Crater Lake and Elsamere

view of the stunning Crater Lake

We had never been to Crater Lake or visited Elsamere, so with Joel visiting us, we headed out for a daytrip as it’s not far from Nairobi. Rob, Jon’s colleague, also joined us.

Crater Lake is stunning and we first hiked around the rim before descending to the lake’s edge where the lodge is located. After a relaxed drink we decided to go for a short game drive before going for lunch on the lawns of Ranch House Bistro. They have a lovely café and a quaint shop selling fresh farm produce.

Jude and Rob looking out over Crater Lake

a relaxed giraffe on our small game drive

Jude, Rob and Joel having lunch at the Ranch House Bistro at the edge of Lake Naivasha

After a delicious lunch we continued our tour of the area and went over to Elsamere. This was George and Joy Adamson’s house and it now houses a museum. They became famous for raising Elsa the lioness and returning her to the wild. The movie ‘Born Free’ tells this story.

the gardens of Elsamere, now a museum

view over Lake Naivasha from Elsamere, stunning location for a house

We watched a documentary about their lives, had tea in the lovely garden and had a look at the Defender George was driving when he was killed in Kora NP in 1989 whilst working with orphaned lions, trying to return them to the wild.

the actual Defender George was driving when he was murdered in Kora NP

There are still plenty of birds and colobus monkeys that visit the gardens regularly. Joy used to feed them, and now staff continue to feed them.

grumpy looking male colobus monkey in the gardens of Elsamere