Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge is a lakeside resort/lodge on Moi South Lake Road, on the southern side of Lake Naivasha. It is particularly suited to weekend getaways, families, couples, conferences, and travelers combining Naivasha with Hell’s Gate or Crescent Island. Current Google Hotels data shows about 4.4/5 from 1,700+ reviews, while TripAdvisor lists it at 4.3/5 from 600+ reviews. 

1. Location

The lodge is on Moi South Lake Road, rather than in Naivasha town itself. Its position is one of its strongest advantages because you are already in the lake-and-wildlife zone.

It is reasonably convenient for:

• Lake Naivasha — boat trips, bird watching and lake scenery

• Crescent Island Game Sanctuary

• Hell's Gate National Park

• Elsamere Conservation Centre

• Other South Lake Road lodges, restaurants and activity providers

• Naivasha town, although the lodge is better thought of as a lakeside retreat than a town hotel

Booking.com places Crescent Island roughly 6.8 miles (11 km) away and Hell's Gate National Park roughly 12 miles (19 km) away. 

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2. What the property is actually like

Despite sometimes being marketed as an upscale/luxury property, I would describe the experience more accurately as an established, comfortable upmarket lodge/resort rather than an ultra-luxury safari camp.

This distinction is important.

Recent guest feedback is generally very positive about:

• Spacious rooms

• Lake views

• Gardens

• Cleanliness

• Food

• Swimming pool

• Staff

• Family suitability

• General relaxation

But some recent travelers describe it as more of a comfortable standard/upmarket lodge than a luxury tented camp. 

So, if you're expecting Four Seasons-style luxury or an intimate luxury safari camp, adjust expectations. If you're looking for a comfortable full-service lakeside lodge with lots of facilities, it makes considerably more sense.

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3. Accommodation

The property offers a range of rooms, including family accommodation and rooms with private bathrooms, with balconies/terraces and views toward the gardens or lake depending on the room. 

One of the recurring strengths in guest reviews is room size.

Recent reviewers have specifically praised the rooms as:

• Spacious

• Clean

• Comfortable

• Well finished

• Quiet

• Suitable for longer stays

Some rooms reportedly have particularly good lake/wildlife views, and guests have described seeing zebra and waterbuck close to their balconies. 

My recommendation

If you're booking, prioritize a lake-facing room with a balcony.

The difference between waking up looking toward the lake and being positioned primarily toward the interior of the property can materially change the experience.

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4. Wildlife around the lodge

This is one of the more interesting things about Simba Lodge.

You're not necessarily going to have a traditional safari experience inside the lodge, but the surrounding environment is wildlife-rich.

Guests have reported seeing animals such as:

• Zebra

• Waterbuck

• Various birds

• Other lake-area wildlife

The lodge's proximity to Lake Naivasha also means you're in an ecosystem where hippos and abundant birdlife are part of the broader environment. 

However, don't confuse this with staying inside a major national park.

Simba Lodge is a resort beside a wildlife-rich lake, not a dedicated safari camp inside a national park.

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5. Swimming pools

The property currently advertises two swimming pools, including a children's pool/shallow area. 

The pool is one of the lodge's better leisure features.

Recent reviewers have described it as:

• Large

• Attractive

• Good for relaxing

• Surrounded by trees/shaded areas

This makes the lodge particularly appealing for families and people who want downtime rather than spending every hour on excursions. 

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6. Spa and wellness

The lodge has a fairly comprehensive leisure offering for a Naivasha property.

Facilities reported include:

• Spa/wellness centre

• Massage

• Sauna

• Steam room

• Fitness room/gym

• Tennis court

• Swimming pools

• Children's playground

 

That makes it more of a resort-style property than a simple safari lodge.

For a couple's weekend, this is useful because you can combine a morning lake activity with an afternoon around the pool/spa rather than having to leave the property constantly.

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7. Food and restaurants

Food is another area where recent reviews are generally favorable.

Current accommodation information lists three on-site restaurants/meal services, with international cuisine and options accommodating vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, halal and kosher requirements. 

Recent guests have particularly praised:

• Breakfast

• Buffet variety

• Fresh omelettes

• Dinner selection

• Overall quantity

• Restaurant service

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8. Activities you can do from Simba Lodge

The lodge works especially well as a base for exploring Naivasha.

Lake Naivasha boat ride

This should be near the top of your list.

A boat excursion can give you:

• Hippo sightings

• Bird watching

• Lake scenery

• Views of the surrounding escarpment

• Access toward Crescent Island

Lake Naivasha is particularly famous for birdlife.

 Crescent Island

One of the best activities around Naivasha.

Crescent Island is unusual because you can experience wildlife on foot with a guide. You can encounter animals such as zebra, giraffe and antelope.

It's an excellent complement to a conventional vehicle safari.

 Hell's Gate National Park

Another major attraction.

It's particularly interesting because of its:

• Dramatic cliffs

• Gorges

• Rock formations

• Hiking

• Cycling

• Wildlife

• Rock climbing opportunities

A recent Simba Lodge guest specifically recommended Hell's Gate and Crescent Island as essential activities around Naivasha. 

 Bird watching

Naivasha is excellent for bird enthusiasts.

You can potentially see numerous waterbirds and raptors around the lake and surrounding areas.

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9. Families

Very good choice for families.

Reasons include:

• Children's pool

• Playground

• Spacious rooms

• Large grounds

• Multiple dining options

• Swimming

• Nearby wildlife activities

• Easy access to Naivasha attractions

The property accepts children of all ages, although its current booking information says children 12 and above are charged as adults. 

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10. Couples

Also a good option for couples, particularly for a 2–3 night getaway.

A good couple's itinerary would be:

Day 1

• Drive from Nairobi

• Check in

• Lunch

• Relax around the pool

• Sunset/lakeside time

• Dinner

Day 2

• Breakfast

• Morning boat trip

• Crescent Island

• Lunch

• Spa/pool

• Sunset

• Dinner

Day 3

• Breakfast

• Hell's Gate

• Lunch

• Drive back to Nairobi

This gives you a good balance between relaxation and activities.

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11. Conferences and corporate retreats

This is another significant part of the property's positioning.

The lodge has historically catered to:

• Corporate retreats

• Conferences

• Weddings

• Team-building events

• Group travel

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12. How good is the service?

Overall: good to very good.

Recent reviews frequently praise staff for being:

• Welcoming

• Friendly

• Attentive

• Professional

• Helpful

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13. Current pricing

Be careful with online rates because Naivasha accommodation prices fluctuate significantly according to season, occupancy, resident/non-resident status and meal plan.

One Kenyan accommodation listing currently advertises rates from about KSh 12,400, but that should not be interpreted as the price for every room/date. 

For context, a September 2025 traveler reported paying around KSh 26,000 for two people sharing during that particular stay/period. That's useful as historical context, but not a current quotation. 

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14. Pros and cons