The Best Lodge for Family in Lake Naivasha, Kenya.

Kiangazi House, in my view, is simply the most ideal lodge in Naivasha if you’re travelling with kids. With a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, endless interesting and unique activities around both Lakes Oloidien and Naivasha, it is even perfect if you’re mad enough to travel with toddlers!

We set off for our adventure in order to arrive at Kiangazi on a Saturday morning. After Kenya’s testing display of driving and traffic-jams, we arrived to peace, calm, cool Kiangazi, with the biggest smiles you ever did see!

It really is a little gem. A beautiful 7-bedroom old ranch-style house (some rooms in the house, some are external cottages) with panoramic views across a green lawn, heavily populated waterhole (warthog, eland, zebra and impala), over Lake Oloidien and into the blue hills in the distance.

We could go here on every holiday. The place is peaceful and beautiful. The staff are simply incredible, they aren’t over the top, but nothing seems too much. The food is extremely tasty, home-cooked fare… and the activities, the activities, the fun was all about to begin.

Their swimming pool, I mean ‘oasis’ is something for a toddler to explore within, not just swim in. The lawns are rolling and perfect to exhaust the over-energetic.

The game drive / sundowner / kids supper expedition is unforgettable; all piled up high on top of the 4×4  with Bernard, the most calming, interesting and informative guide, off we went to explore Oserengoni, our very own wildlife sanctuary (OK we’re sharing it with one other tiny lodge, Chui Lodge).  This sanctuary was created in the 90’s with the sole purpose of giving the resident wildlife a place of safety as the flower farms & population increased. The first animal we saw, can you believe it was a Zonkey (work that out!). We then saw endless warthog with hundreds of the sweetest little piglets, eland, impala, bush buck, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest… a surprise ‘sundowner’ met as equipped with marshmallows ready to BBQ, amazing kids supper, the most delicious ‘bitings’ and much needed glass of wine. All this merriment were followed by an exciting night game drive back to a rosepetal bath!!

An activity not to miss is the crisp morning drive to the lake shore, followed by a lovely refreshing walk along the shore where you discover a fabulous bush breakfast (fresh fruit, pancakes, donuts, omelettes, piping hot coffee … mmm) all being prepared for you by the lake by the smiling chef. After we were sufficiently full, we were whisked off on my favourite drive by the lake, under all the Yellow Fever trees, again full of plains game and then to our boat. What an interesting hour, along the shores of Lake Naivasha full of beautiful vegetation, fisherman hard at work, the Colobus monkeys lolling around in the morning sun and general life on the lake… pheow, what a morning!

Time to leave already. We didn’t have time to visit the Oserian flower farm, but its always good to leave something for next time!

Oh … I forgot to say, we were given two beautiful bunches of roses on our departure …. how’s that for delicious!

Practicalities

Kiangazi House – I love it, we loved it. It is a great fun place for adults and children of all ages.
Lake Naivasha, Great Rift Valley, Kenya – It is important to spend time on a lake in the Great Rift Valley and with the added bonus of a private sanctuary and the flower farm, this is up there.
For those travelling to Kenya with kids – If you are looking for privacy and the finer things, whilst being comfy, I highly recommend you spend some time here.
Weather – The weather was beautiful with clear, warm days when we were here in January 2017.  January is generally warm in the days and chilly’ish at night. The hottest month in Naivasha is usually December. The wettest month is usually April.
What to Pack? – Shorts for the day with a shirt, a jumper and jacket, trousers and jumpers for the evening …. and swimming costumes for the brave and lots of suncream.
Price – The rates are currently USD240 which includes full board accommodation in this lovely personal house and all these amazing activities. For rates or to book, please contact me.
My advise – Spoil yourselves, stay here, it is a really great place, it’s comfortable with children of all ages and you will dream of being back there afterwards. If you want a reduced rate, contact me.