If you've read my story of my stay at Olerai House, you know what I think of Oria Hamilton. Well, in addition to my admiration of Oria and her goals, Olerai House is special, too. The food is delicious and the staff's friendliness, I felt, was truly genuine. Lorry Patton

Olerai House is an enchanting flower-covered farm house shaded by yellow acacia trees on the shores of Lake Naivasha in Kenya's Great Rift Valley. It is within easy reach of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya - two hours by road or 20 minutes by plane. Lake Naivasha is conveniently placed between the Masai Mara and Northern Kenya.

The house is in the midst of a green oasis and is a welcome change from the dusty plains for weary travelers during or after their safaris. Olerai House is open all year round. At 6000 ft altitude, there is no malaria.

The property is owned by Oria and Iain Douglas Hamilton, well known for their work with Africa's elephants. While staying at Olerai House you may wander through the Sanctuary to Sirocco House, their home, to share some of their stories. Here you will experience true Kenyan hospitality in elegant surroundings.

Olerai House has five exquisite double rooms with its own bathroom. All are beautifully furnished with natural materials and decorated with local art and colourful fabrics. Oria has added her own touch to the rooms and each has its own special character. Sweet smelling jasmine, home baked biscuits, soft gowns and country flowers welcome you to your rooms.

Olerai lies in the heart of its own private game sanctuary. The surrounding plains and woodlands abound with wild animals and birds. Guests will be able to observe the zebras and antelope gathering to drink at a central waterhole near the house with giraffe nibbling leaves from trees.

Meals at Olerai are a sumptuous affair. Menus are full of farm grown organic vegetables, picked fresh from the estate's gardens, freshly made bread and pasta, succulent farm lamb, lake fish, tropical fruit and Olerai's specially made cheese and icecream.

*Romantic cruise in the African Gondola
*Bird walks in the Game Sanctuary
*Mountain Bike rides
*Hikes in the surrounding hills
*Library of books and wildlife videos
*Sirocco House pool and barbeques

Guests can choose to be as active or relaxed as they like. There are lovely spots in the garden to curl up with a good book or relax on the huge day bed under the flame tree or flop down by the cushioned logs.

Golf, fishing, rock climbing and horse riding nearby can all be arranged at an extra cost.

Excursions can be organised by car or plane to the pink lined shores of Lake Bogoria with its million flamingoes, where we serve poached egg breakfasts cooked in the hot steamjets, which bubble out of the lake. Trips to Lake Nakuru National Park with its rhinos, the spectacular wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara or the Chyulu Hills with Mt.Kilimanjaro in sight, can also be organised. Our Elephant Watch Safaris in Samburu are directly linked with Olerai House.

(Non-Inclusive Rate)

* $340 per double per night
*$255 per single per night
*$102 per child sharing per night
*$60 per guide per night

Fullboard accommodation, all drinks (excluding spirits).
All Olerai based activities, laundry and taxes.
Bird walks, hikes, pool and Sanctuary Fee.
Boat rides and sundowners in our special African Gondola.

(All Inclusive Rate)

*$604 per double per night
*$338 per single per night
*$119 per child sharing per night
*$60 per guide per night

*Fullboard accommodation, all drinks and spirits, laundry, taxes and service charge.
*Excursions with lunch at Crescent Island, Hells Gate, Mt Longonot or Lake Nakuru National Park.
*Park and Sanctuary fees. Horse-riding, golf, walks and hikes.
*Sundowners in the African Gondola.

*$50 per person per night

For more information on Olerai House
oleraihouse@net2000ke.com OR oria@iconnect.co.ke
Olerai House
Nairobi booking office:
Tel:(2542) 242572/334868
Fax : (2542) 243 976