Nestled on a hilltop in the middle of a 1,000 acre game conservancy, Mlimani cottage offers comfort, absolute privacy and serenity, and breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding nature. Due to our location inside a conservancy, a 4WD vehicle is required to visit. The space The property consist of a main cottage (living room, kitchen and 2 bedrooms each with its own ensuite bathroom (sleeps 4 adults plus 2 children (bunkbed) PLUS a separate guest cottage (sleeps 2 adults; ensuite bathroom). Property is fenced. Askari nearby. Guest access Entire 2 cottages. Enjoy your privacy. Other things to note THINGS TO DO & RESTAURANTS Wildlife One can find many animals at the conservancy. Zebra, giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck, kongoni, gazelle, jackal, and sometimes even a hyena or leopard. Hippo Watching. The lakes (Lake Naivasha and Lake Oloiden) have many hippos which are fun and safe to watch. There are quite a few locations where you can set out for a boat ride. We always use Carnelly’s restaurant for their boat ride services and would highly recommend them. Bird Watching Lake Navaisha is famous for its birds. Over 300 species of birds can be found. Our favorite is the African Fish Eagle. Hiking. While hiking at our reserve is not safe and not allowed because of the buffalos, we like to hike around Crater Lake (take left at Kongoni Exit, about 9 km drive) (small entrance fee). You will absolutely enjoy the view of the lake from the rim of the crater. Eburru Forest You can also hike in Eburru National Forest (about 35 km, 1 hr drive). Guides available (call). The drive is a bit long but well worth it. Eburru is an indigenous forest. Very rich in vegetation, not so many animals (except for Columbus monkeys), but if you are lucky you will see a Bongo. Make sure you take a raincoat since It often rains. Crescent Island Next to Sanctuary Farm is another option. Good for a family walk with little children. Enjoy the wildlife. Mount Longonot National Park. Of course, if you talk about hiking, Mount Longonot is the prize in terms of endurance. A bit of a drive (bit more than one hour each way since it is located 50 km back towards Nairobi), but well worth the drive. You can hike up Mt Longonot to the rim, and if you are up to it, hike around along the rim. Total hours to complete the entire hike around the rim can be 4hrs to 4.5hrs. Hells Gate National Park. Visit the park for a game drive, biking, a bit of hiking (you would need a guide) even rock climbing. There are two entrances, the most nearby is the Olkaria entry one. The main gate to the hells gate national park gate is only 12km away and there you can rent bikes to tour the park. Thermal Baths. Right after the Olkaria Gate entrance of Hells Gate Park, you can find thermal baths fed by a natural hot spring. Open to the public every day at a fee. Horseback Riding. One can go horseback riding among various wild animals (fortunately no lions) at Sanctuary Farm. The horses are healthy and in good shape. Elsamere. This is a hidden gem. It is the former home of the late Joy and George Adamson, situated right on the shores of Lake Naivasha. One can have a cup of tea or an old fashioned lunch and you will enjoy the ambiance. There is even a small museum dedicated to Joy Adamson. Nearby Restaurants While our kitchen is very well equipped and we prefer to dine at home enjoying the views, there are a number of good restaurants around. Ranch House Bistro. Very nice setting with views of the lake. They also have a farm shop. 5 minutes drive from our main entrance.. Hubei Chines Restaurant One would never expect a Chinese restaurant, but my Chinese friends tell me it is the best in Kenya. 17 min drive (10 km) from our main entrance. Call for openings hours. Camp Carnelly’s. Great for drinks, lunch and dinner. Very kid friendly. 15 minutes drive (9 km) from our main entrance. Kijiko Located on Sanctuary Farm. Good for enjoying a nice lunch or diner while watching wildlife. 35 min (23 km) drive from our main entrance.