Accommodation in Lake Navaisha

Hi,

we are heading to Navaisha in late September, any ideas on where to stay?

Is it ok to just rock up and book something, or is it better to pre-book something before we get there?

Nothing too expensive, cheap hotel/hostel (not camping - no tent!)

cheers

There are Bandas at Fisherman's Camp that are inexpensive and don't take bookings.

Accomodation at Lake Naivasha is not very widely available. So book ahead if you want to be sure. In my opinion Fishermans Camp is terribly place to sleep (although the scenery and bar a pretty good). Prices skyrocket (quadruple) on all fridays and saturdays as well as during holidays... guess thats what you get when you have an established name. They're restaurant is also more expensive then the more upmarket Fish-Eagle inn which is right next door. Their banda's are so-so, but their two person rooms are very poor quality. Most ridiculous of all is there topcamp. Which was very dirty and probably some of the poorest value for money I have ever seen.

Only thing good is that they (as well as other places in the area) rent out tents and sleepingbags. Best accomodation in Naivasha was Fish-Eagle Inn, but it's midrange priced (but fair value for money). If your on a budget rent a tent at either Fish Eagle / Fisherman's camp or other accomodation.

So to awnser your question, in my opinion there is no good budget lodging in a hotel / hostel in Naivasha to my knowlegde (maybe the YMCA, I didn't check it out). Midmarket or Tent is the best deal.

I actually quite liked the bandas at Fisherman, with comfy beds and private bathroom with hot showers (probably the best shower I have had in Africa), and the setting of the camp is beautiful, with tall trees and hippos coming out for grazing at night.
During the week, the bandas are Ksh 1000 per person, at the weekend their quoted price was 4000 - however, I didn't understand that as a per person rate, but per banda, so the main difference being that you have to pay for the full banda at the weekends even if you're on your own. I may have misunderstood them, though, and it was actually 4000 per person, in which case it would be way to much. For 1000 I was actually quite happy there.

Stefo, as posted I agree the setting is good and the banda's are not that bad (worth the 1000ksh). However it´s ridiculous to charge 1000 on thurday and 4000 on friday (I don´t remember if it was per person or for the banda, but I am sure it quadrupled either way).

In my opinion it´s clear they have developed a reputation / name for themselfs and are now taking advantage of it.