Crescent Island Hippo House

Entire vacation home in Naivasha, Kenya

  1. 8 guests
  2. 3 bedrooms
  3. 7 beds
  4. 3 baths
Hosted by Akira
  1. Superhost
  2. 5 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 5% of homes

This home is highly ranked based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

On the lake

This home is right on Lake Naivasha.

Self check-in

You can check in with the building staff.
Some info has been automatically translated.
Experience the ultimate safari adventure at Hippo House, the perfect lakeside retreat. Our colourful and characterful home is set on the lake shore with two porches and a gazebo. Relax on the patio, take long walks to see the wildlife on the island, or cruise the lake shores on a boat. Hippo House is perfect for families & friends. Book your stay today and enjoy a true safari experience with all the comforts of home.

The space
Escape to Crescent Island Hippo House, a stunning vacation rental property located on the beautiful Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. Just a two-hour drive (and a short boat ride) from Nairobi, this is one of Kenya's best-kept secrets. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Lake Naivasha and the wildlife that surrounds it. All conservancy fees are included in the price when you book the house.

Our spacious and comfortable home can accommodate up to 10 guests (recommended for 8). With three bedrooms, including ensuite and separate bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area, and cosy living room with a wood-burning fireplace, you'll have everything you need for a relaxing and enjoyable stay. Outside, you can unwind in the additional chill-out areas and dine al fresco.

Our house is totally self-catering but we have a cook included in the price to assist you with preparing meals throughout your stay. We provide filtered rain water for cooking but not bottled drinking water.

The three bedrooms:
Room 1: 1 x queen and 1 x single bed with ensuite bathroom
Room 2: 1 x queen bed, 1 x single bed & 1 x bunk bed and ensuite bathroom
Room 3: 1 x double and separate bathroom just outside.

We're excited to share that a charming new café, Island Fever, has just opened on Crescent Island. It's a perfect spot to enjoy refreshing lemonades, freshly made wraps, delicious juices, and creamy ice cream. Whether you're dropping in spontaneously or prefer to pre-order, you're warmly welcome. They also offer buffet-style meals for large groups or special gatherings (you’ll find all the contact details and numbers in the guest guide). The café is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, making it an ideal stop before or after your wildlife adventures.

You can also check out our other properties on Airbnb, Giraffe House and Fish Eagle Cottage, for more options to suit your needs.

Guest access
Please note that check-in time is between 2 pm and 5 pm, and the last boat leaves at 5 pm. For safety reasons, please do not arrive later than 5 pm as boats cannot run safely after dark. Check-out is at 11 am.

To get to the boat and leave your car, please follow the Airbnb sign located 3.82 kilometers from the South Lake turnoff on the right-hand side (opposite the Shell Petrol Station). You will need to provide your car registration details to sign in. Please note that it is a private property, and there are strict speed restrictions in place due to wild animals roaming free. We advise our guests not to walk around except for getting to the shops and between the luggage drop-off point and the car park.

The boat ride takes approximately 10 minutes, and each boat can carry a maximum of 7 people. One return boat transfer is included in the price, but you may need an extra boat depending on the number of people and luggage. An extra boat costs 1000/- per transfer. Please call (number in confirmation email) to give us an estimated time of arrival so we can have the boat on standby.

Other things to note
At Crescent Island we prioritize your safety and comfort during your stay.

WI-FI is available in the living room only - not the whole house.

The total cost of the house depends on the number of people coming. Please ensure that the number of guests booked on Airbnb matches the actual number of people coming, and avoid showing up on the day with extra guests.

Please note that although there are no predators on the island, all the animals are wild and should always be viewed from a safe distance. We advise our guests to never ever approach Hippos or Buffalo as they are extremely dangerous.

While we are child-friendly, we request that children are accompanied at all times when walking around the island to ensure their safety.

To avoid any unwelcome guests in the form of monkeys, please do not leave food lying around and close the windows when you are out of the house.

As a functioning sanctuary, boats will sometimes land on the shore nearby with day visitors.

Our house is entirely self-catering, and we do not provide any food for guests, including drinking water - there is only filtered rain water for cooking.

The power in the house is generated by solar energy, and it may go off occasionally. In such cases, please use the solar lights provided until the power resumes. Please don't bring hairdryers or high power-use equipment; the solar can't cope.

No pets allowed

Where you’ll sleep

1 of 2 pages

What this place offers

Lake view
Waterfront
Kitchen
Wifi
Dedicated workspace
Unavailable: Carbon monoxide alarm
Unavailable: Smoke alarm

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Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 115 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is in the top 5% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 92% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 6% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 2% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for value

Guest reviews mention

Where you’ll be

Naivasha, Nakuru County, Kenya
This listing's location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighborhood highlights

Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in Nakuru County, is a true gem located only 100 km away from Nairobi. It is part of the Great Rift Valley and owes its name to the Maasai word "naiposha," meaning "rough water," due to the sudden storms that can arise here. The lake is surrounded by acacia woodlands, swamps fringed by papyrus, forests, and spectacular geological features, making it a haven for nature lovers.

Lake Naivasha is also included in the "List of Wetlands of International Importance" (Ramsar sites) and boasts over 400 species of birds, including fish eagles, ospreys, lily-trotters, black crakes, and herons. The lake is a bird watcher's paradise and attracts bird enthusiasts from all over the world.

Crescent Island is a private Wildlife Sanctuary located on the eastern side of Lake Naivasha. It features more animals per acre than any other park in Kenya, making it a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Here you can enjoy fantastic and easy walks surrounded by various animals, including giraffes, zebras, Thompson's and Grant's gazelles, waterbucks, buffalos, and many bird species. It's also common to spot hippos bathing or basking in the sun close to the island's shores.

The Island is not fenced (although the houses are), and the animals are free to roam to and from the mainland when water levels allow. This creates a unique opportunity for visitors to experience wildlife up close in their natural habitat. Crescent Island is a truly magical place that offers visitors a glimpse into the beauty and diversity of Kenya's wildlife.

Meet your host

Superhost
449 reviews
4.94 out of 5 average rating
5 years of hosting
Hi, I'm Aki. I was born in Kenya and I was brought up on Crescent Island. In 2006 I came back to Naivasha to help my parents run the Island and in 2018 I took over the management of the Island. Couldn't stay away from this little piece of paradise!

Akira is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Co-hosts

  • Karen

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
8 guests maximum
Safety & property
No carbon monoxide alarm
No smoke alarm
Nearby lake, river, other body of water