highs * The sheer splendor of the property it is absolutley breathtaking in every way! * If Dodo is around - she is a witty, intelligent and gorgeous host, for the single ladies out there - best to hope for her son! * Picnics by the lake and just taking lazy boat rides on the lake in the afternoons is magical. * Horse riding inthe area is wonderful - you ride among the herds of Zebra onthe estate it is WILD!

lows * The roads to Naivasha are appalling - liberally dotted with potholes which are big enough to sink even the toughest land rover - it is best to eat the cost and fly in! * On your own you can feel kind of lost in the opulence but with a group of your best friends this is the ultimate private getaway.

Dodo's Tower: Consistently rated as one of the top retreats in the world, the eight-story Tower is one of the most luxurious and less known of Kenyan hideaways. Custom-built by Dodo Cunningham-Reid for seasoned romantics, guests are able to enjoy breath-taking views over Oloidien Bay and follow at eagle-eye the movements of the hippos grazing at the foot of the Tower. From the first floor verandah nature lovers can enjoy a safe and relaxing sunset viewing while the top meditation room is reserved to those who want to plunge silently into the essence of Africa.  A romantic morning breakfast is served outside, under the towering acacias, while in the evening intimate candlelit dinners bring the guests back to bygone days of wild simplicity and unspoiled elegance. In the four double rooms no luxury or detail has been overlooked to create a tranquil haven and a truly inspiring aesthetic experience. A traditional English garden of scented roses and lush lawns contrasts sharply with the yellowish dusty tree trunks of the surrounding acacias; the resident buffalo, giraffe, hippo, zebra and gazelle stand out against the soft, cozy comforts of Russian bed linen and warm wooden floors and bathtubs. Eight double bedrooms, a secluded swimming pool, an open gazebo for invigorating body treatments, and a team of dedicated staff will provide guests with the perfect base from which to enjoy the surrounding African wilderness.

"May the magic last many years and may I be around often to witness it. We are privileged to enjoy your taste of beauty, taste and fun." Alan and Simone

"Dodo, we are very proud of you, we loved to be here with you." Anita

"The house was very nice and beautiful. The view was lovely and it is the best place to see hippos. It was very good. Thank you Dodo" Chloe

"As Tchaikovsky played, the giraffes floated by on a Saturday afternoon in a magic place called The Tower and though I do not believe in God or paradise or perfection there was perfection in what Dodo made and a blueprint for paradise and I think that God was there. With grateful hearted thanks." Susan

 

The wildlife sanctuary hosts a large number of zebras, kongoni, giraffe, impala, Thompson gazelle, waterbuck, baboons, colobus monkey, vervet monkey, dik-dik, buffalo, ardvak, as well as more than 600 bird species that have made lake Naivasha one of the world's most famous lakes for bird watching. But the ultimate attraction are the hippos whose amphibian nature and prehistoric body mass attracts the imagination of many young and old visitors. Hippo Point boasts of having one of the densest population of hippos in Africa. At present six families of hippos are being studied and a research project on the lakeside fringe of papyrus is also underway funded by the Centre for Earth and Environmental Science of New York State University. Hippo Point is also member of the Nakuru Wildlife Forum, an independent body of private stakeholders in the Nakuru/Naivasha area whose aim is to conserve and protect the remaining flora and fauna of the Rift Valley basin. Hippo Point has recently been granted a Conservancy status. The formal registration of the Conservancy will significantly strengthen its capacity to support conservation in the area in partnership with the now internationally recognised Lake Naivasha Riparian Association.

Nephew to the late Lord Mountbatten, Michael Cunningham-Reid arrived in Kenya in 1948. His mother, Mary Ashley, daughter to Sir Wilfred Ashley, later Lord Mount Temple, had married Lord Delamere in a second marriage. After his mother second marriage, Michael decided to give Kenya a try. He was 20 years old and fresh out of the army. Life in an African colony had certainly more appeal to a twenty years old than a predictable social life back in England. After independence in 1963 and after hunting was banned in Kenya the highlights and struggles of colonial life slowly but surely started dissolving into a safe, photographic tourism industry whose main offer was the remaining wildlife. Michael's views were pretty down to earth: the only way to save the remaining wildlife is to buy land in Kenya. As if destiny heard him Nderit estate, locally known as Hippo Point, came up for sale. Michael was thrilled to be back in Naivasha and in full view of the Ndabibi plains where as a twenty year old he had farmed and lived. The passion to protect the remaining wildlife took hold of them. The first step into this direction was to create a house that would befit the surroundings and not disturb the game. That's how the Tower was born, a homage to Africa. The wooden Tower is harmoniously integrated into the surrounding fever tree woodland and offers one an eagle-eye, a stunning view over the lake, the resident family of hippo, flamingo, pelican and fish eagles. Four years down the road when the Tower was finished, Dodo took on a new challenge: the restoration of the original colonial house on the estate's grounds. Today, thanks to her determination, Hippo Point House offers all the comforts of a lovingly and beautifully restored ancestral home and is the perfect place for guests to get close to wildlife that the estate naturally hosts.

Since their creation, the unique architecture of the Tower and Hippo Point's detailed restoration have had free coverage from the main top fashion, interior design and travel magazines. Many high profile editors, journalists and photographers have been on location trying to capture the stylish atmosphere of the interiors and the free roaming wildlife. Hippo Point has continuos inquiries from new magazines and books to come. The high appeal of the estate to fashion designers has encouraged the creation of Hippo Point's shop, with Dodo's own designs on sale as well as other selected pieces from Kenya, the Swahili coast and India. In The Tower as dusk comes, you can listen in safety to the noises of animals hunting and watch the mountains flush red violet as the sun spreads its brilliance, the light changes and changes. Tatler (April 1996)

The Tower holds to its surroundings, particularly in the morning and evening light, when it looks like another tree trunk. Architechtural Digest (September 1995)

The mood is overwhelmingly romantic with lots of special touches crystal vases full of roses in every room and crisp white linen on magnificent beds, recalling the spirit of colonial luxury. Safari Style, by Tim Beddow and Natasha Burns (Coffee Table Book)

The private world Hippo Point offers is one of the most special holiday experiences in Africa. Our activities, facilities and tailor made safari activities far exceed the two-day stop-off on African safaris. The idea is for guests to experience Kenya and what Kenya has to offer from an old family home, taking and making time to absorb the African world from one single location, in true style. Our weekly rental offer is ideally suited for a family or a group of friends. Guests are able to enjoy exclusive use of the property and its facilities. With our deep knowledge of Kenya, we are able to organize a whole range of activities from deep sea fishing, walking and riding safaris, bird shooting, polo and much more. Having an airstrip onsite allows guests to charter a helicopter or plane to visit all of Kenya's top safari destinations, Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, with the services of a qualified Professional Safari Guide without having to drive to national airports.

The suggested guideline for tipping is $10 per person a day at each property visited. The tips are collectively gathered from all guests after their stay at each property and distributed amongst the staff, you either give the tips to the manager or usually there is a staff tip box within which to put your tips. The tips are then divided equally amongst all the staff on the property. Many people like to leave a little extra with their dedicated guides on game drives as they spend so much time with them and it is perfectly fine to give the tip directly to the guide. For guides we suggest approximately $30-$50 total for a stay of 3 days. If you feel your guide has been exceptional, some guests will sometimes give up to $100.

Year Round