The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort: A Golfer’s Paradise in Naivasha, Kenya’s Scenic Heartland
Kenya is synonymous with thrilling safaris and diverse landscapes, offering everything from the sun-scorched savannahs of the Maasai Mara to the cool, forested slopes of Mount Kenya. But nestled in the heart of the country, on the floor of the world’s most famous geological wonder, lies a different kind of paradise. The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort is an exclusive haven that combines world-class golf with breathtaking scenery and luxurious accommodation, making it an essential stop on any Beyond Kenya Safaris itinerary
An Aerial View of Luxury in Naivasha
Perched at nearly 7,000 feet (2,130m) on the Eburru Range in Naivasha, the resort offers a 360-degree view. From this vantage point, you can gaze over the shimmering waters of Lake Naivasha.
You can also see the dormant crater of Mount Longonot and the Aberdare Mountains. This Naivasha location is not just a place to stay; It is a destination that offers a unique perspective on the Rift Valley. The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort reinforces that experience.
The Resort was voted Kenya’s Best Golf Resort in 2020, a testament to its exceptional facilities and stunning setting.
Accommodation: Rustic Elegance Meets Modern Comfort
Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha offers a diverse range of accommodation to suit every traveler, from couples seeking a romantic getaway to families needing space and privacy.
- Lodge Rooms: Featuring 30 double, twin, and triple rooms, these offer a rustic charm with large four-poster beds and private balconies that perfectly frame the valley views.
- Longonot Villas: For more space, these stylish duplex villas offer deluxe suites and standard rooms with private gardens. They are designed for simple, sophisticated elegance.
- Aberdare Villas: Choose between a Clifftop Villa for breathtaking mountain views or a Garden Villa set within natural landscaped terraces. These 2- and 3-bedroomed villas are perfect for a restorative stay in nature.
- Chalets: Offering gorgeous views over the greens and ranges beyond, these charming, uniquely designed chalets come with fully equipped kitchens and are ideal for friends and family reunions.
The Course: A Championship Challenge at Altitude
The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort’s crown jewel is its 18-hole championship golf course.
Moreover, Thomas Fjastad designed it, and it opened in 2000.
It remains one of Kenya’s longest and most challenging courses.
Tree-lined fairways and several water hazards test even seasoned golfers.
The Signature 17th Hole
The highlight of any round is the par-5 17th hole, the resort’s signature hole. Measuring nearly 600 meters, it is one of the longest holes in the country, demanding power and precision, especially with the wind swirling around the escarpment.
Why Golf Here?
- Breathtaking Scenery: Every shot is played against a backdrop of Lake Naivasha, Mount Longonot, and the sprawling Rift Valley.
- Unique Wildlife: It’s not uncommon to spot zebras grazing on the fairways or a variety of birdlife, including Fischer’s Lovebirds and Egyptian Geese, fluttering by the water features.
- All-Weather Green: The course has a reliable irrigation system and is meticulously maintained, making it a fantastic golfing destination year-round.
- Learner Friendly: For beginners, the resort offers golf classes at affordable prices and has practice putting and chipping greens to develop your skills.
Beyond the Greens: Experiences and Safaris from Naivasha
Great Rift Valley Lodge is not just for golf enthusiasts. It is a perfect base for exploring the wonders of the Rift Valley, and a great addition to a larger safari circuit. Its strategic location in Naivasha places you at the heart of Kenya’s most captivating landscapes.
On-Site Activities
- Safari Drives: Visit nearby Hell’s Gate National Park, famous for its walking safaris and towering cliffs, just 40 minutes from Naivasha. Lake Nakuru National Park, a haven for flamingos and rhinos, is a two-hour drive.
- Nature & Adventure: Guests can enjoy biking, hiking, horse riding, and tennis within the resort grounds. The surrounding Naivasha area is also rich with birdlife, making it a birder’s paradise.
- Relaxation: Unwind in the heated outdoor pool, treat yourself to a massage, or simply relax in the well-landscaped gardens with a drink while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
Beyond Kenya Safaris’ Rift Valley Circuit
The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort is a vital part of the safari circuit. Additionally, it is offered by Beyond Kenya Safaris.
Its central location in Naivasha makes it an ideal stopover. Between the Maasai Mara and destinations like Samburu or the Aberdares, it works well. We recommend combining your stay here with visits to our other partner properties. This helps you experience the full diversity of Kenya’s Rift Valley.
A Heritage of Hospitality: Sister Properties of Heritage Hotels East Africa
The Great Rift Valley Lodge is part of the prestigious Heritage Hotels East Africa collection, a renowned group with over 20 years of experience in offering exceptional first-class service. The portfolio is strategically located across Kenya’s key tourism hotspots, from the coast to wildlife conservancies. Beyond this Naivasha gem, the group’s iconic properties include:
The Famous Intrepids Camps
Experience classic safari luxury at the Mara Intrepids Camp in the Maasai Mara, recently honored by Condé Nast Traveler readers as a top Kenyan property, or the Samburu Intrepids Camp in the dramatic northern landscapes. Both offer family-friendly tents and secluded honeymoon options.
Voyager Beach & Bush Resorts
For a coastal escape, the group offers the Voyager beach Resort in Mombasa and the Voyager Ziwani Camp in Tsavo, blending beach relaxation with bush adventure.
Exclusive Explorers and Eco-Lodges
For a more intimate experience, consider the five-star Mara Explorer Camp, the idyllic island hideaway of Kipungani Explorer in Lamu, or the eco-luxury of Kizingo Eco Lodge.
Discover the Wildlife Wonders of Lake Nakuru
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is a fantastic complement to your stay in Naivasha. Tucked away on the “Lion Hill” in Lake Nakuru National Park, this lodge offers classic safari aesthetics and unmatched views of the lake. It’s the perfect base to witness the park’s famous pink flamingos and spot the endangered black rhino on a thrilling game drive.
More Rift Valley Safari Lodges and Camps
- Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp: Offers exclusive tented accommodation near the shores of Lake Elmenteita, a sanctuary for birdlife and a short drive from the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha.
- Mbweha Camp: A luxurious, eco-friendly camp set in a private conservancy near Lake Nakuru, offering a more intimate safari experience with fantastic game viewing.
- Egret Savannah Camp: For a classic tented camp feel, this is a superb choice for exploring the rich wildlife of the Lake Nakuru region.
Plan Your Stay at This Naivasha Gem
The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort is located just 90 minutes from Nairobi in Naivasha and is easily accessible via the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
Making a Booking
- Green Fees: For visitors, green fees are Ksh 3,500 on weekdays and Ksh 5,000 on weekends. Guests staying at the resort in Naivasha enjoy a significantly reduced rate.
- Check-in/Out: Check-in is from 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM, and check-out is from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM.
Why Choose Beyond Kenya Safaris?
At Beyond Kenya Safaris, we curate bespoke travel experiences that combine the best of Kenya’s attractions. By choosing to visit the Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort in Naivasha with us, you’ll have seamless access to our network of sister properties, ensuring a well-rounded and unforgettable safari adventure.
Contact us today to build your perfect Kenya itinerary, and let us show you the best of Naivasha and the Rift Valley!
Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort Rates
East African Resident Rates in Kenya Shillings
| Lodge Rooms | Executive Rooms | |||||
| Single | Double | Triple | Child | Single | Double | |
| High:-1-30 June | 18,300 | 24,400 | 34,160 | 6,100 | 28,600 | 37,600 |
| Peak–1 July-31 October 2025 | 19,950 | 26,600 | 37,240 | 6,650 | 29,850 | 39,800 |
| High:-1 Nov-22 Dec 2025 | 18,300 | 24,400 | 34,160 | 6,100 | 28,600 | 37,600 |
| Festival:-23 December-2 January 2026 | 24,300 | 32,400 | 35,360 | 8,100 | 36,400 | 48,600 |
Child Policy
- 2Adults+ 1Child= Double rate 50% of half double rate.
- 1 Adult+1child= Single rate1 Adult 2 Children Double Rate
- 2 Children sharing own room 75% of double rate 3 Children sharing own room Double Rate
- 1 Child in own room Single rate
All rates quoted are subject to increase depending on taxes and government levies.
Non Resident Rates in US$
| Lodge/ Twin Villa | Junior Sulte | |||
| Dates | Double | Single | Double | Single |
| High:2 Jan-31 March 2026 | 440 | 330 | 890 | 670 |
| Low: I April-30 June 2026 | 365 | 275 | 815 | 610 |
| Peak:1 July-31 October 2026 | 550 | 415 | 950 | 710 |
| High:1 Nov-22 Dec 2026 | 440 | 330 | 890 | 670 |
| Festive: 23 Dec-1 Jan 2027 | 485 | 365 | 855 | 645 |
The rates includes: Early morning teat coffee, breakfast, Lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, VAT., catering Levy and service charge
Net Included: Room service charges, laundry, d rinks, extra meals and packed lunch boxes and transport
PLEASE NOTE
- Adventurers’ Club membership is flee for children between the ages of 4-18 years and offers educational and eco-friendly activities at all our properties
- Young Rangers’ course available at Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort
- All prices are quoted in in US Dollars and are subject to change with no prior notice depending on toes, government levies and fug increment.
Cancellation and Reduction in Number Policy;
- For accommodation canceled or reduced in number between 60 and 46 days, from noon on the date of accommodation, 20% of the total colts will be charged.
- For accommodation canceled or reduced in number between 46 and 36 days tern noon from the date of accommodation, 36% of the total costs will be charged.
- For accommodation canceled or reduced in number between a days and 31 days from noon on the date of accommodation, 60% of the total costs will be charged.
- For accommodation canceled or reduced in number between 30 days and a no show 100% of the total. costs will be charged
Nearby Attractions
- Lake Naivasha – boat rides, birdwatching, hippo viewing
- Hell’s Gate National Park – rock climbing, cycling, and geothermal springs
- Mount Longonot – day hikes to the crater rim
- Crescent Island – walking safaris among giraffes and zebras
- Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary – private game drives and bush walks
Getting There
- By Road: Around 2 hours from Nairobi via the Mai Mahiu or Naivasha routes.
- By Air: Charter flights land at the resort’s private airstrip, with transfers arranged by the lodge.
View Gallery
Similar Options Nearby
- Enashipai Resort & Spa – luxury wellness retreat on Lake Naivasha
- Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge – family-friendly lodge with wildlife in the gardens
- Naivasha Kongoni Lodge – intimate cottages with lake access
- Chui Lodge – boutique luxury lodge inside a private wildlife sanctuary
The Great Rift Valley Lodge offers 21 twin and 9 double rooms, all with private balconies overlooking the spectacular expanse of the Rift Valley.