By The Gem Hotel · Prices checked 30 October 2026
A day conference in Naivasha costs between KSh 2,000 and KSh 3,500 per person at venues that publish their prices, and a residential full board conference costs between KSh 7,000 and KSh 9,200 per person per night. Transport from Nairobi, activities and a few easy-to-miss extras sit on top of that, so most teams should budget 20 to 40 percent more than the package price.
This guide breaks down where the money goes, what is usually included, and how to budget honestly before you ask for quotes. We run a conference venue in Naivasha, so we have used published figures from other venues as well as our own.
Key takeaways
- Day packages: roughly KSh 2,000 to KSh 3,500 per person, usually with tea breaks, lunch, water and stationery.
- Residential packages: roughly KSh 7,000 to KSh 9,200 per person per night for full board where prices are published.
- Big extras: transport from Nairobi, activities, single-room supplements and VAT if it is not already included.
- Many large resorts quote on request, so compare like with like by asking for a per-person, per-day figure.
In this guide
- Published price ranges in Naivasha
- What each package type covers
- The costs people forget
- Worked examples with real numbers
- How to keep the cost down
- Frequently asked questions
Published conference prices in Naivasha
Only some Naivasha venues publish conference prices. The ones that do give a useful benchmark. All figures are per person and were checked in late October 2026.
| Venue | Half day | Full day | Full board (per night) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naivasha West Beach Camp | KSh 2,000 | KSh 2,500 | KSh 7,000 |
| The Gem Hotel | KSh 3,000 | KSh 3,500 | KSh 9,200 |
| Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) | Not published | KSh 3,480 | Not published |
| Enashipai, Sopa, Muthu, Morendat | Quote on request | ||
“Quote on request” does not mean expensive. It means you need to ask. For a side-by-side look at capacity and location, see our guide to conference venues in Naivasha.
What each conference package type covers
Package names are similar across Naivasha, but the contents vary. Here is what you can usually expect.
Half day conference
One session, morning or afternoon, with one tea break, lunch, water and stationery. It suits training sessions, board meetings and short workshops where people travel the same day.
Full day conference
The most common booking. It normally includes morning and afternoon tea with snacks, a buffet lunch with a soft drink, drinking water through the day, and pens and notepads. At The Gem the full day package is KSh 3,500 and every hall comes with a projector, screen, PA system, microphones, Wi-Fi and backup power.
Half board conference
The full day package plus an overnight room with breakfast. It works when delegates arrive the night before or when evening meals are planned elsewhere.
Full board conference
The full day package plus dinner, an overnight room and breakfast. This is the simplest way to budget a residential event because almost everything is in one figure.
The conference costs people forget
Most budget overruns come from items that were never in the package. Check each one before you sign.
- Transport. Naivasha is about 90 km from Nairobi, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road. A hired coach or several shuttle vans can add a significant amount per head, especially for small groups. Some venues, including ours, can arrange transport at an extra charge.
- Single-room supplements. Full board prices are often quoted per person in a single room. Twin sharing can lower the cost if your team is comfortable with it.
- VAT and levies. Ask whether the quote is inclusive. A 16 percent difference changes the picture.
- Breakout rooms. Some venues include them, others charge separately.
- Activities. A half-day outing to Hell’s Gate costs KSh 500 per Kenyan adult in park fees, plus KSh 300 for cycling and bike hire, before transport and a guide. Boat rides on the lake usually run around KSh 2,000 to KSh 3,000 per boat per hour at local operators.
- Team building facilitation. If you want a facilitator, budget for that separately unless the package says otherwise.
- Drinks and evening events. Bar tabs and a closing dinner are rarely in the package.
Worked examples: real conference budgets
Example 1: a one-day workshop for 40 people
Forty staff travel from Nairobi for a single day. At The Gem the full day package is 40 × KSh 3,500 = KSh 140,000. Add a coach from Nairobi (get a quote; it is often the second biggest cost) and any optional activity. If transport comes to KSh 60,000, the total is around KSh 200,000, or about KSh 5,000 per person.
Example 2: a two-night retreat for 20 managers
Twenty managers arrive on Monday, work all day, stay two nights on full board and leave after the Wednesday session. Two nights of full board is 20 × KSh 9,200 × 2 = KSh 368,000. The final full day package is 20 × KSh 3,500 = KSh 70,000. The total is KSh 438,000, or KSh 21,900 per person before transport and activities.
Example 3: the same retreat at a lower-cost venue
On Naivasha West Beach Camp’s published rates (KSh 7,000 full board, KSh 2,500 full day), the same retreat comes to 20 × 7,000 × 2 + 20 × 2,500 = KSh 330,000, about KSh 16,500 per person. You save around KSh 108,000. In return you get a tented hall for up to 50 and a lakeside camp setting near Lake Oloiden, further from town. For many teams that is a great trade; for others, indoor halls and hotel rooms matter more.
Example 4: a breakfast meeting for 12
A short morning board meeting with breakfast at The Gem costs 12 × KSh 2,500 = KSh 30,000, with the boardroom, breakfast, tea, water and stationery included.
Pros and cons of choosing the cheapest venue
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lower cost per head, which matters for government and NGO budgets | Smaller halls or tented spaces may not suit formal sessions |
| Often relaxed, outdoor settings that help team bonding | Further from town can mean higher transport costs |
| Simple, published packages make approval easier | Fewer rooms, so large residential groups may need two venues |
How to keep your conference cost down
- Get a per-person, per-day quote from every venue so you are comparing the same thing.
- Book midweek. Weekends and public holidays fill up first.
- Use twin sharing for residential groups where people are comfortable with it.
- Pick a venue that matches your size. Paying for a 300-seat hall when you have 40 people wastes money.
- Bundle transport and activities with the venue where possible; one invoice is easier to approve and often cheaper.
- Think about location. A venue on the highway can save an hour of shuttle time each day compared with one deep along Moi South Lake Road.
If you are planning activities around your sessions, our guides to cycling in Hell’s Gate and things to do in Naivasha will help you price them.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a full day conference in Naivasha?
Published full day packages range from about KSh 2,500 to KSh 3,500 per person as of October 2026, usually including two tea breaks, lunch, water and stationery.
How much is a residential conference in Naivasha?
Where venues publish it, full board conference packages cost about KSh 7,000 to KSh 9,200 per person per night, covering the day package, dinner, a room and breakfast.
Are conference prices in Naivasha inclusive of VAT?
It depends on the venue. Always ask whether a quote includes VAT and any levies, because the difference can be around 16 percent.
Is Naivasha cheaper than Nairobi for conferences?
Day packages are often comparable, but Naivasha adds transport costs. The main advantage is getting your team away from the office, which many organisations find worth the trip.
Planning a conference for up to 100? See our conference halls and packages or call +254 758 824 117.
Prices are as published by each venue or the Kenya Wildlife Service and checked on 30 October 2026. Rates change, so confirm current prices and inclusions before booking. This article is for general planning and is not financial advice.
Sources: venue rates as published on their own websites and compiled by Business Radar (25 October 2026); KWS park fees as listed for 2025/2026.
