Olerai House

The refurbished farmhouse is full of colour and easy charm; in fact, you'll feel like a guest in someone's home. The dining room and lounges feel more functional than fancy, though they're full of brightly woven rugs and pretty florals. Outside, a vine-covered courtyard offers a peaceful nook to sit and relax, with several deck chairs and a swinging bench. The lush and expansive gardens stretching down to the lake have tons of picnic spots, scattered with tables and chairs, pillows and cushions, and an outdoor fireplace amongst the trees. Food prepared at Olerai House is mostly farmed on-site, and you're welcome to explore the gardens or even help with picking your day's fare. The pool is not only a lovely spot to cool off, but also for getting up-close-and-personal with the resident zebras, who seem to love grazing here.

Homestead lifestyle is all about relaxing, but for the adventure-driven there's plenty to see and do in the surrounds. Walk through the sanctuary with a guide (be aware there are buffalo and hippos around), or hike the ridge behind Olerai for spectacular views. If you really want to climb, get the lodge to arrange a day trip to Mount Longonot, a beautiful, dormant stratovolcano that stands over 9000 feet high. Scenic flights through the Rift Valley, horse-riding at a nearby farm, golf, and tours of local villages and industrial flower farms prominent in this region can all be arranged through the lodge. Go mountain biking in Hell’s Gate National Park, take a motorboat to Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha with its 450 species of birds, or visit Lake Oloidien in search of pink flamingos. Most activities are at extra cost.