A Weekend in Naivasha, Kenya

For our weekend in Naivasha, Mark and I planned with friends to hike Mount Longonot and then spend the night at Camp Carnelly’s, an accommodation next to Lake Naivasha. We completed the hike after five long hours – it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but the views from the top of the dormant volcano were absolutely worth the climb.

Hiking Mt Longonot

After the hike was done, we drove down to Camp Carnelly’s, located about 30 minutes away from the Mount Longonot gate. Julie had chosen this place for its proximity to the lake and we were keeping our fingers crossed to see some hippos close to the property grounds.

Camp Carnelly’s, Naivasha

Camp Carnelly’s offers different accommodation options depending on your budget and preferences. There is a campsite where you can pitch your tent right next to the lake, traditional rustic cabins called ‘bandas’, cottages and shared dormitories. We chose to stay in one of bandas.

Camp Carnelly's Naivasha

I loved the rustic feel of our banda. It was simple, yet, delightful. It came with 3 beds (a large one and 2 small ones), an ensuite bathroom with a hot shower on the inside and outside, we had a nice seating area with a small private garden.

Our banda was also lake facing and as we walked back from dinner, we could hear hippos nearby. It was a fun little adventure to try to see them out of the water – behind the electric fence that surrounded the camp of course!

The next morning, we had breakfast at Camp Carnelly’s Lazybones Restaurant. It lived up to the many positive reviews we read online. Our dinner the previous night was also great, the portions were sizable and the price was quite fair.

After breakfast, we booked our boat ride on Lake Naivasha. The ride lasted an hour and it was both relaxing and educating. Lake Naivasha is a birder’s paradise and as we cruised on the lake, our guide pointed out different birds to us.

We also got to see some hippos in the water which was very exciting for me until the topic of hippopotamus attacks came up. At which point, I began to question my desire to see more of them. After all, I have seen my share of hippos in and out of water in the Serengeti and Masai Mara. Perhaps a 1-hour boat ride was too long?

Hippos in Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha Boat Ride

As our boat ride ended, we passed by properties that were completely submerged in water. Last year, this area experienced months of torrential rains, causing the lake the overflow its banks. It was quite sad and surreal to see the results of this flooding first hand.

After the boat ride, we packed our bags, checked out of the camp and we headed to Lake Naivasha Sawela Lodge to see if we could grab lunch by the lake. We weren’t able to do so there but it was lovely walking around the premises. We eventually settled for lunch at the Lake Naivasha Country Club. The food was average but the scenery was great.

And then it was time to head back to Nairobi. Our drive back was smooth with only a little traffic along the way. Hiking Mount Longonot and then spending some time in Lake Naivasha served as the perfect weekend getaway from Nairobi. I am certainly looking forward to visiting again.

I would love to hear from you! What are some of your favourite out-of-city destinations?

If you live in Lagos, I’ve shared a lot of mine on this blog. Just look through the ‘Nigeria’ category or search for ‘Lagos’ to find them. If you live in Nairobi, please share your recommendations for places to visit outside the city.

4 comments

  1. Such stunning scenery. Seems like the perfect place to relax after that greuling hike haha! When i lived in Miami, i really liked driving out to Key West, and now in California, I enjoy drives to Santa Cruz or Napa Valley. Hoping to find more out of city gems to visit this year.

    1. It really was the perfect place to relax. I certainly recommend a combined trip, rather than a day hike if time permits.

      Thanks for sharing your favourite out-of-city destinations. I visited Santa Cruz briefly during our visit to the US and loved it too and Napa Valley sounds wonderful. Looking forward to reading about the new places you discover…

I love to hear from you, Leave a comment here!

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Here's how I would spend 7 days in Thailand! ✈️🍃

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok
Day 2: Spend a day in Bangkok exploring the city and her temples
Day 3: Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Rai + explore the temples and city 
Day 4: Drive to Chiang Mai and explore the city and night markets 
Day 5: More explorations in Chiang Mai
Day 6: Fly to Phuket
Day 7: Do an Island hopping trip

Head home! 🥰

----------------------

I spent 16 days in Thailand in March and it was amazing! Could have easily stayed longer. So if you can, plan for longer than 7 days 😉

How would you spend 7 days in Thailand? 👇🏾💬
Here's how I would spend 7 days in Thailand! ✈️🍃 Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok Day 2: Spend a day in Bangkok exploring the city and her temples Day 3: Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Rai + explore the temples and city Day 4: Drive to Chiang Mai and explore the city and night markets Day 5: More explorations in Chiang Mai Day 6: Fly to Phuket Day 7: Do an Island hopping trip Head home! 🥰 ---------------------- I spent 16 days in Thailand in March and it was amazing! Could have easily stayed longer. So if you can, plan for longer than 7 days 😉 How would you spend 7 days in Thailand? 👇🏾💬
16 hours ago
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1/9
So I "listened" to you all and revised this to a very high level guide.

Generally, it seems there are more options for shoulder season travel in February, Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November).

July and August are typically busy times or have heavy rains in some places.

Once again, this is a rough guide, okay? 😅. Happy Travels!
So I "listened" to you all and revised this to a very high level guide. Generally, it seems there are more options for shoulder season travel in February, Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). July and August are typically busy times or have heavy rains in some places. Once again, this is a rough guide, okay? 😅. Happy Travels!
1 day ago
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This staycation gave me everything I love about travel! Stunning views of Kilimanjaro, peaceful moments with wildlife, and an eco-luxury lodge, right in the heart of Amboseli! ✨️

A staycation that felt like a dream safari. No airport queues, no jet lag - just pure magic a few hours from home!

📍Tawi Lodge, Amboseli, Kenya 🇰🇪 
👉🏽 Save this if you're planning a local escape 👣
This staycation gave me everything I love about travel! Stunning views of Kilimanjaro, peaceful moments with wildlife, and an eco-luxury lodge, right in the heart of Amboseli! ✨️ A staycation that felt like a dream safari. No airport queues, no jet lag - just pure magic a few hours from home! 📍Tawi Lodge, Amboseli, Kenya 🇰🇪 👉🏽 Save this if you're planning a local escape 👣
2 days ago
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🌤 Everyone visits and loves Chiang Mai! No hate here - I actually loved it too! But have you heard about Chiang Rai (and I don't just mean the White Temple alone)

We stayed here for two days and honestly loved it so much! Getting to visit the city's main temples and a few lesser known ones before the day trip crowd arrived was blissful!🍃✨️

We loved the beautiful cafés and restaurants and the slower pace of life. Most places were never crowded - even during peak hours. I would certainly revisit if I had the choice!

What about you? Have you been to Chiang Rai? Let me know in the comments!

‐---------------

Hi! 👋🏽 I'm a Nigerian Travel Blogger based in Kenya 🇰🇪, showing you how to travel well (even with your 9-5!). If you love underrated travel destinations, detailed travel guides and itinerary + cost breakdowns, you've found the right account! Let's explore together! ✈️
🌤 Everyone visits and loves Chiang Mai! No hate here - I actually loved it too! But have you heard about Chiang Rai (and I don't just mean the White Temple alone) We stayed here for two days and honestly loved it so much! Getting to visit the city's main temples and a few lesser known ones before the day trip crowd arrived was blissful!🍃✨️ We loved the beautiful cafés and restaurants and the slower pace of life. Most places were never crowded - even during peak hours. I would certainly revisit if I had the choice! What about you? Have you been to Chiang Rai? Let me know in the comments! ‐--------------- Hi! 👋🏽 I'm a Nigerian Travel Blogger based in Kenya 🇰🇪, showing you how to travel well (even with your 9-5!). If you love underrated travel destinations, detailed travel guides and itinerary + cost breakdowns, you've found the right account! Let's explore together! ✈️
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Here's how I would spend 7 days in Thailand! ✈️🍃

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok
Day 2: Spend a day in Bangkok exploring the city and her temples
Day 3: Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Rai + explore the temples and city 
Day 4: Drive to Chiang Mai and explore the city and night markets 
Day 5: More explorations in Chiang Mai
Day 6: Fly to Phuket
Day 7: Do an Island hopping trip

Head home!

I spent 16 days in Thailand in March and it was amazing! Could have easily stayed longer. So if you can, plan for longer than 7 days 😉

How would you spend 7 days in Thailand? 👇🏾💬
Here's how I would spend 7 days in Thailand! ✈️🍃 Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok Day 2: Spend a day in Bangkok exploring the city and her temples Day 3: Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Rai + explore the temples and city Day 4: Drive to Chiang Mai and explore the city and night markets Day 5: More explorations in Chiang Mai Day 6: Fly to Phuket Day 7: Do an Island hopping trip Head home! I spent 16 days in Thailand in March and it was amazing! Could have easily stayed longer. So if you can, plan for longer than 7 days 😉 How would you spend 7 days in Thailand? 👇🏾💬
2 days ago
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5/9
🧳✈️ Where to Travel Month by Month (Shoulder to Late Shoulder Season Edition) 🌍

Plan smarter with this month-by-month shoulder season travel guide! I've rounded up the best countries to visit when the weather is still great - without the tourist rush!

The only anomalies here are the December locations cos of the cold and holidays. But Christmas season in the US can be magical and early December (outside holidays) can be a great time to visit these places. So definitely worth going then if you have a more flexible budget.

Also, July and August are peak months virtually everywhere because of school holidays. So plan for early days or visit lesser known cities and attractions to get the most out of those months 🥰

This is how to travel with fewer crowds, better deals, and epic experiences all year round! 🌤🍃

Did I miss out on any fantastic destination to visit in shoulder season? Let me know below! 👇🏾💬
🧳✈️ Where to Travel Month by Month (Shoulder to Late Shoulder Season Edition) 🌍 Plan smarter with this month-by-month shoulder season travel guide! I've rounded up the best countries to visit when the weather is still great - without the tourist rush! The only anomalies here are the December locations cos of the cold and holidays. But Christmas season in the US can be magical and early December (outside holidays) can be a great time to visit these places. So definitely worth going then if you have a more flexible budget. Also, July and August are peak months virtually everywhere because of school holidays. So plan for early days or visit lesser known cities and attractions to get the most out of those months 🥰 This is how to travel with fewer crowds, better deals, and epic experiences all year round! 🌤🍃 Did I miss out on any fantastic destination to visit in shoulder season? Let me know below! 👇🏾💬
2 days ago
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Is this you?

- You're a Nigerian passport holder 🇳🇬
- Tired of expensive and tasking visa applications 
- Looking to explore somewhere new or build your travel history 
- Exploring Asia soon?

Consider adding Hong Kong 🇭🇰 to your itinerary! HK currently issues evisas to Nigerian citizens and the best part? You pay nothing until it is approved! But be sure to apply early. Because even though the visa is cheap and easy to apply for, it can take a while to be processed!

Happy Travels! 🇭🇰
Is this you? - You're a Nigerian passport holder 🇳🇬 - Tired of expensive and tasking visa applications - Looking to explore somewhere new or build your travel history - Exploring Asia soon? Consider adding Hong Kong 🇭🇰 to your itinerary! HK currently issues evisas to Nigerian citizens and the best part? You pay nothing until it is approved! But be sure to apply early. Because even though the visa is cheap and easy to apply for, it can take a while to be processed! Happy Travels! 🇭🇰
3 days ago
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Staying overnight in Hakone was the best decision I made during my trip to Japan! ⛩️

Lines? What lines??! I rode on the pirate ship without any - plus it was empty. No lines for the cable cars either! The Hakone pass came in handy for that! I visited the open air museum and it was delightful. 

And this shrine and torii? I watched a most gorgeous sunrise over the lake. Just me and a crow! It was magical! ✨️

A day trip from Tokyo is possible but an overnight trip? That's the way to do it!
Staying overnight in Hakone was the best decision I made during my trip to Japan! ⛩️ Lines? What lines??! I rode on the pirate ship without any - plus it was empty. No lines for the cable cars either! The Hakone pass came in handy for that! I visited the open air museum and it was delightful. And this shrine and torii? I watched a most gorgeous sunrise over the lake. Just me and a crow! It was magical! ✨️ A day trip from Tokyo is possible but an overnight trip? That's the way to do it!
3 days ago
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How's this for a hotel send off?🥹
How's this for a hotel send off?🥹
3 days ago
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