Wild animals roam lush gardens surrounding this Lake Naivasha lodge, the former home of conservationists Joy and George Adamson. Flame trees bloom in brilliant colors, while troops of colobus monkeys can often be spotted on the lawn. Elsamere is also a popular stop on day trips from Nairobi, and overnight stays are an option.
Day visitors can check out exhibits on the Adamsons' work in a small on-site museum—the conservationist couple is best known for raising Elsa the lion, a story that became the movie Born Free. Other activities include bird- and hippo-watching boat trips on Lake Naivasha and high tea served outdoors on a lawn where monkeys come to play. Tours of Elsamere are sometimes combined with trips to nearby Lake Naivasha National Park, which is home to hippos, zebra, giraffes, and many other wildlife species.
This is a great stop for bird lovers. More than 200 bird species have been documented on the grounds of Elsamere.
Malaria is present in the Lake Naivasha area, so it’s a good idea to bring both mosquito repellent and protective clothing.
Some rooms at Elsamere are wheelchair accessible.
Elsamere is located on South Lake Road, on the southern edge of Lake Naivasha. The lodge is 71 miles (115 kilometers) from Nairobi, a roughly 3-hour drive. Chaotic traffic in Nairobi can make driving a challenge for visitors, but most tours include round-trip transportation. In addition, some offer pickup and drop-off at your hotel, which can cut down on time in transit.
The most popular time to visit Lake Naivasha is from June through October, when you’re likely to encounter dry, hot weather. Since water is limited during this time of year, it’s often easier to spot animals—the grass is short and animals gather around watering holes to drink. The rainier months of November through May have beautiful, dust-free skies and fewer crowds. At this time, you have the chance to see greater numbers of migratory birds and newborn mammals.
Wildlife in Kenya persists in part thanks to efforts by people and organizations across the country; learning about their work can be an inspiring part of a trip here. Two key spots are in the city of Nairobi itself. An elephant orphanage at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust tends to animals rescued from poachers and other threats. A short distance away is the Giraffe Centre, founded to protect endangered Rothschild’s giraffes, which live only in East Africa.