CHECKING IN AND CHECKING OUT

Check-in is from 2:00pm and check-out is until 10:00am. 

If you’d like to request an early check-in or late check-out, please contact us. However, please be informed that we may not be able to grant your request if we have a same-day check-in. 

CONNECTING

The main wifi network is Olanga House and the password is WoodHoopoe

Three other spaces have their own extended networks too (Ol-Mula, Leleshwa and Acacia), and the passwords are the same as above. Outside there is decent Safaricom 4G but less so inside.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with us. We will have shared our numbers when you booked, so hopefully we are already in touch!

Paul is your go-to person during your stay itself. Paul lives a 30-minute drive away, and will be around every morning as well as when you ask him to be there (to help with an evening barbecue for example). His number is  +254 799 220761.

HOUSE RULES

1.      Please don’t leave any open windows or doors unsupervised. 

We have a troop of baboons who patrol the houses along this path once a week and most often on Sundays.   They don’t come close if you’re here or in the house but they are incredibly clever and are actively looking for any open window they can exploit. They will proceed to trash and destroy everything in the rooms. Every single time you leave the house and cottage please do one last check that every window is closed and the door is locked. Unfortunately we will have to ask guests to pay for damage inflicted by the baboons due to an unattended open window or door.

2.      Please take care when smoking, especially in the dry season. Smoking is outside only.

3.      Please do not feed the monkeys or baboons.

4.      Please do not walk outside of the compound at night due to hyenas.

5.      Please treat the sanctuary and all the wildlife with respect, allowing wildlife the right to pass, staying a reasonable distance from giraffes, and not throwing rubbish or food into the sanctuary.

DOGS

Dogs are always welcome at Olanga House. We have marked on the map a great dog walk around the area. 

Please keep an eye on your dog as they will be able to escape the garden.  If they do escape temporarily, don’t worry as they won’t be able to go far, but there are other friendly dogs around belonging to neighbours. They may also encounter baboons or warthogs. Please don’t let your dog go outside at all in the dark due to the high density of leopards. To be on the safe side we don’t let our dog outside before 8am or after 6pm unless he is on a lead, and are extra careful in bad weather.

SHOWERING AND BATHING

In an effort to make Olanga House a ‘net-zero’ home (the electricity comes from the geothermals over at Ol-Karia), the hot water primarily comes from a solar source on the roof. Please be a tiny bit patient in waiting for hot water to start running – especially in the bathroom sinks and in Acacia Cottage.

However, if it is a cloudy day and/or you are more than four people having showers at the same time/in quick succession, you may need to switch the immersion heater on. The switch can be found to the left-hand side of the airing cupboards. It takes about 30 minutes to warm up.

Please do enjoy our lovely Cinnabar Green bathroom goodies and mosquito spray as much as you like, but kindly leave the containers in place for future guests.

CLEANING AND DISHWASHING

·       Our lovely cleaner Sophie is here every day except Wednesdays and Sundays.  Please let Paul know what time you’d like her to come in and do a quick tidy-up. If you don’t need Sophie’s services, no problem, just let her or Paul know. 

·       As part of Sophie’s everyday clean she will have a general tidy-up, empty bins, make the beds, wash any dirty dishes, and clean the bathrooms.  If you are staying three nights or more, please talk to Paul about when you’d like Sophie to come in and do a more extensive clean.

·       Washing-up liquid and a scourer can be found by the sink. Underneath the sink you’ll find the bin, kitchen spray, a cloth, and dishwasher tablets.

·       In the airing cupboard in the hall you will also find some more cleaning products if you need them along with binliners and extra toilet roll.

·       To use the dishwasher, make sure it is switched on at the wall (to the right of the sink), and simply pull it out. Pop one of the dishwasher tablets into the main section. The ‘on’ button is on the far left. Use the arrows to select the programme you’d like. We normally use the ‘eco’ option, to which it defaults. Press the ‘start’ button, and close the door. Please note it won’t start until you close the door.  Dishwasher salt and rinseaid is also under the kitchen sink.

PRIVACY 

As frequent travellers ourselves, we know how important privacy is. We want you to feel like this is your home, not that you are guests of someone else. With that in mind, the Olanga team commits to staying out of sight and out of mind (unless you tell us otherwise) and making sure that no-one disturbs the house or its immediate surroundings whilst you are there. You might see Paul,Sophia or Isaac around, but hours will be limited while guests are here and they will avoid any areas that you are in or want to be.  Don’t hesitate to tell Paul if you’d like more privacy than this – it’s not a problem at all.

COOKING, EATING, LIVING!

We love the sociable kitchen at Olanga and hope that you will too! Please feel free to use any of the ingredients in the pantry and get creative inside or out!

Inside, there is an electric oven, an induction hob and a microwave.

·       The oven is self-explanatory, and the main switch for this is on the end of the island (facing the front door).

·       The power switch for the hob is also on the end of the island – next to the double socket. The induction hob is extremely fast – it will heat anything up in seconds so make sure you’ve got it on the heat you want! Press the ‘on’ button on the left. The four big crosses (+) represent the four hotplates – so choose which hotplate you want to turn on, and press the respective cross. Then use the smaller + and – button to increase or decrease the heat. If you move it to ‘0’ it will switch off after 10 seconds. The ‘H’ sign means there is some residual heat despite it being off, so take care. For more details the manual is in the antique desk by the front door.

·       Additionally, there is a microwave in the pantry – also self-explanatory.

We have a great barbecue for you, and provide one basket of charcoal and some quality BBQ tools (including metal skewers). Please let Paul know if you need more charcoal than this and he can help you buy more. A picnic blanket can be found in the airing cupboard.

For the mornings we have provided tea, coffee, and herbal teas – to your immediate left as you enter the pantry. A cafetiere and teapot can be found on the kitchen shelves. There is some fresh milk in the fridge - please let Paul know if you need more.   The Espresso machine is fairly intuitive but please follow these instructions if you need more help: SALTER ESPIRISTA MANUAL Pdf Download | ManualsLib. The tapwater is drinkable, but doesn’t taste so great, so there is a mineral water dispenser in the pantry. Please let Paul know if this needs refilling.

If you get cold at night please feel free to light the jiko outside or fireplace inside. We have prepared everything for you so it should be as easy as lighting a match, but please let us know if you’d like any help with this.

READING, LISTENING, WATCHING

On the bookshelves you can find some games at the bottom, a wine rack (please do replace our empty bottles with your fuller ones!), and many books for you to choose from. We are slowly trying to make this a bookshelf full of short stories so that guests can dip into shorter reading sessions if they wish, but this will take a bit of time! In the meantime, if you do get engrossed in a novel and wish to take it home, please go ahead but just send us a whatsapp first so we know what needs replacing.

There are two high-quality Bluetooth speakers embedded in the living room ceiling. To connect them to your phone, simply switch your Bluetooth on and connect to ‘Lithe Audio’. You need to make sure your phone is within range of the speaker on the side of the house closest to the front door.  We’ve also made two tailored Afrobeats playlists for you that are public on Spotify: search for Olanga and you’ll see our ‘Olanga Party’ and ‘Olanga Chill’ playlists. Enjoy!

There is a TV screen in Leleshwa room. We have left an HDMI cable which should connect to most laptops and a special connector for Macbooks. The TV also has a live Netflix account which you’re welcome to enjoy. The TV area has two comfy beanbags and a nice rug to sit on but feel free to bring in chairs from elsewhere if you need them.

SLEEPING

Please don’t let children under the age of 6 sleep on the top bunk.

All bedding is Egyptian cotton and designed for the temperatures most often experienced at Olanga. The curtains are black-out too – so hopefully you should be experiencing dark and peaceful rooms but please let Paul know if there is anything we can do to make your sleep better! Spare sheets, towels, teatowels and blankets can also be found in the airing cupboard as well as a travel cot for babies and toddlers.

Sockets can be found around the room – Ol-Mula and Ol-Karia have floor-sockets too. Let Paul know if you need an extension cable.

We recommend keeping windows closed at night, and being careful in the day too (see house rule no 1).

All bedrooms have somewhere to store clothes. Acacia and Ol-Karia have their own hanging rails, Ol-Mula has the dressing-room, and Leleshwa has some handmade storage crates under the beds. You are most welcome to ask Sophie to do laundry for you.

SHOPPING AND GROCERIES

·       La Pieve farm shop is just on the other side of the main gate you came in.   7am – 630pm every day except Tuesdays (closed) and Sundays (8.30am – 1pm only).  Delivery is also possible. Contact Fred on: +254 725 355378.

·       Pantry and Provisions @ The Shell Garage, South Lake Road. 7am – 10pm every day. +254 794 764449.

• The Coffee Hut. Just opposite the Shell Garage on South Lake Road. Open everyday 8am – 5pm apart from Mondays.  They produce some of the best sourdough bread in Kenya! They also deliver their beautiful loaves to the La Pieve Gate on Wednesdays and Fridays on request – contact them on 0700870877 to find out more.

·       Chandarana, Buffalo Mall, 8am – 9pm every day. 0741 539041.

·       Axita Pharmacy in Naivasha town is the best pharmacy – and the manager Dave is on whatsapp and able to arrange delivery to the house.  Open 9.30 – 8pm every day but Saturdays (mornings only) and Sundays (closed). Dave: +254 725 617805.

·       See the ‘Made in Kenya’ section of this manual for details of artisan shops in the area.

DINING OUT

Ranch House Bistro (9-6 Mon-Thurs, 9-9 Fri-Sun; +254 0700 488475; dog-friendly)

A five minute drive away just on the other side of the main road (or a 30 minute safe walk in the daylight – please don’t walk in the dark due to hippos). They serve great breakfasts, as well as delicious lunches and dinners. They also provide takeaway – you can make your order via whatsapp on the number above.

Camp Carnelley’s (+254 0796 841149; not dog-friendly)

A bit further afield is Camp Carnelly’s, an 18 minute drive away, which is a fun place for lunch and dinner as well as for boat rides. The pizzas are brilliant as are the varied G&Ts!

Elsamere (3pm afternoon tea and 7.30pm dinner; +254 726 443151; not dog-friendly; advance bookings only)

A very special place for a pre-arranged cream tea or a formal three-course dinner with other guests. Great birdwatching and boating opportunities too. A 12 minute drive.

Sanctuary Farm (+254 722 761940; dog-friendly; advance bookings only)

Sanctuary Farm, 32 minutes away, have a new pop-up restaurant that can do breakfasts, lunches or dinners if booked in advance, and have a pop-up Happy Hour every Saturday from 4-6 with a pizza oven and small stalls too. Really good vegetarian food in particular and close encounters with grazing wildlife are guaranteed.

Matteo’s (10am – 10pm (closed Mondays) ; +254 791 371607; dog-friendly)

Almost exactly opposite Sanctuary Farm (so half an hour away) and just before the Shell Garage, Matteo’s is the best Italian around the lake and a good place for pasta and wine.

The Coffeee Hut (8am – 5pm, closed Mondays). 0700870877

Around 40 minutes away - just opposite the Shell Garage on South Lake Road. They now do delicious bagels, burgers and salads, as well as beer, wine and the occasional cocktail.

Flamingo Oloiden Camp (+254 727 090545; dog-friendly)

Flamingo Oloiden Camp, just 6 minutes’ drive away, is our most budget-friendly recommendation. They serve good fish, nyama choma (barbecued meat), spinach, ugali (maize flour porridge), chips (and chapati if you ask!). It is a lovely place to sit right by the lake, watching the boats and nature around you. 

SUNDOWNERS

We know the importance of a good sundowner spot so we have two options lined up for you.

If you want to keep it close to home, then the picnic area is great for an evening drink. Although not the best spot to view the sunset, impalas and zebra are likely and you’ll be close to a sundowner top-up!

Go with the Oserengoni option (see table below) and enjoy sundowners in a special spot in the sanctuary. This is definitely our recommended option!

SIGHTS TO SEE AND THINGS TO DO 

Paul is more than happy to enquire with any of the lodges or companies below on your behalf, just ask!

Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary

We are so lucky to have an amazing tourism destination right on our doorstep and cannot recommend any of the below options run by the managers of Chui Lodge highly enough. Please note that non-resident prices will be higher, and that the team at Olanga have no control/influence over cost or availability. We urge you to take at least one of them up (our fav is the game drive plus bush breakfast!). These experiences are normally only taken up by guests of the 5 star Chui Lodge up the road so we are very fortunate to be able to offer them to Olanga House guests too. Please go to the bookings office next to the La Pieve shop or contact Oserengoni directly on +254 707 645 631/ +254 722 200596

Wild Birding

Sam runs his own birding and safari business so he is happy to organise a specialist game drive or a boat trip with one of his top birding guides if you fancy putting some names to the species you see! info@wildbirding.tours

Cycling around Hells Gate National Park

Our closest national park is a 25 minute drive away and is particularly incredible if you take the opportunity to hire bikes and cycle it rather than drive it. Please do follow the rangers’ advice in the rainy seasons due to occasional flash flooding. Park fees are between 200 KES and 20 USD depending on your residency status, and opening hours between 6am and 6pm.

Learning about Elsa the Lion

Elsamere is 10 minutes’ away and is a lovely spot to have a cream tea (book ahead) or just peruse the museum and shop learning about Joy Adamson and Elsa the lion. +254 726 443151.

Swimming and sunbathing

Naivasha Kongoni Lodge is just 8 minutes’ drive away and if you find yourself longing for a swim this is the place. +254 707 394384. Another option is to have lunch or dinner at Chui Lodge (see above) and ask Oserengoni if you can swim before or after (in their beautiful and heated (!) pool)).

Horseriding

Sanctuary Farm is a 30 minute drive away and the best place to go horseriding alongside zebras and wildebeest. +254 722 761940.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Preventative measures

·       Olanga House is Covid-safe.  WHO-approved disinfectants have been used to clean both Acacia Cottage and Olanga House, and we will ensure all of our own encounters with you happen outside. Everyone who lives or works in Olanga House has been fully vaccinated. If for any reason you want to get a Covid test nearby then Leshwa Medical Clinic in town is the best (+254 791 475100). 

·       The tap water is safe to drink everywhere, however if you prefer the taste of mineral water there is a water dispenser in the pantry. Please let Paul know if the water runs out during your stay or is close to doing so.

·       We have a basic first aid kit in the drawer of the antique desk (by the front door) and La Pieve shop sells painkillers and plasters.

·       There is no malaria in Naivasha and we have very few mosquitoes anyway but you can find some natural repellent on your verandah if you need it.  

·       Please take care at night when you are with dogs or small children, keeping them supervised at all times. Animals are scared of humans and will stay away – however you must remain vigilant at all times. There are no buffalos or hippos on the part of the sanctuary that runs from the road up to the Chui Lodge gate but we don’t advise walking here at night because of the risk of a straying hippo, an over-confident hyena or a hard-to-see snake. 

·       Please never leave small children unsupervised at any time as we want to be 100% sure they are safe. If you leave a child alone or sleeping inside the cottage, please make sure that all windows and doors are closed to avoid the (very unlikely) chance that a baboon comes in.  

Hospitals

·       The closest preferred hospital is Kijabe Hospital (+254 791 475100) which is 1 hour 10 minutes away.

·       Naivasha County Referral Hospital (+254 791 498777) is 45 minutes away.

·       Two small airstrips are within 20 minutes’ drive and are used by Amref Flying Doctors if you have a membership with them. 

Fire and security

·       In the event of a fire you can use the main doors as exit points. However should these be blocked, all windows open easily onto the ground outside. Frequently tested smoke alarms are also in place and a fire blanket is on top of the fridge.

·       This is an incredibly safe area. Oserian staff and guards are always around, and in hours of darkness the gate to the main road is locked and staffed. We also have neighbours not too far on both sides of the cottage. You can whatsapp or call us anytime if you are worried about anything security-related, or contact Kevin directly:

*Kevin, Head of Security: +254 729 669059

Once again, a big welcome to Olanga House and its environs, and we can’t wait to hear about your adventures! We hope you love it here as much as we do.

MADE IN KENYA

We hope that you might like some of the interior touches in Acacia Cottage so in the spirit of supporting Kenyan businesses we are sharing their details. 

·       Elementeita Artisans* https://web.facebook.com/Elmenteita-Artisans-Ltd-241728679208561/

·       Fired Earth Pottery* https://web.facebook.com/firedearthpottery/?_rdc=1&_rdr

·       Afrika Handmade https://www.afrikahandmade.com/

·       Baskets Kenya https://www.instagram.com/basketskenya/?hl=en

·       Erika’s Antique https://www.instagram.com/erikasantique/

·       Glass Jars Kenya https://www.instagram.com/glassjarskenya/?hl=en 

·       Hadithi Kenya https://www.hadithikenya.com/

·       Kenya Kanga https://kenyakangacollection.com/

·       Kasinde Crafts https://www.kasindecrafts.com/

·       Kayenda Furniture https://mobile.facebook.com/kayendafurniturekenya/?_rdc=1&_rdr

·       Kitengela https://www.kitengela.com/

·       Looku Art https://www.instagram.com/looku_art/

·       Love Artisan https://www.loveartisan.co.ke/

·       Mintari Kenya https://www.instagram.com/mintarikenya/?hl=en

·       Mood Nbo https://www.instagram.com/mood.nbo/

·       Ndoro Designs https://www.instagram.com/ndoro.designs/

·       Simply Soso https://simplysoso.com/

·       Simply Wooden https://www.instagram.com/simply_wooden/

·       TIRA Studio https://www.tirastudio.co.ke/

·       Undugu Fairtrade https://www.undugu.co.ke/

·       Workshop Nairobi https://workshopnairobi.com/

*Both of these businesses are just a short drive away and located next to Naivasha Bakehouse (see supermarkets section). They are both open from 9-5pm everyday.