Crate Lake Camp in Naivasha Kenya offers luxury tented accommodation on the tree lined shores of this unusual jade green volcanic lake. The walls of the crater encircle the camp and the lake, giving an enclosed sense of privacy and isolation. To reach the camp you walk down attractively built rustic steps-a greet many of them.
Built under giant fever tree and facing the lake are eight attractively furnished tents and two wooden cottages. The accommodations are romantic and private. You climb stairs up to your spacious tent which is on a raised wooden platform has a thatched roof and nice stone bathroom. From the rocking chairs on your veranda and from your bed you look out towards the peaceful lake and the steep crater walls beyond. There are some particularly nice touches such as the use of carved acacia and chunks of obsidian in the constructions. Colorful bed covers, decoratively painted clay pots and unusual roofs (thatch lined with Hessian) all add to the charm of the place. There are dressing downs in the bathroom and mineral water by the bed.
The pleasant bar and dining area are fronted by a large open-sided veranda which looks out over the lake. There are chunky wood chairs with big cushions and day beds for resting on the lawn. Guests can take a walk along the edge of the lake and there are wooden jetty with steps into the lake for those bent on the swim. The bird life is incredible-hosts of waders are in the shallows and swifts skim the water. At certain time of the year pink flamingos add a surreal touch to the vivid green of the lake. Black and white Colobus monkeys cavort in the trees and wake you in the morning with their strange calls echoing over the water.
It is possible to take escorted walks on the plains of the historical Ndabibi estate-home to a variety of game including giraffe, eland and cheetah. Lady Dalamere and her two husbands are buried on a panoramic outcrop on the estate. An early morning walk (for the surefooted) around the rim of the crater offers lovely views over the plains and escarpments beyond and down into the peaceful crater below. Night game drives are also offered, Crater lake camp is a wonderfully tranquil and romantic spot-a perfect place to slow down and recharge.Crater Lake offers classic escapes for special interest groups, including painting and astrology weekends, as well as ornithological outings with local experts.
The camp will prepare special romantic excursions – sundowners on the panoramic outcrop of Leopard Rock or a candlelit dinner on the lakeside jetty – while our safari vehicles can take you to the dramatic gorge of Hell’s Gate or the shimmering expanse of Lake Nakuru – home to more than half the world’s lesser flamingos. But for all its spectacular surroundings, visitors to Crater Lake often prefer to sit on their verandas overlooking what must be one of the most beautiful small lakes in creation. Our camp has been described as “Kenya’s most romantic tented camp” – and we challenge any couple not to fall in love all over again!
Eight tents, some with double and some with twin beds the two cottages each have two beds and two bunk beds handy for families but a little darker than the tents. En-suite bathrooms with showers and plenty of hot water.