The African village tucked away in a jungle

Tucked away in the savannah-like area with beautiful acacia trees and shrubs, Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge is among the resorts that are transforming a dusty town into a home of serenity.

I left Nairobi one morning to attend a wedding and enjoy a short vacation. The noisy Naivasha town says little of the hidden gem that is a few kilometres away. With its cylindrical-shaped cottages, it’s a luxurious African village tucked away in a jungle.

The cottages have wooden roofing that forms an inverted-V at the top, making them appear like huts, but with a modern touch. The wide windows provide a splendid view of what appears like a vast savannah forest —complete with grass, cactus, acacia shrubs and trees —separating the cottages from the reception and swimming pool areas.

The soothing sounds of chirping birds and swaying trees provide good music to a tired soul. Cheeky monkeys jumping from one tree to another offer a rare spectacle.

As nature lovers take an adventurous tour through this savannah —be it on foot or horse back—they encounter various wild animals such as waterbucks and giraffes that seem unshaken by strangers. The animals easily interact with people; we are all in the ‘jungle’ and not fighting for territorial boundaries.

But at night, visitors are advised to stay indoors and request for an escort in case they need to leave the room. The roaming hippos from Lake Naivasha come into the lodge at night in search of pasture.

Although relatively calm, the hippos can get anxious and sense danger when people move close to them, making them attack. If you’re a hippo lover, take a boat ride to watch them. While there, you can also watch flamingos and do some fishing.