The hype
Guests love the location and the thrill of the hippos, but consistently complain about tired bathrooms and average food.
Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp
$140-220 / nacht
Boek dit als You want the thrill of sleeping under canvas with hippos grazing outside your door, but don't want to pay Masai Mara prices.
Waarom mensen ervan houden
- Hippos literally graze on the lawn at night (electric fence protects you)
- Spacious 'luxury' tents with wooden floors and balconies
- Prime location for boat rides to Crescent Island
Snel Overzicht: It's 'adventure lite'—the canvas walls let in the magic of the wild, but also the noise of the neighboring public beach and the chill of the night.
Beoordeeld door @VeronikaVolchok6785021: I honestly couldn't believe my eyes when I walked out onto the terrace. Seeing giraffes and zebras grazing just a few feet away while the sun came up was the most magical way to start the day. It felt like living in a movie.
Gast die hier verbleef zei
Reality check
The 'luxury' tag is a stretch—think of it as comfortable glamping with worn-around-the-edges amenities.
- You are a family wanting a safe 'safari' experience
- You plan to spend most of your day exploring Hell's Gate or Crescent Island
- You enjoy the sound of nature (and hippos) at night
Schoonmaak & Onderhoud
6.5
- Housekeeping: Hit or miss. Daily service is provided, but attention to detail (dust in corners, cobwebs) is often lacking.
- Bathroom hygiene: The weakest link. Complaints of 'ice room' temperatures, low water pressure, and tired grout/fixtures.
- Maintenance: Showing its age. Zippers on tents can be sticky, and wood floors are worn.
- Linens & towels: Adequate but not luxurious. Towels can be a bit scratchy and graying.
- Odors & scents: Generally fresh air, but occasional whiff of lake swampiness or mustiness in older tents.
Sleepability™
5.5GEMATIGD
0-4LUID
4-7.5GEMATIGD
7.5-10STIL
- Hippos grazing/fighting at night
- Loud music from neighboring Karagita Public Beach (weekends)
- Thin canvas walls offer zero sound insulation
Voordat je boekt
Goed om te weten
- The pool is unheated and often freezing—refreshing in Jan/Feb, brutal in July.
- Boat rides are charged PER BOAT (approx $20-$50), not per person—don't let 'guides' tell you otherwise.
- WiFi is spotty in tents; expect to go to the lounge/bar for a stable signal.
Wat je mee moet nemen
- High-quality earplugs (essential for weekends)
- Warm fleece/jacket (Naivasha nights get surprisingly cold)
- Mosquito repellent (you are on a lake, after all)
- Flashlight/Headlamp (paths are dimly lit)
Kamer Genie
Beste keuzes
- Lake View Tents (higher numbers generally quieter)
- Tents furthest from the reception/public beach side for less noise
Kamers om te vermijden
- Tents 2, 3, and 4 (closest to the noisy public beach/fence)
- Tents near the generator or kitchen path
Kamer Aanvraag Genie – kopiëren en plakken
“I am a light sleeper and requesting a tent as far as possible from the Karagita Public Beach side (avoiding tents 2-4). A direct Lake View is preferred.”
Veelgestelde vragen & Verborgen tips
Alles wat je eigenlijk wilt weten voordat je boekt.
Is it safe with the hippos?
Yes, there is an electric fence separating the tents from the main hippo grazing area, but they come very close. Guards patrol at night to escort you.
Is the food good?
It's a standard buffet. Breakfast is decent (omelette station), but lunch/dinner get mixed reviews. Recent hygiene complaints suggest eating with caution.
Is there AC or heating in the tents?
No AC (not needed). No central heating, but staff place hot water bottles in your bed during turndown service.
Can I swim in the lake?
Absolutely not. The lake is full of hippos and has bilharzia risk. Use the pool.
How far is it from Hell's Gate?
Very close—about a 15-20 minute drive to the Elsa Gate entrance.
Do the tents have power outlets?
Yes, there are charging points, but power can fluctuate. Bring a surge protector if you have sensitive gear.
Tips van Insiders
- ✨
Walk to the jetty at sunrise for the best birdwatching and hippo sightings without the boat fee.
- ✨
Skip the hotel lunch and go to Ranch House Bistro nearby for better food and views.
- ✨
Ask for extra blankets immediately upon check-in; they run out on cold nights.
5 dingen die je moet weten voordat je gaat
💡The 'hot' water is often just 'tepid' due to solar heating struggles.
💡The canvas walls mean you hear your neighbors' conversations clearly.
💡Monkeys can and will enter your tent if you leave the zipper unlatched.
💡The floorboards in some tents are creaky enough to wake you up.
💡Rising lake levels have flooded some old pathways, changing the layout slightly.
Lokaal Playbook
Kaart
Bekijk waar Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp zich bevindt en wat er in de buurt is.