Elsamere hotel is a great haven for lovers of nature which consists of the lush green vegetation during the rainy season or the dry savanna grasslands when the rains have decided to go on strike. The hotel is set in the Acacia forest on the banks of the Lake Naivasha in Kenya's Rift Valley. It is apparently the former home of the late Joy Adamson who, together with her husband George, became the world’s most famous couple for their pioneering conservation work and relationship with the lioness Elsa. Joy eventually wrote a book which became a best seller and it was subsequently casted into a film both titled, 'Born Free'. The main reason for staying in this centre is to be involved with conservation projects in regards to endangered species like the lions, birds like the Verraux's Owl, turtles as well as some species of monkeys such as the black and white colobus monkeys. To make this a learner friendly atmosphere, the cottage has several rooms left aside for classrooms for school children and company employees to learn about the joys of nature.
The center is rather small providing accommodation of between 15-18 people in several cottages set in the gardens around the main house. Each of these cottages has a veranda with rooms that are bright, spacious as well as attractive to any beholders eye; further more, they all have ensuite bathrooms. One of the rooms in the main house it built appropriately for the physically challenged with a wheel chair provision and ramp to comfortable maneuver through the various floors of the cottage.
Elsamere is best known for its warm hospitality and home like atmosphere that is felt immediately one enters the hotel. Lunch is more often served in buffet style with plenty of outdoor tables and chairs for alfresco dining for the guests to have a total natural experience. Dinner is hosted each night and it is the perfect opportunity to get to know the guests, many of who may tend to be visiting researchers and conservationists from all over Kenya and the European countries. Interestingly, Elsamere is open to the public day between 3pm and 6pm everyday. Visitors are invited to watch a video, visit the museum and shop in the business centre found in the cottage. A traditional afternoon tea is served at 4pm which is typically a British practice. The museum contains a small collection of Joy Adamson's painting and artifacts which are quite many since painting was a favorite hobby of hers, memorabilia from the Born Free film are also displayed in the museum; alongside, lots of documented tapes on Joy and George Adamson's work with wildlife.
While there one is not confined to the walls of the centre instead, one can hire boats or arrange a guided tour to view birds and other wildlife on the nearby Crescent Island that is not too far from centre. Lake Naivasha can also be a hot spot for tourists to enjoy the various kinds of birds along the lake.
This is a different kind of touring adventure from the usual sunbathing and is bound to leave you feel wanting more.
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