Kenya, 140km north-west of Nairobi, in Nakuru district of the Rift Valley Province. The ecosystem comprises of the lake, surrounded by mainly wooded and bushy grasslands. The park supports a wide ecological diversity with Flamingos (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds being the major attractions of the area. The ecosystem provides for about 56 different species of mammals including the white rhino and buffaloes and a variety of terrestrial birds numbering nearly 450 species.

Bus Hire Services

The buses can also be hired to other neighbouring national parks and Nairobi.

      Destinations 

Lake Nakuru National park	1000
Nakuru to Soysambu/Gilgi	15000
Hell’s Gate /Longonot National Park	18000, 20000
Lake Bogoria/Lake Baringo	25000
Nairobi National Park /Animal Orphanage/Giraffee Center/National Museum	35000

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