Crackling fireplaces, organic home cooked meals, welcoming staff and a view that stretches out from the lush green lawn across the freshwater lake to an extinct volcano beyond are just some of the magical aspects that will complete any stay here; whilst visiting buffalo, hippo and impala are unexpected added bonuses.
Tea with stunning views at Loldia House
Many of our guests opt to take it easy and read a book in one of the swing chairs that dangle from the boughs of one of the ancient fig trees or play a game of croquet down on the front lawn.
Croquet on the lawn at Loldia House
Others take a leisurely early morning boat ride with a flask of hot tea and freshly baked biscuits along the papyrus lined lake shore looking out for wading birds and hippos in the shallows or nesting Fish Eagles up in the treetops. However, there are so many other wonderful activities that we offer our guests that allow them to really take in the beauty and diversity of the Great Rift Valley.
Bird watching, Lake Naivasha
Lake Elementaita is one such destination that we encourage guests to take a morning to explore. Your day starts early, before dawn, with a pot of hot tea or coffee brought to your room as a wake-up call.
A beautiful sunrise at Lake Elementeita
After layering up with warm clothes you then head off on an hour’s drive northwards. Have your camera ready for some stunning photo opportunities as you arrive at the white-washed shore of this alkaline lake for sunrise. Lesser and Greater Flamingos begin their chatter like calls as they dip their peculiar hooked-shaped bills into the water to feed.
Flamingoes feeding at Lake Elementeita, photo credit Alisa Bowen
Great White & Pink-backed Pelicans take flight as you approach the water while little black and white Pied Avocet’s stand their ground on stilt-like legs in the shallows. Grey-headed Gulls, African Spoonbills and Egyptian Geese are just a few of the other bird species that call this UNESCO world heritage site their home.
Pied Avocets at Lake Elementeita, photo credit Alisa Bowen
Along with Lakes Nakuru and Bogoria (which are collectively referred to as the “Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley”) this important region is home to 13 globally threatened bird species and some of the highest bird diversities in the world. It is the single most important foraging site for the lesser flamingo anywhere (with up to 4 million Lesser Flamingos moving between the three shallow lakes in an outstanding wildlife spectacle), as well as providing a major nesting and breeding ground for great white pelicans.
Pelicans at Lake Elementeita, photo credit Alisa Bowen
Lake Elementaita also features sizeable mammal populations, including the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe which are thriving here.
Rosthchild’s Giraffe on the shores of Lake Elementeita, photo credit Alisa Bowen
Loldia House: a trip to Lake Elementeita ~ written by Alisa Bowen
