Today, we hired a small car with a driver (half day 2000 KES) to explore the surroundings of Lake Naivasha and Lake Oloiden. Lake Naivasha, hugged by grassy banks and shingled with cacti and sand olive trees, is the Rift Valley’s highest lake (1884m above sea level). You can hire a boat (2600 KES/hour) to visit hippos on the lake or relax in the garden at Elsamere, the former home of late Born Free personality Joy Adamson. Lake Oloiden, famous for flocks of flamingos, used to be connected to Lake Naivasha (perhaps 50 years ago), but now it become separated. So, its salinity can be greater than Lake Naivasha.
After exploration, we had dinner in Matteos, a lovely Italian restaurant (Pizza Prosciutto e Funghi – 1500 KES, Pizza Quattro Formaggi – 1800 KES, Sparkling water – 1 l / 450 KES, Tiramisu – 650 KES, Negroni cocktail – 1000 KES) located 11 kilometers from our parking at the Elsa Gate (a return trip by car 1000 KES).
Parking location – Elsa Gate: 0.852239S 36.368957E (🅿️,🚻,💦)