Loldia House: A Colonial Farmhouse on Lake Naivasha
GetTripGo Travel Desk · Lake Naivasha
Loldia House sits on a working farm on the shores of Lake Naivasha, a characterful colonial-era farmhouse that offers a completely different rhythm from a classic tented safari camp — closer to staying in a family home with deep roots in the land than a purpose-built lodge.
Quick Facts
- Location: Lake Naivasha, within Kenya's Great Rift Valley, roughly a two-hour drive from Nairobi.
- Style: A colonial-era farmhouse on a working farm, with a lived-in, family-home character.
- Setting: Lakeshore location with farmland, giving a different landscape and pace than a savannah safari camp.
- Best for: Travelers looking for a change of pace mid-trip, or a base for lake-based activities.
A Working Farm, Not Just a Lodge
Loldia House is genuinely part of a working farm rather than a property built purely for tourism, which gives it a distinctly different character from most safari accommodation. The farmhouse itself carries the character of its colonial-era construction — comfortable, characterful rooms rather than a designed hotel aesthetic, with the kind of lived-in charm that comes from a house that's actually been a home for generations.
That working-farm setting also means the surrounding landscape is genuinely mixed — farmland, indigenous forest, and lakeshore — offering a visual and experiential change of pace from the open savannah most travelers associate with a Kenya safari.
Life on Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater Rift Valley lake known for its resident hippo population, rich birdlife, and boat safari opportunities — a different wildlife experience from the predator-and-plains-game focus of most safari itineraries. Staying at Loldia House puts guests directly on the lakeshore, with easy access to boat trips for viewing hippos and birds from the water, as well as fishing and horseback riding options on the farm's own land.
The lake and surrounding area are also a well-known birdwatching destination, with a wide range of resident and migratory species drawn to the water and surrounding habitat — a strong stop for travelers building a Kenya trip with birding specifically in mind.
A Good Fit for a Trip's Rhythm
Many travelers use a stay at Loldia House, or Lake Naivasha more broadly, as a gentle transition point on a longer Kenya itinerary — a lower-key stop between the more intensive game drive schedules of Mara or Amboseli-based camps. The lake's relative proximity to Nairobi (roughly a two-hour drive) also makes it a practical stop early or late in a trip without requiring an internal flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Loldia House located?
On the shores of Lake Naivasha in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, roughly a two-hour drive from Nairobi.
What makes Loldia House different from a typical safari camp?
It's part of a genuine working farm with a colonial-era farmhouse character, rather than a purpose-built lodge, set on lakeshore and farmland rather than open savannah.
What activities are available at Lake Naivasha?
Boat safaris for hippo and bird viewing, fishing, horseback riding, and general birdwatching across the lake's rich surrounding habitat.
Is Lake Naivasha a good stop to combine with a Mara safari?
Yes — many travelers use it as a lower-key transition stop early or late in a Kenya itinerary, given its proximity to Nairobi and different pace from a game-drive-heavy schedule.