Great Rift Valley Lodge

Set high above the floor of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort is a distinctive highland retreat overlooking Lake Naivasha, Mount Longonot and the surrounding Rift Valley landscape. Located on the Eburru range at approximately 7,000 feet above sea level, the lodge combines panoramic scenery, comfortable accommodation, outdoor recreation and an 18-hole championship golf course. It is an excellent choice for travellers looking for a peaceful getaway from Nairobi, a stopover between Kenya’s major safari destinations or a relaxing base from which to explore the Naivasha region.

The elevated setting gives Great Rift Valley Lodge a character that is quite different from the lakeside resorts found closer to Naivasha town. From the property, views extend across Lake Naivasha towards the volcanic silhouette of Mount Longonot, while the Aberdare Mountains and surrounding highlands create an impressive backdrop. The combination of cool mountain air, open landscapes and extensive grounds makes the lodge particularly appealing to guests who want scenery and outdoor experiences alongside their accommodation.

Great Rift Valley Lodge at a Glance

Location: North Lake Road, Naivasha, Kenya
Setting: Eburru highlands overlooking the Great Rift Valley
Elevation: Approximately 7,000 feet / 2,130 metres above sea level
Main views: Lake Naivasha, Mount Longonot, Eburru Hills and Aberdare Mountains
Accommodation: Lodge rooms, villas and chalets
Golf: 18-hole championship golf course
Facilities: Swimming pool, children’s pool, tennis courts, restaurants, lounge bar, gym and recreational facilities
Activities: Golf, tennis, cycling, birdwatching, boating, nature walks, horse riding and excursions around Naivasha
Board options: Full board for lodge rooms and Longonot Villas; chalets may offer self-catering or restaurant dining
Access: Approximately 90 minutes by road from Nairobi, with an airstrip at the property
Ideal for: Couples, families, golfers, leisure travellers, birdwatchers, corporate retreats and safari stopovers

The Setting and Character of Great Rift Valley Lodge

The setting is one of the defining features of Great Rift Valley Lodge. Perched on the slopes of the Eburru highlands, the property sits well above the surrounding Rift Valley floor. The altitude brings cooler temperatures than many lower-lying destinations while creating expansive views over one of Kenya’s most recognisable landscapes. From different points around the lodge, guests can look towards Lake Naivasha, Mount Longonot, the Eburru Hills and the Aberdare ranges.

The atmosphere is relaxed and spacious, with extensive grounds providing room for leisure activities, walks and family experiences. Rather than being designed purely as a place to sleep between excursions, Great Rift Valley Lodge works as a destination in its own right. Guests can spend a morning on the golf course, enjoy lunch overlooking the valley, take part in outdoor activities or simply settle into the cooler highland environment.

Its location also makes the lodge particularly practical for itineraries combining different parts of Kenya. The property has traditionally been positioned as a convenient stopover between destinations such as the Masai Mara and Samburu, while its proximity to Lake Naivasha makes it easy to include boating, birdwatching and visits to nearby conservation and geological attractions.

Accommodation at Great Rift Valley Lodge

Accommodation at Great Rift Valley Lodge is designed around the surrounding landscape, with options suitable for couples, families and travellers looking for additional space. Lodge rooms are spacious and garden-facing, with handmade wooden furnishings that complement the property’s natural setting. Some accommodation options provide additional living or dining areas, kitchens and balconies with views towards the Rift Valley.

The lodge also offers villas and chalets for guests who prefer more independent accommodation. Longonot Villas provide a more spacious option for families or groups, while the chalets can be arranged on a self-catering basis or with meals taken at the main lodge restaurant. This flexibility makes Great Rift Valley Lodge suitable for both short leisure stays and longer family holidays.

Rooms and villas are complemented by the property’s highland setting, allowing guests to enjoy fresh air, landscaped surroundings and views rather than an enclosed urban environment. The accommodation is particularly well suited to travellers who value space and access to outdoor facilities.

Golf at Great Rift Valley Lodge

Golf is one of the signature experiences at Great Rift Valley Lodge. The resort features an 18-hole championship golf course situated at approximately 7,000 feet above sea level. The elevated terrain and surrounding views give a round of golf a distinctly scenic character, while the course provides an activity for both dedicated golfers and guests looking to try something different during their stay.

The golf facilities include a driving range, practice greens and a pro shop, allowing golfers to spend anything from a short practice session to a full day on the course. The combination of golf and panoramic Rift Valley scenery is one of the reasons Great Rift Valley Lodge has long been associated with golf tourism in Kenya.

Things to Do at Great Rift Valley Lodge

A stay at Great Rift Valley Lodge can be as active or relaxed as guests wish. Golf and tennis provide structured recreational activities within the property, while the surrounding highlands and Lake Naivasha region open up opportunities for nature-based experiences.

Golf and Tennis

The 18-hole championship golf course is the property’s principal sporting attraction, while two clay tennis courts provide another option for active guests. These facilities make the lodge particularly suitable for travellers who prefer accommodation where recreational activities are available without needing to leave the property.

Swimming and Relaxation

The lodge has a panoramic swimming pool with a dedicated sunbathing area as well as a children’s pool. After a morning of golf, cycling or sightseeing, guests can return to the pool for a quieter afternoon. Families can also make use of the children’s facilities while enjoying the spacious grounds.

Birdwatching and Nature Walks

The Naivasha region is particularly attractive to birdwatchers, while the nearby Eburru Forest provides opportunities for guided walks and nature experiences. The lodge’s activities have included escorted game and bird walks around the forest, allowing visitors to experience the highland environment beyond the landscaped resort grounds.

Lake Naivasha Experiences

Lake Naivasha is an important attraction close to the lodge. Guests can arrange boating and birdwatching excursions on the lake, where the freshwater environment supports a variety of birdlife and other wildlife. The surrounding area also provides opportunities to explore attractions such as Crescent Island, Hell’s Gate and other Rift Valley destinations.

Cycling and Horse Riding

For active travellers, the wider area offers cycling and horse-riding experiences. The lodge’s activity programme has included guided horse riding and mountain-bike safaris, providing alternative ways to explore the landscapes around Naivasha.

Astronomy and Highland Skies

The highland setting also lends itself to evening experiences. The lodge has offered astronomy activities with resident naturalists, giving guests an opportunity to learn about the night sky away from the bright lights of major urban centres.

Family Experiences at Great Rift Valley Lodge

Great Rift Valley Lodge is well suited to family holidays because the property combines spacious accommodation with activities designed for different age groups. Children can enjoy the swimming pool, children’s pool and organised recreational experiences, while older children can take part in activities associated with the Young Rangers programme. The lodge has also offered the Adventurers’ Club for children aged 3–11 and the Young Rangers Club for ages 12–17.

This makes the lodge particularly useful for families travelling through the Rift Valley who want more than a simple overnight stop. Parents can enjoy golf, nature and relaxation while children have age-appropriate activities to keep them engaged.

Dining at Great Rift Valley Lodge

Dining at Great Rift Valley Lodge is centred around the property’s restaurants, which provide a mixture of homemade cuisine and continental-style meals. Breakfast and lunch can feature a more relaxed continental approach, while evening dining may include themed buffet options and a broader selection of dishes.

The lodge also has a lounge bar with a terrace where guests can enjoy drinks and take in the surrounding scenery. The elevated position makes the terrace particularly appealing in the late afternoon, when the changing light across the Rift Valley adds another dimension to the views.

For guests staying in lodge rooms and Longonot Villas, the standard board arrangement is generally full board, covering accommodation and three meals daily. Guests staying in chalets can have the flexibility of self-catering or dining at the lodge restaurant, with meals charged according to consumption.

Great Rift Valley Lodge for Couples

Couples visiting Great Rift Valley Lodge can combine peaceful highland accommodation with outdoor activities and scenic experiences. A day might begin with breakfast overlooking the valley, followed by a round of golf or a visit to Lake Naivasha. The afternoon can be spent beside the swimming pool before returning to the lounge terrace for drinks as the surrounding landscape changes colour.

The lodge is also suitable for couples who want to incorporate Naivasha into a wider Kenya itinerary. Its location allows travellers to experience the Rift Valley before continuing towards destinations such as the Masai Mara or other safari regions.

Great Rift Valley Lodge for Golf Holidays

For travellers planning a dedicated golf escape in Kenya, Great Rift Valley Lodge offers the advantage of combining accommodation, an 18-hole championship course and additional recreational facilities in one destination. The high-altitude location gives the golfing experience a distinctive setting, with views across the Rift Valley accompanying the course.

The property can therefore work for both golf-focused holidays and mixed-interest trips where one traveller wants to play while others enjoy the pool, tennis, nature walks or nearby attractions.

Exploring Naivasha from Great Rift Valley Lodge

Although Great Rift Valley Lodge offers plenty to do within the property, its location also provides access to some of the most interesting attractions in the Naivasha region. Lake Naivasha is the obvious starting point, with boating and birdwatching among the most popular activities.

Hell’s Gate National Park is another worthwhile excursion, particularly for travellers interested in walking, cycling and dramatic volcanic scenery. Crescent Island offers a different wildlife experience, while Lake Nakuru National Park can be incorporated into a longer day of exploration depending on the itinerary.

The wider Rift Valley also provides opportunities to visit other lakes and bird-rich environments, including Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria. The lodge’s established position as a stopover between major safari destinations makes it practical for travellers who want to break up longer overland journeys.

Great Rift Valley Lodge as a Safari Stopover

One of the practical advantages of Great Rift Valley Lodge is its position within a wider Kenya safari circuit. Travellers moving between Nairobi, the Rift Valley, the Masai Mara and northern Kenya can use the lodge as a comfortable overnight stop or as a two-night leisure break.

Instead of moving directly between safari destinations, a stay here introduces a different side of Kenya: highland scenery, golf, lake experiences, birdwatching and relaxed resort time. This makes it particularly useful for itineraries where guests want a balance between intensive game drives and quieter leisure days.

Getting to Great Rift Valley Lodge

Great Rift Valley Lodge is located along North Lake Road in Naivasha, approximately 90 minutes by road from Nairobi under normal conditions. The property also has its own airstrip, providing an alternative for travellers using chartered or scheduled safari flights.

For safari itineraries, road access makes the lodge convenient when travelling through the Rift Valley, while the airstrip can be particularly useful for guests connecting the lodge with other safari destinations.

Climate and Best Time to Visit

Because Great Rift Valley Lodge sits at approximately 7,000 feet above sea level, temperatures are generally cooler than in lower-lying parts of Kenya. Mornings and evenings can feel particularly fresh, so a light jacket or warm layer is useful, especially for early-morning activities.

The lodge can be visited throughout the year. The best timing depends on the activities planned. Golfers and leisure travellers can enjoy the property year-round, while birdwatchers may prefer periods when bird activity is particularly rewarding. Guests combining the lodge with a broader Kenya safari can also plan their stay around the seasonal conditions of the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru or other destinations on their route.

How Many Nights at Great Rift Valley Lodge?

For most travellers, Great Rift Valley Lodge works well as a one- or two-night stay. One night is sufficient for guests using the property primarily as a stopover between destinations. Two nights allow enough time to enjoy the golf course, pool, surrounding views and one or two Naivasha excursions without making the stay feel rushed.

Golfers, families and guests looking for a dedicated highland retreat may prefer three nights, particularly if they want to combine golf with boating, birdwatching, cycling or visits to nearby attractions.

Great Rift Valley Lodge vs a Lakeside Naivasha Stay

The main distinction is setting. Many Naivasha properties place guests close to the lake itself, while Great Rift Valley Lodge is positioned high above the Rift Valley. This gives the lodge expansive elevated views and a cooler highland atmosphere.

It is therefore particularly suited to travellers looking for golf, panoramic scenery, spacious grounds and resort-style recreation. A lakeside property may be more appropriate for travellers whose primary interest is immediate access to the lake, while Great Rift Valley Lodge provides a broader highland retreat experience.

Responsible and Nature-Based Experiences

The natural surroundings are an important part of the Great Rift Valley Lodge experience. Activities such as birdwatching, nature walks and excursions around Lake Naivasha encourage guests to experience the landscape beyond the resort itself.

The lodge’s proximity to the Eburru Forest and the wider Rift Valley also provides opportunities to appreciate Kenya’s highland ecosystems. For travellers interested in nature rather than only conventional game viewing, this part of the Rift Valley provides a useful addition to a safari itinerary.

Great Rift Valley Lodge Cost

Rates at Great Rift Valley Lodge vary according to accommodation type, season, occupancy and board arrangement. Lodge rooms and Longonot Villas generally operate on a full-board basis, while chalet accommodation can offer self-catering flexibility. Because rates change throughout the year, the most accurate quotation should be based on the traveller’s dates, number of guests and preferred accommodation category.

For safari clients, accommodation can also be incorporated into a complete Kenya itinerary, allowing transport, activities, park visits and additional accommodation to be coordinated as one journey.

Why Stay at Great Rift Valley Lodge?

A stay at Great Rift Valley Lodge is about experiencing Kenya’s Great Rift Valley from an elevated and exceptionally scenic setting. The lodge combines expansive views with comfortable accommodation, an 18-hole golf course, swimming pools, tennis, nature experiences and convenient access to Lake Naivasha.

It is particularly attractive for travellers who want to slow down between safari destinations, families looking for a property with recreational facilities, golfers seeking a scenic course or couples wanting a peaceful highland escape. Its position also makes it a practical addition to itineraries connecting Nairobi with the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and northern Kenya.

Why Book Great Rift Valley Lodge with Afrikan Accent Adventures?

Booking Great Rift Valley Lodge through Afrikan Accent Adventures allows the stay to be integrated into a professionally planned Kenya itinerary rather than treated as an isolated hotel reservation. We can combine the lodge with Lake Naivasha excursions, Lake Nakuru, Hell’s Gate, the Masai Mara, Amboseli or other destinations according to the traveller’s interests and available time.

Our team can also coordinate road transfers, safari vehicles, accommodation, park visits and activities so that each part of the journey connects smoothly. For travellers using Great Rift Valley Lodge as a safari stopover, we can position the stay between destinations to reduce unnecessary driving and create a more comfortable rhythm throughout the trip.

Plan Your Stay at Great Rift Valley Lodge

A well-planned stay at Great Rift Valley Lodge can combine leisure, nature and safari experiences in one section of a Kenya itinerary. Golfers may want to allow additional time for the course, while families can benefit from two or more nights to enjoy the property’s recreational facilities. Travellers using the lodge as a stopover can comfortably combine an overnight stay with a short Naivasha excursion before continuing their safari.

Whether you are planning a romantic Rift Valley escape, a family holiday, a golf break or a multi-destination Kenya safari, the lodge provides a scenic base from which to experience this remarkable part of the country.

Final Thoughts

Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort offers a distinctive combination of highland scenery, comfortable accommodation, outdoor recreation and access to the attractions of Naivasha. Its elevated position provides sweeping views across Lake Naivasha, Mount Longonot and the surrounding Rift Valley, while the 18-hole championship golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts and nature activities give guests plenty of reasons to spend time within the property.

For travellers exploring Kenya beyond the traditional safari circuit, Great Rift Valley Lodge provides an opportunity to experience the country’s landscapes from a different perspective. Whether used as a relaxing weekend retreat, a family destination, a golf escape or a stop between safari parks, it adds a comfortable highland chapter to a Kenya journey.