Affordable Vacation Lake Elementaita | 3 Days 2 Nights
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Vacations
Lake Elementaita Lodge or similar
Three unhurried days above a quiet Rift Valley lake, two hours from Nairobi
Affordable Vacation Lake Elementaita: three days and two nights above a quiet Rift Valley lake, with every meal covered, a fruit platter waiting when you arrive, a guided bird walk and a free middle day to fill with as much or as little as you like. From KES 60,000 per couple for Kenyan citizens, with transport from Nairobi available as an add on.
Some trips are for marking an occasion. This one is simply for taking your leave days and using them well. Lake Elementaita is the calm lake of the Rift Valley, about two hours from Nairobi on the A104, and three days there is enough to properly slow down without spending half of it on the road.
You stay at Lake Elementaita Lodge, on the escarpment above the water. The lodge grew around an old farmhouse that Galbraith Cole established about a century ago, and it still feels more like a country house than a hotel, with 33 rooms, a pool and gardens that look out over the lake towards the Sleeping Warrior hill.
A fruit platter is waiting when you arrive, and the first evening ends at the bonfire. Day 2 is yours to shape. Start with an early walk to the shoreline to look for great white pelicans, which breed here and nowhere else in Kenya. Then spend the rest of the day by the pool, or add the zipline or high ropes at Sirville Adventure Park, or a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, about 45 kilometres up the highway.
Flamingos come and go with the water levels, so we never promise them. If you want more space, you can move both nights to Lake Elementaita Mountain Lodge for a set supplement. Transport from Nairobi is an optional add on.
For more on the lake, see our Lake Elementaita guide, or browse all our vacation packages.
Details
Summary information about this package
Lake Elementaita Lodge or similar
Elementaita
Couples
Included
Road
For Adults only (18+)
Full-board
Included
All year round
Costs
Kenyan Citizen
Ksh. 30000 per person sharing
Non-resident
$ 380 per person sharing
Transport
Options: Road
Duration and Timing
No
3 Days 2 Nights
About Package
More information about this package
A welcome fruit platter: A platter of fresh fruit is ready for you when you check in, something to share on the terrace before you have even unpacked.
Lake Elementaita Lodge or similar: A 33 room lodge built around Galbraith Cole's farmhouse, about 500 metres off the highway on the escarpment above the lake. Rooms are standard doubles or twins, simple and comfortable rather than showy.
Full board for both days: Every meal from lunch on arrival to breakfast on your last morning is covered. The only thing you pay for at the table is drinks.
A guided bird walk at first light: A lodge guide takes you down towards the shoreline early to look for great white pelicans, and your Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary fees are already paid.
A bonfire on your first night: We arrange an evening bonfire with the lodge after dinner, a good way to mark the start of a few days off.
A middle day you can fill: Keep it slow at the pool, or add the zipline at Sirville Adventure Park, a half day game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, a massage, or a visit to the Kikopey hot springs through the lodge.
Two hours from Nairobi: The A104 gets you there in about 2 to 2.5 hours. Drive yourselves, or add our private saloon or mini SUV and your driver stays with you for all three days.
Package Itinerary
The package itinerary is as follows
Affordable Vacation Lake Elementaita Itinerary with Baecation Adventures from Nairobi
Day 1: Arriving Slowly
Check in at the lodge from midday. Adding our private transfer? We collect you from your Nairobi address at 9 am for the 2 to 2.5 hour drive on the A104, and your driver stays with you for all three days.
Morning: The Drive Out
The road climbs out of Nairobi and drops onto the floor of the Rift Valley, and the out of office starts to feel real. Past Naivasha and Gilgil, the lake appears below the highway, pale and still, with the Sleeping Warrior hill lying along the skyline.
Afternoon: Settling In
A fruit platter is waiting when you check in. Lunch at the lodge, then the afternoon by the pool or on the terrace with nothing else to do.
Evening: The First Fire
Dinner at the lodge as the light goes, then out to the bonfire under a clear sky. Elementaita evenings are cool, so bring a warm layer and stay out as long as you like.
Day 2: The Full Day
Morning: The Shoreline Walk
An early walk with your lodge guide down towards the water, looking for great white pelicans, avocets and whatever else is feeding in the shallows. Back for a slow breakfast with the lake in front of you.
Afternoon: Your Choice
This is the day to add something, or nothing at all. A half day game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park leaves straight after breakfast if you have the car. The zipline and high ropes at Sirville Adventure Park suit the afternoon. Or stay by the pool, book a massage, or ask the lodge about a visit to the Kikopey hot springs.
Evening: Dinner at the Lodge
Dinner at the lodge, then a quiet evening, an early night or one more hour outside under the stars.
Day 3: Slowly Home
Morning: The Last Breakfast
A long breakfast with the lake below you, then check out without hurrying.
Afternoon: The Slow Way Back
If you have the car, stop for nyama choma at Kikopey or visit the Kariandusi Prehistoric Site on the way home, both at your own cost. You are back in Nairobi with the evening still free.
Add Ons
Romantic Touches: (Optional extras to make a night of it)
Room and bed decoration: KES 4,500 ($45) per setup
Sparkling wine on arrival: KES 5,000 ($50) per bottle
Celebration cake: KES 4,000 ($40) per cake
Private bush dinner for two: KES 9,000 ($90) per couple
Photographer, one hour: KES 11,500 ($115) per session
Upgrade Your Stay: (Per couple, on top of the package price)
Lake Elementaita Mountain Lodge, deluxe room with a bathtub and terrace, full board, both nights: from KES 44,500 ($815) per couple
Extra night at Lake Elementaita Lodge on full board: KES 12,500 ($95) per person sharing
Transport: (Private car from your Nairobi address, driver stays with you for all three days)
Private saloon car with driver, Nairobi return: KES 36,000 ($360) per couple
Private mini SUV with driver, Nairobi return: KES 54,000 ($535) per couple, recommended if you add the Lake Nakuru game drive
Experiences: (Add any of these when you book)
Sirville Adventure Park water slides, high ropes or zipline: from KES 2,500 ($30) per person, lodge transfer arranged if you are not using our car
Lake Nakuru game drive: KES 10,000 ($100) per person, requires the transport add on
Massage and wellness session: KES 3,500 ($35) per session
Specialist birding guide: KES 4,000 ($40) per group
Packed lunch: KES 2,000 ($20) per meal
+ Inclusions
2 nights at Lake Elementaita Lodge or similar, standard room
Full board from lunch on arrival to breakfast on Day 3
Welcome fruit platter on arrival
Guided nature walk and bird watching with a lodge guide
Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary conservation fees (KWS)
Evening bonfire on your first night
Use of the lodge swimming pool
Baecation Adventures planning and support throughout your stay
All government taxes and levies
- Exclusions
Transport between Nairobi and the lodge, available as an add on below
Drinks, including bottled water outside meals
Lunch on Day 3 and any meals outside the lodge, including Kikopey
Sirville Adventure Park activities, available as add ons below
Lake Nakuru game drive and park fees, available as an add on below
Kikopey hot springs visit
Kariandusi Prehistoric Site entry and Soysambu Conservancy fees
Romantic touches and photographer, available as add ons below
Spa treatments
Festive season supplement for stays between 20 December and 4 January
Tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
Anything not listed under Inclusions
What To Carry
A warm layer each for the bonfire and the early walk, since Elementaita mornings and evenings are cool
Comfortable closed shoes for the shoreline walk
Quick dry clothes, if you plan to add the Sirville activities
Swimwear for the pool and the hot springs
A sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
Binoculars, if you have them
A light rain jacket between March and May, and in November and December
National ID or passport, which confirms your KWS fee category at Elementaita and Lake Nakuru
A good book for the slow parts of the day
A charged phone or camera and a power bank
Cash or M-Pesa for drinks and tips
Book This Package
Reach out:
For enquiries or bookings, write to [email protected]. We’ll revert within 20 minutes during business hours.