By The Gem Hotel · Prices checked 30 October 2026
Where you stay in Naivasha depends on why you are going. For business trips, conferences and short stays, stay in or near town along the Naivasha–Nakuru highway, where you are close to shops, banks and quick routes back to Nairobi. For wildlife, boat rides and a getaway feel, stay on the lake along Moi South Lake Road. For camping and budget lakeside stays, look at the quieter Lake Oloiden area further south.
We are a hotel on the highway at the Delamere interchange, so we are not neutral. That is why this guide is honest about where we are not the best choice, too.
Key takeaways
- Town and highway: best for work, conferences, short stays and easy access. No lake views.
- Moi South Lake Road: best for wildlife and resort stays. Further from town and services.
- Lake Oloiden and Kongoni: best for camping and quiet lakeside budget stays. About 30 km from town.
- North Lake Road: quieter, with training centres and golf. You need a car.
- Typical bed and breakfast: roughly KSh 5,500 to KSh 12,500 per room per night at the places quoted here.
In this guide
- The four main areas
- Areas compared
- Which area suits you
- What it costs
- Booking tips
- Frequently asked questions
The four main areas to stay in Naivasha
1. Naivasha town and the Nakuru highway
Naivasha town sits on the A104 between Nairobi and Nakuru, about 90 km from Nairobi. Hotels here and along the highway are the most convenient base. You can walk to supermarkets, banks and pharmacies, and the drive back to Nairobi starts straight onto the main road.
The Gem Hotel is on the highway at the Delamere interchange, about a 10-minute walk from Buffalo Mall. We have 30 rooms, a restaurant, a lounge bar and seven conference halls. Panorama Park Hotel is another option close to town, on the Mai Mahiu side.
The honest downside: no lake views, and the lake and Hell’s Gate are a drive away. From our hotel, Lake Naivasha is about 13 minutes by car and Hell’s Gate about 33 minutes.
2. Moi South Lake Road (the lakeside)
This road runs along the southern shore of Lake Naivasha and is home to most of the big resorts and lodges, plus several camps. You are close to boat rides, Crescent Island and Hell’s Gate, and many properties have gardens running down to the water where hippos come out at night.
The honest downside: it can be a long drive back to town for supplies, and evening traffic on the road is slow. Many resorts here quote prices on request rather than publishing them.
3. Lake Oloiden and Kongoni
Lake Oloiden is a smaller lake next to Lake Naivasha, further along the southern shore near Kongoni. It is quieter, more rural and popular for camping. Naivasha West Beach Camp sits next to Lake Oloiden, about 30 km from Naivasha town, with tented rooms, camping, a pool and a conference hall for up to 50.
The honest downside: distance. It is a long way from town and from the highway back to Nairobi.
4. Moi North Lake Road
The northern side of the lake is quieter and less developed. It is home to training centres such as Morendat, about 12 km from town, and estates on the escarpment. It suits residential trainings and people who want space, but you will need your own transport.
Naivasha areas compared
| Town / highway | Moi South Lake Road | Lake Oloiden | North Lake Road | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Work, conferences, short stays | Wildlife, resort breaks | Camping, quiet budget stays | Trainings, space |
| Lake views | No | Often | Yes | Some |
| Walk to shops | Yes | No | No | No |
| Drive to Nairobi | Shortest | Longer | Longest | Longer |
| Prices published | Often | Often on request | Often | Mixed |
Which area suits you?
- Conference or workshop: town and highway. Delegates arrive faster and day guests do not face long shuttles.
- Business trip: town. Reliable Wi-Fi, a desk, and banks and shops nearby.
- Couple’s weekend: Moi South Lake Road for a resort, or town if you plan to explore by car.
- Family with young children: a lakeside property with a garden, or a town hotel close to amenities.
- Campers and budget travellers: Lake Oloiden.
- Passing through to Nakuru or the Mara: town, right on your route.
What it costs to stay in Naivasha
Here are published room rates, bed and breakfast, from two properties that list them openly. Prices per room per night as of 30 October 2026.
| Property and room | Single | Double |
|---|---|---|
| The Gem Hotel, Standard | KSh 5,500 | KSh 7,500 |
| The Gem Hotel, Deluxe | KSh 7,000 | KSh 9,000 |
| The Gem Hotel, Executive | KSh 10,000 | KSh 12,500 |
| Naivasha West Beach Camp, Standard tented room | KSh 6,000 | KSh 9,000 |
| Naivasha West Beach Camp, Deluxe tented room | KSh 8,000 | KSh 11,000 |
Camping is cheaper still: West Beach Camp lists a 2-person camping tent at KSh 3,600 and camping with your own gear at KSh 700 per person.
Worked example: two nights for a couple
A Deluxe double at The Gem for two nights on bed and breakfast is 2 × KSh 9,000 = KSh 18,000. A Standard tented double at West Beach Camp for two nights is also 2 × KSh 9,000 = KSh 18,000. The price is the same; the experience is not. One puts you on the highway near town, the other in a tent by a quiet lake 30 km away. Choose the setting that matches your trip.
Where to stay for a conference or work trip
If you are in Naivasha for work, the question is less “where is prettiest?” and more “where will I lose the least time?”. A few practical points decide it.
- Stay where you meet. If your conference is at a lakeside resort on Moi South Lake Road, staying in town means a daily drive of 20 minutes or more each way. If the meeting is in town or on the highway, the reverse is true. Sleeping at the venue removes the problem entirely.
- Think about the drive home. Delegates heading back to Nairobi after the last session will thank you for a venue near the highway. The Gem is at the Delamere interchange, so you are on the Nairobi road within minutes.
- Check the workspace in the room. A desk, reliable Wi-Fi and enough sockets matter more on a work trip than a view. Ask before you book.
- Look for backup power. Short outages happen. A hotel with a generator keeps your Wi-Fi, lights and presentations running.
For a town-side option with a pool and gym, Panorama Park Hotel on Mama Ngini Drive is close to the wildlife training institute. On the highway, The Gem gives you quick access to the Nairobi and Nakuru roads and Buffalo Mall, with seven conference halls on site. If the lake is part of the point, the resorts and camps along Moi South Lake Road are the place to be, as long as you budget for the extra driving.
Planning for a whole group? Our guide to conference venues in Naivasha compares capacity and published prices, and this cost guide shows what a residential event really costs.
Getting around Naivasha once you arrive
Naivasha is spread out. Town, the highway hotels and the lake shore are each a short drive apart, but too far to walk comfortably between, especially after dark. Here is how people get around.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Your own car | Flexibility, day trips to Hell’s Gate or the lake | Parking is easy at most hotels. Roads to the lake are tarmac. |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | Evenings out, short hops into town | Agree the fare first if the driver is not on an app. |
| Hired driver for the day | Visitors without a car doing several sights | Your hotel can usually arrange one. |
| Matatu | Budget travel along main roads | Cheap and frequent, but slow for sightseeing. |
| Boda boda (motorbike taxi) | Very short trips | Fast but less safe; insist on a helmet. |
Where you stay shapes which of these you will need. A lakeside stay with no car means relying on taxis for every trip into town. A highway or town stay puts shops, banks and restaurants within a short ride, with the lake 20 to 30 minutes away for day trips.
Pros and cons of staying near town
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast access to Nairobi and Nakuru | No lake views |
| Shops, banks and restaurants close by | Highway noise near some properties |
| Usually clear, published prices | Activities need a short drive |
| Easy for conferences and day delegates | Less of a getaway feel |
Booking tips for Naivasha
- Book early for weekends and holidays. Naivasha is a favourite Nairobi getaway, and Easter, August and December fill up.
- Check what “full board” includes. Some places include drinks or activities, most do not.
- Ask about child rates. Many hotels let young children share free. At The Gem, children under three stay free and children aged 3 to 12 pay 50 percent when sharing with an adult.
- Factor in transport. A cheaper lakeside room can cost more overall if you drive back and forth to town.
- Read the cancellation terms. Especially for group bookings.
Planning your days? See things to do in Naivasha, our Hell’s Gate guide and our rooms.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best area to stay in Naivasha?
It depends on your trip. Town and the highway suit business and conferences; Moi South Lake Road suits wildlife and resort stays; Lake Oloiden suits camping and quiet budget stays.
How far is Naivasha from Nairobi?
About 90 km, usually 1.5 to 2 hours by road depending on traffic.
How much is a hotel in Naivasha per night?
Published bed and breakfast rates at the properties in this guide range from about KSh 5,500 for a single room to KSh 12,500 for an executive double, as of October 2026. Camping starts lower.
Is it better to stay in Naivasha town or by the lake?
Stay in town for convenience, work and short stays. Stay by the lake if wildlife, views and a resort feel matter more than access to shops and the highway.
Is it better to stay in Naivasha town or by the lake?
Stay by the lake if the view and lake activities are the point of your trip. Stay in town or on the highway if you want shorter drives, easy access to shops and a quicker trip back to Nairobi.
Do I need a car in Naivasha?
Not essential, but helpful. Town, highway hotels and the lake are a short drive apart, so without a car you will rely on taxis or a hired driver for sightseeing.
See our rooms and rates or call +254 758 824 117.
Rates are as published by each property and checked on 30 October 2026. Prices change, so confirm when you book.