Attractions in Nakuru County
12. Naivasha Yacht Club
This is found at the eastern edge of Crescent Island Game Sanctuary on the area known as Lotus Island. Naivasha Yatch Club has for many decades run a sailing program, dating back to 1939, that encourages yacht racing by the promotion of regattas. A members-only club supporting the tradition of promoting sailing as a sport, it hosts a racing event every month. The star attractions here are sailing on the lagoon at Crescent Island and the clubhouse set on a hill and engulfed by water on all-sides offering wondrous views. It has a lounge, bar and kitchen too.
13. Sanctuary Farm
The 400-acres family-managed dairy farm and wildlife conservancy butting up against Crescent Island Game Sanctuary with sights of Lake Naivasha has been an adventure haven for the better part of forty years. Originally owned by the Erskines family who were very passionate about horse-riding, its tradition as a horse-stud is to date one of the farm’s biggest trump cards on a very impressive list of to-do’s. Its 10-rooms accommodation is a uniquely converted stable yard designed with modern rooms. All rooms have private bathrooms and verandah overlooking the farm roamed by lots of wildlife and a gaudy of birds. Sanctuary Farm is the perfect jumping off place for hiking Mount Longonot, rock climbing and gorge walking at Hell’s Gate National Park, boating on Lake Naivasha and game viewing at Lake Nakuru National Park. It is found along South Lake Road.
14. Acacia Campsite at Sanctuary Farm
A number of pleasant camping sites are situated along the eastern shore of Lake Naivasha, most with toilets and water points. The Acacia Campsite at Sanctuary Farm along Moi South Lake Road is available to the public with flush toilet and shower, refuse disposal and also incorporates the game viewing and expeditions at Sanctuary Farm. “I zipped open my tent and was greeted by a most peculiar scene. Beyond the rickety bamboo fence that encompassed the camping site, a podgy pig nuzzled up to a pair of tall grey horses. In an adjacent field, a handful of zebras and wildebeest grunted and grazed, and on the edge of the acacias a motionless giraffe stood camouflaged in the dappled light. The pig, I found out, is called Henrietta, and she was doing her morning rounds on Sanctuary Farm” – Jan Foxx. For further information, contact – info@sanctuaryfarmkenya.com
15. Kedong Ranch
Sometimes cited as Longonot Ranch, the 75,000-acres Kedong Ranch offers a bonny zen to begin or renew your romance with nature walking and absorbing the other-wordly, lurched rock setting of Njorowa Gorge which travels over the property. The cottage, to rest and unwind after a lively afternoon’s walk, boasts of a full span glass wall overlooking the charming view of Lake Naivasha that is worth its value for money at sunset. Kedong also practices mixed ranching and farming, especially horticulture and livestock rearing. Quite an impressive array of game can be seen like duiker, gazelle, ostrich and zebra. It is a vital wildlife migratory zone aptly linking Hell’s Gate and Mount Longonot National Parks. The cozy 5 bedroom Kiira House with a blissful pool overlooking Mt. Longonot and Lake Naivasha offers a restful abode for overnight guests. Kedong Ranch is located about 2.5 kms from the turnoff to Moi South Lake Road, near Naivasha.
16. Hell’s Gate National Park
Just 10 kms from the turnoff to Moi South Lake Road the first of two entrances to the favoured Hell’s Gate National Park is reached along Gorge Road. The 68 km2 park, more proper the Njorowa Gorge, typified by sheer faces carved from sheets and plugs with steep and deeply incised stratified rock faces and steam-jets, is a most picturesque place. On arrival, Fischer’s Tower at the northern end of the Njorowa Gorge, from which Stone Age man hewed blocks for the making of his obsidian implements, is one of the parks memorable landmarks. Some of the most impressive features of the Njorowa Gorge are two lava plugs known as Fischer’s Tower and The Horse or El Barta (its original Maasai name). Fischer’s Tower is roughly conical, terminating in a point, while the El Barta is cylindrical with a blunt rounded crest. Other notable geological features include Hobley’s volcano and the dandy column cliffs at the northern edge of the Njorowa Gorge. Most notable as the only park in Kenya where callers may opt to walk, ride, hike or drive, it offers quite a lot of thrilling activities. Quite popular is trekking the alluring Njorowa Gorge that runs across the park. Here, the fine-textured gorge wall aiming for the south-end alters colour from purplish, maroon and reddish brown. The reddish colour is due to erosional oxidation hastened by the large surface areas of these porous rocks. Other interests include the Obsidian Caves, Central Tower, Hell’s Gate Viewpoint, Observatory Tower, Mervyn Carnelley’s Raptor Hide and wildlife viewing. There are three camping grounds in the park: Endachata Campsite, Naiburta Campsite and Oldubai Campsite. The popular Ol Karia Geothermal Spa is located on the western end of the Hell’s Gate National Park at KenGen Olkaria Geothermal Plant II. It is easier to get here through the Olkaria Route located 20 kms from the turnoff to Moi South Lake Road, passing Fisherman’s Camp, the Elsamere Nature Reserve and the Oserian Flower Farm.
17. Olkaria Geothermal Spa
The earliest description of steam-jets in the Naivasha area was recorded by G. A. Fischer in 1885. On his survey of Njorowa Gorge he discovered large jets and collected a sample of condensed steam for analysis. While the presence of the steam-jets was undoubtedly known to a number of early travellers, settlers and administrative officials, they aroused little comment until Gregory’s account in 1921. These steam-jets were mainly concentrated in two areas: the one north of Lake Naivasha on the eastern and northern slopes of Eburru Mountains and the other in the Olkaria-Njorowa area south of the lake. In 1972, the Government of Kenya concerned about the strained action capabilities of hydroelectric power granted licenses for geothermal resources devilment. Up until 2014 the use of geothermal energy at Olkaria-Njorowa was “restricted” to electricity generation. Then, at a cost of $286,000 and set within Hell’s Gate National Park Ol Karia Geothermal Spa became a rare treat as visitors soak in warm brine with pristine views of the wild Africa. It is one of those rare destinations that brings together man, wildlife and machine in a perfect harmony. Soaking in the balmy waters from hot-springs may not be a novel idea but few places have refined the idea to the scale of Olkaria. The set-up is fantastic, and the location priceless. There are three cascading lagoons. These lagoons receive geothermal brine, collected in a system of lagged pipes from various wells within the Olkaria Geothermal Fields in a layout that is focused on making the spa a fun and safe activity. There is a cafe catering to guests visiting the spa. Charges applicable: Accessing the Hell’s Gate National Park (Citizens-350, Residents-700 and Non-Residents-USD 30), and accessing the Olkaria Spa is 400 per person. It is accessed via Olkaria Gate.
Today geothermal energy accounts for 13% of Kenya’s installed electricity capacity, a statistic the government is determined to change. The country certainly needs to adapt to the shifting economies of electricity generation. KenGen
Abiri Kenya 