Love-struck couples romance on a tree

The Lovers’ Nest is a honeymoon suite perched on a tree on the grounds of Osim Country Lodge (PHOTOS: CHARLES NGENO]

By CHARLES NGENO

Ewaso Ngiro, Kenya: Usually after a wedding, many a love-struck groom will plan a honeymoon for his bride. He will aim for a romantic experience and hope for seclusion and privacy. Well, nothing can offer more privacy than a room perched on top of a tree.

Aptly named The Lovers’ Nest, this tree-top roomr is found at Osim Country Lodge in Ewaso Ngiro centre, 11 kilometers South West of Narok town.

The Lovers’ Nest has a bed, a toilet and shower and two chairs for the lovers. The bathroom floor is tiled and the bedroom floor is wooden. The room is strictly for lovers who want to enjoy themselves in a unique environment.

Couples who have spent their time in the treetop room say the experience is unforgettable.

“The whispering of the acacia leaves, the chirping of the birds, and the gurgling waters of the Ewaso Ngiro River as it meanders its way down stream has a really soothing effect for the lovers,” said Arnold from Australia who County Life met at Osim, visiting for the second time.

He said the room is perfect for couples looking for a unique experience. He says the house on top of a tree that does not touch the ground gives a new meaning to love.

According to David from Narok the Lovers’ Nest has a therapeutic effect on an ailing relationship. He reveals that he had wronged his fiancé and was wondering how he could make it up to her.

“I had heard about this place and I decided to surprise her by bringing her here. When she heard that we were going to spend the night on top of a tree, she could not believe it. In the morning, she requested that we spend one more day and that did the trick. I went back home having won her forgiveness,” said David.

Stella from Bomet, is also all praises for the Nest. She says the realisation that it is only the two of you in a world of your own, adds to the thrill of love making.

“After getting married, I asked friends to direct us to the most fascinating destination. Many talked of the Maasai Mara. One of my friends asked us to try Osim as we head to the Mara. When we arrived at Osim, we changed our plans and resolved to spend the whole week there,” she said adding that she would recommend the place to any friend because she describes the feeling as a treat of a life time.

Lovers can access the room via a metallic ladder that can be lifted off the ground once the lovers are safely in the room. The ladder is only brought back at 9 in the morning.

The Lovers’ Nest has been in operation for the last eight years and during the high season last July, the room received bookings from foreign tourist who had read about it on Facebook. Osim Country Lodge proprietor David Sankok said he came up with idea after seeing many lovers head to the Mara for their honeymoon only to spend their time in rooms similar to the ones they had left back home.

“After establishing my lodge I thought of conceiving something that was going to be unique and ahead of the rest. I resolved that I had to divert some of the lovers to my lodge,” said Sankok.

 “Foreign tourist normally pay USD400 US for a night but locals are charged Sh3000. Visitors can also be allowed to tour the lovers nest by paying Kshs 500,” said Sankok.

He says the hospitality industry has been very close to his heart because reasons that it is in the industry that one gets to socialize, listen and interact with people. Sankok, a trained medical doctor, adds that his is an attempt to offer that sought after getaway from the hectic life of urban centers.

The signpost to Osim, which loosely translates to a place where there is no loneliness in the Maasai dialect, invitingly declares, “Jichinjie, Jichomee, Jienjoy.”

“We give our patrons a chance to also slaughter and roast the goat for themselves. This is another unique thrill that we are sure has put us ahead of our competitors,” he says.

The lodge manager Joshua Taekwo said holiday lovers are also offered an opportunity to do sport fishing along the river banks and game drive.

The place is bubbling with life. A group of tourists from Holland are shooting a movie called “An African Adventure” as some children ride happily on powered Formula One motor bikes. Some other children are having fun at the jungle gym as their parents watch the Ewaso Nyiro River lazily snakes its way downstream. The scene is breathtaking.