Elsamere

Stippled with sisal, yellow fever trees and candelabra euphorbia, this is the former home of the late Joy Adamson of BORN FREE fame. She bought the house in 1967 with her husband George and did much of her painting, writing and conservation work here until her murder in 1980. Guests can attend regular screenings of a flickering 1970s film about Joy’s life and her myriad love affairs, notably with Elsa the lioness.

There’s also a fascinating museum housed in the couple’s former master bedroom, brimming with cloth-bound animal-behaviour manuals, dusty typewriters, photographs and Joy’s art. In the yard, the vehicle in which George was shot dead sits empty. Entry includes high tea (with cakes) on the peaceful lawn, and front-row seats to study the resident black-and-white colobus monkeys. You can also visit the conservation center in the grounds, or even stay here in one of the lovely garden rooms.

Cresent Island

This private island sanctuary can be reached by boat, or by driving across the narrow, swampy causeway from Sanctuary Farm. It’s one of the few places in the Rift Valley where you can walk among giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, impalas and countless bird species. Lucky visitors might even spot a leopard, but don’t count on it. Island walks, led by a guide, last between 90 minutes and three hours. It’s also a good spot for a picnic lunch.

Crater Game Lake Sanctuary

Surrounding a beautiful volcanic crater lake fringed with acacias, this small sanctuary has many trails, including one for hikers along the steep but diminutive crater rim. The jade-green crater lake is held in high regard by the local Maasai, who believe its alkaline waters help soothe ailing cattle. As well as the impressive 150 bird species recorded here, giraffes, zebras and other plains wildlife are also regular residents on the more-open plains surrounding the crater.

Leopards, servals, caracals and aardvarks have also been spotted but are extremely elusive – the night drives on offer are your best bet. Sadly, the lone hippo that once lived here has moved on. While walking, remember that buffaloes lurk in the woods. There are also guided nature walks for those staying at the sanctuary’s rooms.

Lake Oloiden

Lake Naivasha may be a freshwater lake, but it is the alkaline waters of its near neighbor Lake Oloiden that draw small but impressive flocks of flamingos. Boat safaris are available. Apart from anything else, the real appeal here is that it’s one of the few stretches of public land in the area where you can walk near to the lakeshore.