Serena Lodges are about to complete a new luxury lodge on the shores of Lake Elmenteita in the Great Rift valley of Kenya. The lodge, which will have 25 rooms, is situated to the north of a small escarpment with sweeping views out over the lake and of its shores. It is situated in a small reserve of scrub and forest and is only 10 minutes from the main Nairobi – Nakuru highway.
The rooms are all detached, a cross between a traditional rondoval and a luxury safari tent. They are beautifully appointed and each has an ensuite bathroom. All rooms have a private verandah and views down over the lake. As well as these 24 rooms, there is also a suite which offers a living room, hall and perhaps the best views in the camp.
The public areas boast an intimate dining area, both inside and out, plenty of pools and running water, with 
a lounge and bar area. The lawns and gardens run down towards the lake which offers fine views of the flamingos that breed here and the pelicans.
Lake Elmenteita is a small soda lake situated between the larger fresh water lake at Naivasha and the soda lake at Nakuru which is part of Lake Nakuru National Park. It is famous for being the breeding area for the famous flamingos at Nakuru, popular with the birds because of the comparative lack of predators here. The birds fly to Nakuru during the day to feed, before returning to their chicks in the evening to feed them. You also get large flocks of pelicans here, grouping around the inlets of small freshwater streams that run into the lake. There is a small conservation area at Lake Elmentata which is home to various antelope and plain animals, the largest being buffalo. The bird life here is superb.
The lodge is due to open in late May 2011 and Real Africa will be including it in a new Serena circuit of Kenya. Lake Elmenteita makes a perfect base to explore the Lake Nakuru National Park which is a 40 minute drive away from the lodge. It ensures that the onward drive to the Masai Mara, the usual destination following a stay here is shorter and the location makes for a wonderful place to enjoy the bird life and to relax. There is a pool and health spa on site.
