Located 90 minutes away from Nairobi by road, Naivasha has long been the place for those seeking to get away from it all. Joy Adamson, author of Born Free made the shores her home, so did Lord Errol and a host of other well-known personalities. At 1880m above sea level, the air is cool, crisp and reinvigorating.
The Naivasha Simba Lodge is situated on the banks of Lake Naivasha, the cleanest lake in the Great Rift Valley. This fresh water lake was once Nairobi’s main landing strip for the luxury Flying Boats that came all the way from London. Travelers would then proceed to Nairobi by bus. It has no known outlet, which is considered a requisite for a fresh water lake!
Ambiance
You will feel your nerves quiet down as soon as you set your eyes on the lodge’s rich, manicured grounds. From here, the Mt Longonot, an extinct volcano, towers behind the lake imparting a soft, purple tinge.
These idyllic grounds upon which the Naivasha Simba is set, together with its countryside look make it the perfect location for conferences, wedding receptions, honeymoons and private retreats.
The world-class lodge has had the pleasure of hosting a number of important international conferences, with the Sudanese Peace Agreement that was attended by 15 heads of states and dignitaries such as Tabo Mbeki, Kofi Annan, Collin Powell and US senators, among them.
Rooms & Services
The lodge consists of 70 superior guest rooms furnished with wrought iron and mahogany furniture and have a step-down sitting area with television. They are clustered in blocks of 10 rooms, with 6 on the ground flour and 4 on the top.
The middle two rooms on the top have interconnecting facilities, making it convenient for those with families. The end rooms on either side of the block also have extra open air showers.
Dining
You will enjoy a variety of tempting dishes ranging from Local to Eastern, Indian and International. You are also invited to make dining an adventure by participating in the preparation of your meals.
There is a wide screen at the lounge if you wish to catch up with the latest sports action, but if disco is the thing for you then you’ll be at home at the Ibis Pub.
Meal times are at the lodges are as follows:
Breakfast is between 7:00am – 9:30am while lunch is served between 12.30pm and 2.30pm in the afternoon. The final meal of the day, dinner, is served between 7.30pm and 9.30pm in the evening.
Facilities
You can simply enjoy yourself and watch the day glide by in the solar heated swimming pool or at the poolside snack bar. Should you need to rejuvenate, there is an elaborate Heath Centre with a fully equipped fitness gym, steam room, sauna room, massage rooms and beauty therapist.
At the beauty therapist, you can treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure, facial and waxing session. You can also work up a sweat at the tennis court or if not too inclined to strenuous activity, enjoy a game or two of pool.
A gift shop provides a selection of books and novels you can read. Here, you can also buy gifts for your loved ones. Children are also catered for, with a baby pool and a baby-sitting service available on request, to ensure that you all enjoy the vacation.
A variety of fun team-building exercises can also be carried out such as Breaking the Barrier, Acid River, Wall Climbing, Free Fall and Rebirth.
If you are planning a picture perfect wedding, our green vast grounds shaded by trees will be just right. We can take care of the decorations and additional flysheet canopies.
Conference rooms
There are five conference rooms, the largest with a maximum capacity of 200 persons. The conference rooms are equipped with projector and white board.
In addition, the larger room has audio facilities. The Business Center with Internet connection is available in case you wish to get some work done or just to check up on things back home.
Outdoor Activities
Nature and Bird Walks – Should be organized by a tour operator
Boat Rides
The hotel offers lake frontage with direct access to private jetty. A sunset cruise by boat will give you breathtaking views and allow you to get closer to the water animals. Fishing is allowed during six months a year and you can catch carp, tilapia and the occasional blackbass.
Take a trip to the Crescent Island and enjoy seeing implala, waterbuck and warthog. You are also likely to make acquaintance with Chatu, the resident python.
Hell’s Gate
Close by is Hell’s Gate National Park, which was named from its giant red cliffs outlining an interior cauldron of bubbling underground steam. The filming location of Tomb Raider II, its cliffs are a haven for rock climbers and a breeding ground for Verreaux’s eagles and Swifts.
Activities that are carried out in the park include cycling, camping picnics and horseback safaris. One can also visit the geothermal power station and see the steam wells.
