Loldia House

Loldia House lies on the northern shores of Lake Naivasha within one of the most scenic parts of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley.

The property occupies a historic family farm that has been carefully restored into an elegant country house overlooking the lake. Wide lawns stretch toward the water, while acacia woodland surrounds the estate.

Because of its peaceful lakeside setting, Loldia House offers a very different atmosphere from the larger safari lodges found elsewhere in Kenya.

Landscape & Setting

Lake Naivasha sits within a freshwater basin surrounded by volcanic hills and acacia woodland.

The landscape around Loldia House combines open farmland, lakeshore vegetation and views across the water toward the escarpments of the Rift Valley. Meanwhile, hippos inhabit the lake and birdlife gathers along the shoreline throughout the day.

Because the estate lies directly on the lake, guests often see wildlife moving across the lawns or grazing nearby.

Accommodation

Accommodation at Loldia House consists of rooms within the main farmhouse as well as separate cottages set within the gardens.

Features include:

Comfortable rooms with views across the lake or gardens
Traditional country-house interiors
Private verandas or terraces
Ensuite bathrooms

The atmosphere remains relaxed and intimate, reflecting the property’s origins as a private family home.

Safari Experience / Activities

Staying at Loldia House allows travellers to explore several landscapes of the Rift Valley.

Activities may include:

• Boat safaris on Lake Naivasha
• Walking safaris on Crescent Island
• Excursions to Lake Nakuru National Park
• Birdwatching along the lakeshore
• Scenic drives across the Rift Valley escarpment

Because of its central location, the property works well as a base for exploring the surrounding Rift Valley lakes.

Wildlife

Although Lake Naivasha is best known for its birdlife, the surrounding landscapes support a variety of wildlife.

Wildlife encounters may include:

• Hippopotamus
• Giraffe
• Zebra
• Buffalo
• Numerous water birds and fish eagles

In addition, Crescent Island nearby offers excellent opportunities to walk among plains wildlife.

When to Visit

Loldia House can be visited throughout the year.

June – October
Dry season conditions offer pleasant weather and good wildlife viewing.

January – March
Clear skies often provide excellent conditions for exploring the lake.

April – May / November
Seasonal rains bring lush landscapes and strong birdlife activity.

Because Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake, wildlife and birdlife remain active throughout the year.

Insider Tips

Early morning boat rides across Lake Naivasha often provide the best sightings of hippos and fish eagles.

Meanwhile, Crescent Island offers one of the few places in Kenya where travellers can walk among giraffe, zebra and antelope.

Because the house sits directly on the lakeshore, sunset views across the water can be particularly beautiful.

Oloi Shorua Must-Do

Take a morning boat safari across Lake Naivasha followed by a guided walk on Crescent Island, where giraffe, zebra and antelope move freely across the open grasslands.

Oloi Shorua Recommendation

We recommend spending two nights at Loldia House, allowing time to explore Lake Naivasha as well as visit Lake Nakuru National Park for rhino viewing.

Planning Your Safari

Many journeys include:

You can also explore:

At Oloi Shorua we design bespoke safari journeys that combine the finest lodges across Africa’s most remarkable wildlife landscapes. Speak with us to begin planning your safari.

The Oloi Selects view of Loldia House

Loldia House is a small country house on the north-western shore of Lake Naivasha, on a privately owned conservancy of about 6,500 acres. It is not a Mara-style camp, and that is its value: a calm, green first or last night about two hours from Nairobi.

At a glance

Setting: privately owned 6,500-acre conservancy on Lake Naivasha; the main house dates from 1943
Distance: about two hours from Nairobi by road, with daily flights to the ranch airstrip
Children: welcome at any age
Activities: boat safaris on the lake, game drives including night drives, gentle walks in the fenced farming area, day trips to Hell’s Gate, Eburu Forest and Lake Nakuru

Who it suits

A relaxed first or last night around a Kenya safari, close to Nairobi
Families with children of any age who want space, a pool and easy activities
Travellers who want boat safaris, walking and birds rather than big cats

Who it does not suit

Guests whose priority is predators and the migration; Loldia is a Rift Valley stay, not a Mara substitute
Guests who want a long, headline safari stay; two nights is usually the right length

Its place in a route

We use Loldia at the start or end of a route, to ease in after a long flight or wind down before departure, and to add lake and woodland game viewing before or after the Mara.

Families

Children of all ages are welcome, and the activities (boating, short walks, a pool) suit a mixed-age family well.

Getting there

About two hours by road from Nairobi, or a daily flight to the ranch airstrip with Governors’ Aviation. Local airstrip transfers are included.

What the rate usually excludes

Flights
Ranch fees, charged per person per night on top of the rate (children are charged at a lower rate)
Entry to off-ranch activities such as Lake Nakuru National Park
Champagne, selected fine wines, premium spirits and liqueurs
Spa treatments, gratuities and personal items

What we would choose instead

If you want a Rift Valley stay with a stronger wildlife focus, we would look at a Laikipia property instead. We can compare options for your dates.

Last checked against the property’s own information: October 2026. Details change, so we confirm them again when we quote your itinerary.