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On my way to the Rift region, I always saw this gleaming lake from the road, and being someone naturally drawn to water bodies, I knew that someday, I would find myself there. And so a three-day work break found me and the missus by the lakeside.
Sentrim Elementaita Lodge, where we stayed for the three days is only about three hours away from Nairobi along Nakuru-Nairobi highway.
We arrived in the late afternoon and were welcomed by the ever smiling staff with a large pitcher of fresh juice. Stepping into the establishment, there is a remarkable difference between the surroundings inside and outside. Instead of the brown dusty fields we had passed on the way down, there was an abundance of greenery and blooming flowers. The silence was only interrupted by the chirping of the birds.
Standing at the reception, I had a clear view of the lake and the colourful flamingos. Though a long distance away, I could also clearly see the Sleeping Warrior Mountains located inside the Lord Delamere’s Soysambu Conservancy. The Delamere estate, I soon learnt, has protected a part of the lake.
We were soon ushered into our room, one with a balcony overlooking the lake. The rooms, all equipped with DSTV and WIFI, and a safe for your valuables had a cool feel that was accentuated by the white cast walls. The lodge has 84 rooms in total.
A few winks later, we left the room to explore the lake. The calming walk along the shores of Lake Elementaita was only made better by the beautiful sunset displayed on the orange tinged skies. Famished after tackling a long stretch of the beach, we went to the large airy restaurant to see what we could get. While I am no vegetarian, I was particularly impressed by the wide array of the vegetarian options available. After having our serving of some roasted potatoes and perfectly grilled lamb, we retired to the sounds of the lake’s smooth purr.
The next two days passed blissfully away doing nothing much other than taking long walks along the beach, ample rest and having some quality time with my wife before we got back to our busy lives.
While the lodge is perfect for weekend getaways with your partner, a family retreat is just as good. There is a pool for adults and children, a children’s play house, a modern gym, a pool table, and a spa and steam bath area. During the holidays, charges per person go up to Sh10, 750 and down to Sh8, 500 in low seasons.
If feeling a little adventurous, you can also visit the Nakuru National Park and the Kariandusi historical site which are not too far away.
