Candlelit Dinners with the Leopards of Chui Lodge- The Dream Wildlife Experience
Chui Lodge is a beautiful property artistically designed by June Zwager. It was built within the privately-owned Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary one of the Best conservancy in Naivasha, in the 1990s. The Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary is an 18000-acre ranch located in Kenya’s central Great Rift Valley, west of the Aberdare ranges and northeast of Mau Escarpment.
The Conservancy touches the shores of Lake Naivasha and extends to the Mau Escarpment. Its Leleshwa forests are home to a large number of leopards. The abundance of leopards in the sanctuary led to the name adoption of “Chui Lodge.” Lapieve Limited owns and manages the establishment.
Chui Lodge Location and accessibility
Chui Lodge is located in Kongoni, Naivasha, at the furthest point of Moi South Lake Road. Chui Lodge is accessible by road and air. If traveling from Nairobi Kenya, it will take you two and a half hours by road and a 30-minute flight from Wilson Airport or JKIA to Loldia/Oserian Airstrip.
A road trip from Masai Mara will take you 4 hours 15 minutes, while a flight from Masai Mara to Naivasha will take 45 minutes. A flight from Mombasa to Naivasha will average one and a half hours. Driving from Nanyuki will take you about 5 hours 25 minutes.
What is Chui Lodge Famous for?
Home of the big cats and other unique game animals
Leopards are surprisingly the most elusive big cats in the African savanna. These spotted carnivores are admired for their impeccable hunting skills, resilience, and beauty.
While their influence at the African savanna is felt to the core, spotting them in large numbers is quite a challenge. However, with the right location and guided tours, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the leopards as they hunt and fend for their young ones. The most famous spot for viewing leopards in the Great Rift Valley is Chui Lodge.
The indigenous forest surrounding the lodge showcases diverse flora and fauna. You can easily spot buffalos, Grevy zebra, Masai giraffe, leopards, bat-eared foxes, and Aardvark. There are over 400 bird species like the African fish eagle, Somali ostrich, Narina trogon, grey crested helmet shrike, and the rufous crowned roller.
Tastefully designed cottages
Chui Lodge is known for its superior accommodation facilities that are cozy and luxurious. The lodge has 8 stunning cottages individually designed with four-poster king-size beds, a log fireplace, and luxurious ensuite bathrooms having marble basin tops and jacuzzis.
These cottages are set in well-manicured gardens, whose grass is well-shadowed by the acacia trees. The acacia trees bring a cool breeze that counters the hot sun’s rays.
From the comfort of your verandah, you can see the Mau Escarpment and wild animals as they come to drink from the nearby water hole. It is fun tracking tortoise movement in the garden.
Chui Lodge facilities
Within Chui Lodge, there are eight luxurious cottages; 5 standard and 3 deluxe cottages. The eight standalone cottages can accommodate a maximum of 22 guests. The cottages are children-friendly and user-friendly for disabled persons. You can access Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, spa services, telephone (internal and external phone calls), and child-minding services. The rooms are fitted with safes, showers, bathtubs, telephones, room heaters, fans, hairdryers, and a minibar.
After a long day of exploring wildlife in the sanctuary on foot, a boat ride, or a game drive, the swimming pool is an excellent place to cool down as you enjoy your favorite drink. A bathtub in the room can also do magic for you. For that extra pampering, sampling the spa services will give you an incredible lodge experience.
Meals are prepared by a dedicated professionally-trained chef. The meals comprise multiple cuisines and vary from delicious smoked beef fillet to homemade pizzas. Most of the ingredients used are freshly picked from the vegetable farm.
Fun activities at Chui Lodge
There are plenty of fun things you can do while staying at Chui Lodge.
- Game drives are popular both day and night. During the spot-lit night drives, you can catch a glimpse of the leopards, aardvarks, bat-eared foxes in their nightly escapades.
- Guided bush walks during the day can be complemented with bush breakfast and a sundowner with assorted drinks.
- Organized visits to Lake Nakuru National Park, Hell’s gate, Eburru Forest, Lake Elementaita, Crescent Island, and Mount Longonot.
- Horse rides are available within the sanctuary farm.
- Hiking enthusiasts can explore the Mula Hill found within Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary.
- You can enjoy private and bush dinners on request.
- You can explore the flower farm, vegetable garden, and dairy farm within the sanctuary farm.
- Golfing at the Green Park.
- Photography trips such as nature walks and boat trips on Lake Naivasha are enjoyable for both adults and kids as you get authentic and diverse snaps.
- A visit to the local community schools surrounding Chui Lodge.
- Bird watching for leisure and professional photography.
Covid-19 protocols
The Chui Lodge team is fully compliant with the Covid-19 rules and regulations as stipulated by the Government of Kenya. Every room is cleaned and sanitized frequently. The employees have been vaccinated and well-equipped with masks, gloves, hairnets, and sanitizers.
Guests are issued masks and sanitizers. There are regular temperature checks and sanitization points installed in strategic points. There is adequate spacing in the dining areas plus an option of private dining in the rooms for guests who may need it.
A limited number of guests can access the safari vehicles at a given point in time to avoid crowding. All linen used within the establishment is thoroughly washed using a washing machine and sun-dried.
Corporate-Social Responsibility
Chui Lodge appreciates the local community for contributing to the preservation of the sanctuary and promoting wildlife tourism. Therefore, Chui Lodge has supported numerous initiatives to improve socioeconomic status and environmental sustainability.
The initiatives include providing quality education, water services, healthcare services, employment of local people, environmental sustainability projects, and supporting livelihoods through the Bracelets Project.
Chui Lodge The best place to be
The lodge and the expansive sanctuary are great places to visit for all travelers. Chui Lodge is the best place for families that want to reconnect; couples looking for a wedding venue; photographers who wish to get the best at a click; and bird watchers keen on spotting different birds.
If you are that person who wants to spend a few days from the city’s hustle and relax, this is definitely a plug. Honeymooners and couples celebrating different milestones enjoy private cottages far from the rest.
