Kongoni Game Valley Lodge offers guests to Kenya a fantastic holiday, in a splendid villa with wide-open verandahs and a nice swimming pool overlooking the spectacular Lake Naivasha. You will enjoy the natural beauty of the land and its wildlife: exotic animals and birds - zebra, impala, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, flamingo and hundreds of other species.

And at the same time engage in a variety of activities including a Kenya safari, golf, fishing, boat trips, and tours to other Kenya National Parks. You become one of the privileged few when you are accommodated at the kongoni Game valley ranch, the elegance of the ranch house and its dramatic setting makes this a very special place.

The Kongoni Game Valley Ranch house is on a hilltop overlooking Lake Naivasha and the surrounding volcano peaks. The romance of the place begins in 1901 with a French marquis who built this home in Africa for his new American bride. They lived there happily until the early 1940's, they are both buried in a secluded part of the garden where the view they loved is absolutely breathtaking. The long low stone house with its ochre-tiled roof stands in a wide expanse of mowed lawns and tended gardens. It all feels very established and well-cared for there is an aura if quality. The house is built around a central country yard the communal living and dining rooms overlook the lake and open out to a wide veranda furnished with commodious wicker furniture and cushions. Guests are encouraged to relax in this restful spot and enjoy the magnificent view
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Below, shinning beyond its fringe of acacia trees is the lake framed by extinct volcanoes and the soaring sides of the rift valley. A forest of primeval euphorbia contrast with the clipped lawns and English style flower beds of the garden. Meals at Kongoni are memorable; intimate tables, garden flowers, and views from the sunroom at breakfast, cozy candlelight inside at night. The food is wonderfully done and you can smell the bread backing pizza fresh from oven. The emphasis is on gourmets Italian cooking and the pasta and ice cream are homemade. Gianna jokes that the big five at Kingoni valley ranch are parmesan cheese, olive oil, capers risotto and pasta-mouth watering. Guests can take a walk at the shore or go boating. You are likely to see a wide variety of birds and perhaps a wide-open toothy yawn from a hippo. You may decide simply to sit on the veranda in cushioned comfort and absorb the beauty and peace

At the beginning of the 20th Century after many false starts, Kenya "whites" were at last finding ways of taming Africa's soil and learning to cope with her fractious climatic conditions. Adventurous aristocrats set out for a new life in Kenya Amongst these were Roger, Comte De Perigny, and his wife, the former Margaret Copley Thaw, daughter of Pittsburgh railroad millionaire William Thaw. Born on January 9th 1877, her life had been lived among the industrial giants of the United States. People like Andrew Carnegie, Andrew Mellon, Henry Frick, together with many scientists, financiers, inventors, engineers, schemers and dreamers, were friends of her father and frequent visitors to her childhood home. Aged 21, she married George Lauder Carnegie, a nephew of the steel magnate-philanthropist, and, in such surroundings, she enjoyed ostentatious luxury. After her first husband died, in 1921, Margaret Carnegie followed a custom becoming fashionable among wealthy American widows. In 1923, she married into the French nobility, becoming the Countess De Perigny.

Thereafter, she and her new husband divided their time between his Paris residence and the home they built in 1926 on land at the Naivasha lakeside which they called (after the many antelope of this species they found there) "Kongoni Farm".

On the 9th of January 1942 Margaret died and was laid to rest in the garden of her home in Kongoni that she dearly loved. Shortly after, in 1945 her husband Roger passed away and was laid to rest next to his wife.

These beautiful graves still exist and are still carefully maintained at the bottom of our lawn. The farm was inherited by an America family; the Whitney’s but was later bought by a Kenyan family, the Millers.

Inaugurating independence the Millers sold their farm to Italians that still own Kongoni to date.Recently Marco and Donna Brighetti have taken on the running of the Kongoni house and the numerous activities included. Marco and Donna owned and used to manage the very exclusive "BLUE SAFARI CLUB" that attracted Europe’s jet-set to Kenya for many years. Kongoni preserves all its history and beautiful architecture. An exclusive location where one can explore the Naivasha that once was. Their beautiful property is today a private park open to visitors who wish to enjoy all its splendour in untouched surroundings. Kongoni Game Valley still preserves the natural beauty of this land and its wildlife.

Kongoni Game Valley is an exclusive Safari Club that offers excellent and personalized attention to only a small number of guests. The traditional up-country Kenya house with wide open verandas and a nice swimming pool looks out across gardens to the beautiful waters of lake Naivasha. The house is attractively furnished in an early 20th century style with large bedrooms each with private bathroom en suite. Guests can take a game drive by four wheel drive vehicles or take guided walks. Boatmen are available for excursions on the lake to view the large colony of hippos and the many species of birds. Kongoni Game Vallley is ideally positioned for daily excursions to Lake Nakuru National Park, Hell's Gate National Park, Masai Mara and Samburu National Park. Kongoni Game Valley still preserves the natural beauty of this land and its wildlife. The property covers an area of some 1,000 hectares between the hills and the plain.

There are many tracks crossing the area. It is a unique experience to be alone with the animals away from the busy lodges and herds of mini-buses.  Two Range Rovers and one Land Rover with drivers allow you to go for game drives on the property at any time. For excursions outside the residence, it is possible to rent a car or use a mini-bus or the Kongoni cars for your excursions. There are over 20 staff to look after the guests every need: 2 chefs, 4 waiters, 2 drivers, 4 watchmen, 3 gardeners, 4 laundry and room staff. The Manager of Kongoni speaks Italian, English, French and Spanish fluently. The kitchen is run by two excellent chefs who can prepare international, Italian or local dishes.

Meals are served beside the swimming pool, on the veranda or in one of the sitting rooms. Alcoholic beverages and wine are not included but are available. Kongoni Valley ranch has recently opened another house very near to the lake with beautiful water views. Though separate this house is still on ranch property and can accommodate a private party of up to seven guests in one single and tree double bedrooms. it is fully catered and can enjoy all the activities and facilities of the ranch

Kongoni Game Valley Lodge Accommodation
Kongoni can accommodate up to 26 guests, each guest room has been furnished by Gianna and the many personal touches remind you that you are in a private home.

Each room has a rather charming and old fashioned bathroom, many with turn of- the century European fixtures, including bidet. Most rooms open onto the central courtyard but some are in separate cottages or have private outside entrances. Some have fireplaces, and one even has an en suite sauna.

The main house offers 6 elegant large (approx. 30m2) double bedrooms with bathroom and one single

bedroom, accessible from the interior patio, two verandas with panoramic views, two spacious sitting rooms and a large fully equipped kitchen.

At the back of the house, between the euphorbia trees, there are two independent pretty cottages in the same style as the main house; each cottage has three luminous double bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, a small living room and kitchen. The house is laid out on a single level, the walls are in blocks of sculpted stone and the roof is of traditional red clay roofing-tile, the interior walls are lined with boiserie. Both the house and cottages are decorated in original English colonial style but with an exotic touch giving by Arabic style furnishings from Lamu. All the bathrooms have hot and cold water. The electricity is 220 volts and the plug is a square three pin plug as in the UK.

Kongoni Game Lodge Activities
All activities within the boundaries of the property are included in the rate. Kongoni is the ideal location to savour the atmosphere of "OUT OF AFRICA". You can go on game drives both during the day and night, you can hike in the bush with Masai guides, you can drink tea at sunset in the observatory where you can watch the animals, you can make an excursion by boat on the lake and discover more than 400 species of birds and the many hippos, or more simply, you can get a tan by the swimming pool or play croquet on the lawns.
By car in 5 minutes you can visit the delightful Crater lake, in 10 minutes Hell’s Gate national park, in 15 minutes the main lake of Naivasha and in 1-hour Nakuru lake, world famous for its pink flamingos.
Kongoni is also an ideal base for Kenya air safaris, there is a runway on the property and another only 10 minutes from us. The Masai Mara can be reached in 40 minutes, the Amboseli and the Mount Kenya in 1 hour and a half.
Sample Kenya Luxury Safari Holiday

Day 1: Arrive / Nairobi
Welcome to Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant capital city. On arrival you will be met by a African Safaris and Adventures rep and taken to Giraffe Manor, a 1930's stone building with soaring two-storey entrance hall and sweeping staircase. Located on 140 acres of forested land, this beautiful home has 4 elegant bedrooms all comfortably furnished with large four poster beds, antique pieces and striking art deco bathrooms. The rare Rothschild giraffe that live on the grounds come calling on the house, peering in the upstairs and downstairs windows and doorways, making your stay there unforgettable.

Day 2 & 3: Near Magadi - Little Shompole
Leave after breakfast to Wilson Airport for the charter flight to Shompole Lodge departing at 1300 hrs .A professional driver guide will be waiting at the airstrip to transfer you to Little Shompole Hotel, commanding striking views across the Great Rift Valley . Complete with large double beds, cool pools, sun-deck, lounge and spacious bathroom with his and hers washbasins, these rooms are the ultimate in stylish privacy. The rooms also share an exclusive lounge and dining area and a plunge pool that looks out across Lake Natron. Guests of Little Shompole can enjoy the privacy of a dedicated team of staff, private guide and butler service. Activities on offer include early morning and evening walks, day and night game drives, visits to Lake Natron to see the Flamingoes and birds, Lion, Leopards, Cheetah, Hippo, Aardwolf, Civet and Wild Dogs. Meals will be served at the Little Camp dinning area (FB)

Day 4 & 5: Kongoni Game Valley – Naivasha
Depart to the airstrip for the charter flight to Nairobi leaving at 13.45hr to arrive at 14.15 hrs. You will then connect with the schedule service to Naivasha and on arrival a driver guide will be waiting to transfer you to Kongoni Game Valley, where you will be staying for the next two nights. This is one of the most beautiful villas in Kenya, with first class accommodation and excellent cuisine. The villa was built at the beginning of the last century with wide open verandas overlooking the spectacular Lake Naivasha. Activities include game drives in the privately owned conservation area and its wildlife: exotic animals and birds - Leopard, Zebra, Impala, Giraffe, Buffalo, Hippo, Flamingo and hundreds of other species. Kongoni offers a wide range of other activities such as horse riding, game walks, boat rides to mention a few.

Day 6, 7: Masai Mara – Bateleur Camp
Depart on the scheduled afternoon service to the Masai Mara, Kenya’s finest reserve; a vast expanse of open land with a dense concentration of resident animals. A professional driver guide will be waiting at the airstrip to transfer you to Bateleur Camp nestled in a lush riverine forest. The tented suites epitomize classic elegance with polished wooden floors and en suite bathrooms with glass-walled showers, twin hand-basins and a separate flush w.c. Each tent has a private deck overlooking the vast game-filled plains of the Masai Mara, and a personal butler will ensure your every need is catered for. Beautiful antiques adorn the comfortable sitting area and indoor/outdoor dining area, transporting you to the heyday of classic safaris. The camp also features a deep lap pool and a small African gift shop. Your private butler will serve you delicious Pan-African cuisine in the dining area, on the veranda or in a romantic setting under the stars. Bush breakfasts and candlelit dinners offer an unforgettable experience. There will be exciting morning and afternoon game-drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles and exhilarating night drives on the private concession, guided bush walks, Maasai community visits or spectacular sundowners with panoramic views across the Mara.

Day 8 - 11: Mombassa - Funzi Keys
After an action packed last few days we wind down and head to the beach. You will depart on the morning scheduled service to Nairobi where you then connect with the afternoon flight to the coastal town of Mombassa. A shared charter will be waiting to transport you to the sophisticated and exotic island off the Kenyan Coast. Ten cottages constructed of stone and thatch is set along the sand on the high water line. Stone mounted Jacuzzis offer fantastic sea views and you get to enjoy your private campfire lit every night on your oceanfront sitting area. Swimming, snorkeling, sailing, fishing are some of the activities on offer!
Day 12: Depart

After a relaxing break you will be transferred to the Airport for the flight back to Nairobi where you will connect with your outbound flight after an exciting holiday.