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Discover the Legacy of "Born Free" at Elsamere Lodge Step into history at Elsamere Lodge, the former home of Joy and George Adamson, celebrated for their groundbreaking work with Elsa the Lioness, as immortalized in the book and film Born Free. Now a haven of tranquility, Elsamere is run by the Elsa Trust, offering charming cottages nestled in lush gardens along the shores of Lake Naivasha. Guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including exploring the fascinating Adamson Museum, taking serene nature walks, guided birding excursions, or scenic boat rides on the lake. With over 300 bird species, abundant wildlife, and panoramic views, it’s an unparalleled retreat for nature enthusiasts. Delight in our homely atmosphere, delicious meals, and a stay that inspires conservation and connection with nature. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, Elsamere Lodge offers an unforgettable experience steeped in history and natural beauty.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Historic Hotel
Languages Spoken
English, Swahili
Location
Moi South Lake Road Elsamere Conservation Centre, Naivasha 20117 Kenya
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I booked at Elsamere on the recommendation of a friend with the intention of a 2-day solo retreat but ended up staying 5 days because I loved it so much. I'm familiar with Joy & George Adamson's story, having watched Born Free a few times in the '80s and '90s, but it was really special to experience what used to be their home (as well as Elsa's).
The property is really beautiful and unlike many of the properties in Naivasha, is right on the lake. So you have stunning panoramic views of the lake from your room or from any of the common areas. I loved that it never felt crowded even though the lodge filled up on the last night I was there - likely because the lodge accommodates 20 guests max if I'm not mistaken.
The service was really great! The staff were all incredibly warm, friendly, professional and accommodating. Big shout-out to Rachel who really went out of her way and made me feel right at home. The lodge manager, David was always super attentive and present.
There was always a fresh pot of decent filter coffee when I needed it - not always a given at the lodges, but so appreciated here. There was always a pitcher of drinking water at the tables during mealtimes, but I loved the fresh watermelon juice I ordered daily. The food was pretty good - very fresh and very wholesome. My daytime dining experience was definitely enhanced by all the wildlife that kept me company. It was such a treat to be able to watch the variety of birdlife, Colobus monkeys and warthogs that were always around while I enjoyed my meals.
I stayed in a Superior room which looked like it may have been recently spruced up. The bed and bedding was so warm, cozy and comfortable, and the shower had decent water pressure and hot water. My only recommendation here to the management would be to consider using warm white light bulbs instead of daylight bulbs in the rooms to create better ambiance in the rooms at night. I spent a fair bit of time on the front porch of my room because the animals (especially the warthog families) would come right up to it and I had a beautiful view of the lake. Almost every night, there were hippos, zebras and giraffes outside my room.
Other points to note: * Generally accessible for anyone in a wheelchair or walking aide. * Great WiFi connection everywhere on the property * Lodge entrance is on the main Moi South Lake rd (very accessible via saloon car)
Many thanks to the awesome Elsamere team for your wonderful hospitality - David, Peninah, Rachel, et al. I'll definitely be back!
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Carry insect repellent to use on your body when you're outdoors so you can enjoy your time...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Ndung'u, General Manager at Elsamere Lodge
Responded 29 Jan 2025
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed and heartfelt review of your stay at Elsamere! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that what was initially planned as a 2-day retreat turned into a 5-day stay because you loved it so much. It’s always our goal to create an environment where guests feel so at home that they never want to leave! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed the unique experience of staying in what was once the home of Joy and George Adamson and that you felt connected to their incredible story. The panoramic views of Lake Naivasha and the serene atmosphere truly make Elsamere a special place, and we’re so glad you appreciated the beauty and tranquillity of the property. It’s wonderful to hear that our staff, especially Rachel and I, made such a positive impression on you. We pride ourselves on providing warm, friendly, and professional service, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to the entire team. We’re also happy that you enjoyed the fresh, wholesome meals, the wildlife encounters, and the cosy comfort of your Superior room. Your feedback about the lighting is much appreciated, and we’ll certainly take it into consideration as we continue to improve our guest experience. We’re so pleased that you found the lodge accessible, the WiFi reliable, and the location convenient. It’s always our aim to make every aspect of your stay as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Thank you again for your glowing review and for choosing Elsamere for your retreat. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable stay!
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We stayed as two couples for five nights. It is a wonderful place to just relax and let the wildlife come to you. It is unique in having no boundary fences, so the animals can just wander into the large site. As Lake Naivasha is surrounded by multiple flower farms, the local animals know that Elsamere povides a safe place to find water and sanctuary. Giraffe, zebra, warthogs, hippos and colobus monkeys frequent the site. The rooms have been recently upgraded and have new shower rooms, beds and decor. However, the main house retains it's residential charm as the home of the Adamsons. There are boat trips available around the lake. There is a recently constructed viewing and seating area where one can watch what is happening on the lake Meals are served in the dining room of the main house, as a buffet. They are always well cooked and tasty, but not necessarily a wide range of menu items. Afternoon tea is provided on the lawn.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Ndung'u, General Manager at Elsamere Lodge
Responded 21 Dec 2024
Thank you for staying with us and sharing your experience! We're thrilled you enjoyed the unique wildlife encounters and the tranquil environment that Elsamere offers. We hope to welcome you back for more relaxation soon!
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This place has so many positive attributes, but I'm going to start with the food because I was blown away. I never imagined I would talk about food when I'm staying at a place I could walk outside at any point and see 50+ species of birds, hippopotamus, giraffes, and other spectacular animals, but the food was absolutely out of this world good! The food is prepared with love and each meal felt like a special occasion. The staff at this lodging are amazing. World class service, highly secure and safe, and exceptional comfort are offered here. Meals are served buffet style and each starts with soup and ends with home made dessert. The rooms are comfortable and there is 24 hour security, so I felt safe at all times. Security is needed because of the wildlife. You WILL see wildlife. Everything you can imagine and everything you had no idea existed are walking around day and night here. Check in was a breeze (and we were a large group). Eating in Joy and George Adamson's home is such a treat. All of their decor is still up, their library is intact, and much of Joy's original artwork is hanging on the walls. The only neutral comment I have is that the spray nozzles in the bathrooms are sort of sprinkler-like, so you have to be careful not spill water all over the floor. This is a very fun place to visit. Lake Naivasha abuts the lodging and all the people are very nice. The museum is like walking through a time machine. Very cool place!
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Date of stay: May 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Ndung'u, General Manager at Elsamere Lodge
Responded 21 Dec 2024
Thank you for your enthusiastic review! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed the food, wildlife, and historic charm of Elsamere. Your kind words about the staff and the unique experience of staying at Joy and George Adamson’s home mean a lot to us. We’ll look into the bathroom spray nozzles to ensure greater comfort. We hope you visit again for another memorable stay!
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Elsamere lodge has beautiful grounds right on Lake Navaisha. Service was excellent. It is smaller than other lodges so you felt you were a guest. Food was very good. Small museum and video about the Adamsons. Rooms are nice but a bit dated. They had a nice bonfire in the evening. Giraffe walked just behind our room and awoken in the middle of the night by a Hippo munching on grass 15 yards from the front window. That is what we go on a safari for.
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
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Location
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Service
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Ndung'u, General Manager at Elsamere Lodge
Responded 20 Dec 2024
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the tranquil setting by Lake Naivasha and our attentive service—it’s always our goal to make every guest feel truly at home. The wildlife moments you experienced, from the giraffe behind your room to the nighttime hippo visit, are exactly the magic of staying at Elsamere! We’re glad you appreciated the museum and our evening bonfire too. Your feedback on the rooms is noted, and we’ll keep working to enhance the guest experience. We look forward to welcoming you back for another safari adventure soon!
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Charming lodge with a wonderful staff (check - in , gift shop, dining room, housekeeping, etc..) and exceptional views of Lake Naivasha. The afternoon tea is delightful and served outside in lovely gardens with birds and adorable little monkeys frolicking around. The meals are excellent. It’s a great place to go if you are a fan of the book and movie “Born Free”. You are staying at Joy and George Adamsons home/ property. The lodge is filled with Elsa the famous lioness memorabilia. Through Joy Adamson’s raising of Elsa and then setting her free, she changed the way we perceive animals. Their intelligence, emotions, ability to communicate and interact is all documented through the incredible Elsa and Joy. The cottages here are rustic, but clean with amenities. We even had a heard of zebras come onto the property at night to graze on the lawn. They were beautiful. Giraffes and hippos are known to also come onto the property at night. As some residents did indeed see a hippo and photographed it at 4:30 am during my stay. Loved my visit here and would definitely like to return.
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Ndung'u, General Manager at Elsamere Lodge
Responded 20 Dec 2024
Thank you so much for sharing such a detailed and heartfelt review of your stay at Elsamere Lodge! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the charm of our historic home, the tranquil surroundings, and the unique wildlife encounters—zebras grazing and hippos visiting truly make for magical memories. It’s wonderful to know you found inspiration in Joy and George Adamson's legacy and enjoyed our delicious meals and serene garden settings. We’re thrilled you plan to return and can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience. Safe travels, and thank you again for your kind words!
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The museum was interesting as its the story behind everything however was let down by the worst high tea I've ever experience. A bread roll with a squirty cream and something that resembled jam, very average sandwiches but not enough for the whole party all served on plastic plates and a mug of tea from a flask, if you're going for a high tea experience like we were promised then don't bother. Spilt what would have been a great visit in sure Joy and George would be embarrassed with what was served up today.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Graeme Dougan, Marketing at Elsamere Lodge
Responded 14 Feb 2023
Thank you for your response. I will ensure this is brought to the attention of the manager as this is not the standard we usually serve. I am sorry it spoilt your enjoyment of our wonderful environment.
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This place is magical. The rooms and accommodation are very basic, somebody described as delightfully dilapidated which is very apt. The staff are lovely, the view and wildlife here more than make up for tired old rooms. Our group of 5 were the only guests staying and were treated to a wonderful evening meal watching zebra and giraffes wondering around the gardens. The guard takes you back to your accommodation after dinner as the wildlife walk with you.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Ndung'u, General Manager at Elsamere Lodge
Responded 21 Dec 2024
Thank you for your glowing review! We're thrilled you enjoyed the wildlife, dining experiences, and unique charm of Elsamere. We hope to host you again soon for another magical stay.
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The view was amazing—a perfect getaway from the busyness of Nairobi. All the rooms have large windows which allow for beautiful natural light in and perfect views of hippos that come onto the property at night to graze (don’t walk around at night by yourself because of this). It was a highlight for us.
Shoutout to David Ndungu (manager) and Caroline (front desk) for a lovey stay.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Call ahead for pricing. Walk around the property. Bring a good book
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Ndung'u, General Manager at Elsamere Lodge
Responded 21 Dec 2024
Thank you for your kind words! We're glad you appreciated the breathtaking views and the unique wildlife interactions. Your compliments are greatly appreciated by Caroline, the team, and myself!
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I came here with my mother for 2 nights, to relax and get away from Nairobi. The location is probably the best in Lake Naivasha, with a more than 180 degree view of the lake. Colobus monkeys play in the trees and at night other animals come on to the lawns to feed - we saw zebras and hippos. Our twin room had a fantastic view. However, the bathroom needed updating - towel rails were broken, as was the shower head holder, and some tiles were cracked. The door also didn't close properly. The toilet was up on a cracked square pedestal, which I stubbed my toe on badly (it's only just feeling better 2 weeks later), so would suggest rounding off the edges. I was also disappointed that we weren't told the amazing afternoon tea usually on offer at this property was not part of the full board package. The small museum needs some TLC, it would be great if visitors could see inside some of the Adamsons' field notebooks, and also if the shop could sell prints of some of the wonderful paintings in the dining room.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Graeme Dougan, Marketing at Elsamere Lodge
Responded 14 Feb 2023
I empathise with your toe stubbing experience - I did the same thing and it does sting. The update of the rooms and bathrooms in particular started in August and most of the rooms have now been renovated. If you come and visit us now you will see a big change in the accommodation. The peaceful atmosphere and the wildlife however remain the same.
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Great place to stay along the Lake Olioden shore. There is amazing wildlife passing by from one side to the other that makes the experience more enjoyable. The guards are always nearby in case you need to move in the night due to the wildlife roaming around freely in the area. The staff are quite friendly and are ready to accommodate any special needs of the clients. Food is also good.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from David Ndung'u, General Manager at Elsamere Lodge
Responded 21 Dec 2024
Thank you for sharing your positive experience! We’re glad you enjoyed the wildlife encounters, friendly staff, and delicious meals. Your safety and comfort are our priority, and we’re happy to hear our team was attentive during your stay. We look forward to hosting you again
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Sorry I cannot really help as I went with a group from Naturetrek. It is possible Elsamere gets booked up with nature groups, but I wouldn't have thought this was all the time. Naturetrek are a good company though and the guides were excellent.
There are more places to choose from in the Naivasha area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
elsamere field study centre hotel naivasha
LOCATION
KenyaRift Valley ProvinceNaivasha
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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