Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge

Sopa is well-equipped for all tastes. The main restaurant boasts a live cooking station and buffet, plus a range of Continental, Swahili and Mediterranean dishes made with garden-fresh ingredients and served on the deck when the weather's particularly lovely. There's also a snack kitchen for simpler fare. There are two pools (including a kid's zone) with a bar next door as well as a more intimate space warmed by copper fireplaces for evening drinks. You'll also find a tennis court, gym and gift shop.

The cottages have a storybook design with roofs that curve towards the lake, colourful brickwork, and giant windows. Pathways lead through the garden to the cottages, which house 82 rooms in total (four in each). The rooms on the upper floor have a king-sized bed and private balcony while downstairs, the rooms have two queen beds and sunken living room that opens out to the garden. The decor has an old-fashioned feel but modern amenities include a TV, tea and coffee facilities and minibar.

If you choose to stay a day or two longer at Sopa, you'll find plenty to do. Set sail for the predator-free Crescent Island to spot buffalo, impalas and a plethora of birdlife - and look out for the lake's famous flamingos as you go. Explore the area on foot or on a game drive, or choose to explore nearby Hell's Gate for the day and experience the steamy, stark landscape for yourself. Then again, you may prefer to find a shady spot to recline, read, and watch the resident wildlife amble by.