Elsamere Lodge

Located on the shores of Lake Naivasha in Kenya’s Rift Valley, Elsamere Lodge is the original home of Joy and George Adamson of the “Born Free” fame. It was here that Joy nurtured some of her orphaned big cats.

The area is still a haven for wildlife, with its own small troop of black and white colobus monkeys living and playing in the Acacia trees. Fish Eagles call from the lake shore and hippos, eland and zebra graze on the lawns at night. Elsamere has also its own boats for bird watching trips and visiting nearby Crescent Island.

The property houses a museum that preserves several items belonging to the Adamsons such as paintings, literature and other mementos from the movie that was adapted from the novel “Elsa the Lioness”. While Elsamere House itself may not be as modern as the alternatives, it makes up for this in atmosphere and intimacy. Elsamere Lodge has only 10 cottages/rooms with en-suite bathroom and each has a real African feel.