Overview of Lemon Valley
We all know how bitter lemons are, there is this video on YouTube for kids tasting lemons for the first time, very hilarious. Then, there is Lemon Valley Farm which is located before you get to Nakuru town – if you are approaching from Nairobi. It is a very serene place where you can get off the bitterness, contrary to the name, right? :-), relax and breathe in fresh air. There aren’t many lemons as the name suggests but they have a farm – hence the ‘from our farm to your tummy concept‘ – fresh ingredients every meal!
In our travel chronicles, I have come across two types of resorts and hotels. The fine high end five-star hotels designed by architects and rustic artistic places designed by creatives and artists. Lemon Valley is the artistic type. I love to experience a taste of both thus no favorite as each type touches my soul in a different way .
How it all started
Nancy and her husband were looking for a place to build their retirement home. They got an agent who took them to a spot on a hill. It was in the middle of nowhere. It didn’t look enticing at all, however the agent insisted that they take another look and they saw the view of Lake Elementaita from the hill top and they knew that was it! They built their home there and while on a tour to South Africa they realized people rent out their homes in farm estates and thus the idea of Lemon Valley Farm Estate came up.
Getting there
Using public means: At Nyamakima or Tea Room in Nairobi take Matatus to Nakuru around Kshs 350-500 one way, alight at Soysambu Conservancy where there is Lake Elementaita Serena Lodge sign board. Cross the road and take a motorbike to the Farm around Kshs.100 (you can also walk, Note that it’s uphill). The farm can also organizes for pick up from the Soysambu junction.
If driving from Nairobi, the turn to the farm is at the Soysambu Junction where the Lake Elementaita Serena Lodge sign board is. You can click here for google maps directions
Round tour
The first thing you notice as you approach the farm is the witty signs written on wood. Some good humor is an amazing welcome.
At the reception the colors are very vibrant. You feel the love and warmth of the farm. Those nice little details that make a whole lot difference. The place is built using containers, but the concept has come out well. I love what they have done with fabric on the wall. How they have used wood work and the shelf plants is also amazing. Their restaurant is called Frog and Toad. Coffee calls you first. I had lemon valley special it was a good combo some tea with sausages. I just love signature dishes/drinks of any place I visit . Their salad ingredients are fresh from the farm thus are to die for. You can actually pre-order and get the food ready when you arrive. They have the option of self-catering in their cottages. Below is a snippet of their prices:
I love throw pillows and my favorite is the one with the name LOVE on it (I hope you will still find it when you make your way there 🙂 They have pinned a map of the whole place. One of the outstanding things about this place is the view of Lake Elementaita. At first I thought it is on the shore only, to find it majestically on the top of a hill overlooking the lake. It is on the opposite side of the road – off Lake Elementaita. Then this fairy seat makes it even more amazing with the Lake in the background. A resort is never complete without a pool. They have a white-walled one with a perfect view of Lake Elementaita. At the pool there are also witty signs just to encourage responsible behavior there.
They have different varieties of cottages ranging from dorm like to single occupancy. The shower has these irrigation cans as the shower heads. Taking us back to our roots, to the village via the agriculture classes. All rooms are donned with African print bedding including the curtains which open up to a view of Lake Elementaita in the morning. At night they have a place for bonfire with more witty signs. They have tapped into event ground provision and have a very beautiful gazebo. I liked the chess game imprint on ground -with pawns. This is the second place I have seen with this concept after Giraffe Ark Nyeri.
Farm and stable go together so be ready for a horse ride – their writings have not been left out. A moment of silence for all the single people who want stable relationships 🙂
ACTIVITIES
| SPA | COST(Ksh) | |
| Massage – Half body | 1hour Hotstone /Swedish /Deep Tissue | 1500/- |
| Massage – Full body | “ | 3000/- |
| Facial | Mud Mask/Peel Off Mask/ Naturals(Egg,Lemon,Honey Etc | 1500/- |
| Pedicure/Manicure | 1500/- | |
| Swimming | 500/- | |
| Farm Tour per group | 500/- | |
| Guided Hiking per group | 500/- | |
| Pony/Donkey ride per child | *NOT for adults | 500/- |
| Cycling per person | 500/- | |
| Horse ride | 1,500 |
RATES :
| ITEM | INCLUSIONS | CHARGE (KSH) |
| CABINS/ COTTAGE – PER NIGHT | ||
| Bed & Breakfast (Double Occupancy) | 4450/- | |
| Half-board | 5500/- | |
| Full-board | 7000/- | |
| Bed & Breakfast (Single Occupancy) | 6450 | |
| Half-board (Single Occupancy) | 7500 | |
| Full-board (Single Occupancy) | 8000 | |
| Camping – per night | ||
| Camping with own gear (per person) | Use of pool, grounds, shower | 1250/- |
| Camping with their gear (pp sharing) | Bedding + Tent, “Use of Pool,” “Grounds,” “Shower” | 2000/- |
| Camping with their gear (pp single) | “ | 2500/- |
| Half-Breakfast | Tea / Coffee, Toast, Eggs | 500/- |
| Full-breakfast | Buffet | 1000/- |
| DAY PACKAGES | ||
| Full-day Conference per person (pp) | 2 teas, Buffet Lunch, House-water, Stationary | 2500 |
| Half-day conference, pp | 1 Tea, Buffet Lunch, House-water, Stationary | 2000 |
| Team Building, Full day, pp | 2 Teas, Buffet Lunch, Water, Use of Ground | 2500 |
| Team Building Half – day, pp | 1 Tea, Buffet Lunch, Water, Use of Ground | 2000 |
| Day visit, ( for hikers, and other visitors) pp | Hiking Trail, Grounds, One Tea Break with Snack, House-water | 1000 |
SPECIAL PACKAGES
| Farm Romance | Includes: 2 nights Accommodation in our cabin All meals Fruit basket Welcome Cocktail Special turn down service 1 Private Candle lit Dinner Bottle of sparkling wine | 28,900/- per couple |
| Digital Detox | Includes: Daily Fresh Breakfast Use of meditation space (mats provided) Accommodation for 2 nights Farm fresh salads daily and Lemon valley spa water Hike | 13,800/- per person |
| Wellness Special | Includes: Use of Meditation space Fruit basket,Green salads, Daily supply of herbal teas Lemon valley spa water; hot/cold (mix choice of herbs with honey/apple cider; lemon, mint, lemongrass, strawberry, basil, rosemary, cinnamon) Yoga Tutorials (mats provided) Guided hike Wholesome farm fresh breakfast 3 nights accommodation | 19,800/- per person |
Contact: 0778915880 / 0720879139
Budget package for getting there via public means for a day trip self-sponsored :
To and from Nakuru: 500×2=1,000
Soysambu to the farm: 100×2= 200
Swimming: 500
Meals from 700
Total 2500
(When going back to Nairobi you can arrange with the hotel for them to organize Mololine to pick you up from the farm instead of going to Nakuru Town )
If you are on private means, click here for google maps directions