Our newest addition at Loldia House is an eight-seater panga boat, purpose-built for adventure and named MV Furukombe. Powered by a 100HP four-stroke engine, Furukombe offers smooth, confident cruising and the ability to explore further across the lake in comfort.
Its name comes from the Swahili word for fish eagle, a fitting tribute to one of Lake Naivasha’s most iconic residents. Making it even more meaningful, the name was chosen by the Loldia House team themselves, giving Furukombe a strong sense of character, pride, and ownership from the very start.
Sunrise aboard MV Furukombe – photo credit Sam Whitton
At over 6,000 feet above sea level, Lake Naivasha sits quietly in the heart of the Rift Valley, reflective and undeniably beautiful. Fringed by papyrus, alive with birdlife and framed by the dramatic silhouette of Mount Longonot, the lake has long been part of the Loldia House experience.
Boat rides have always offered guests a gentle way to explore these waters, gliding past hippos and watching fish eagles soar overhead. Now, with the arrival of a new boat at Loldia House, this much-loved experience enters an exciting new chapter.
Lake Naivasha birds – photo credit Felix Rome
With its increased power and range, guests can now explore further across Lake Naivasha, including scenic trips to Crescent Island in just 30 minutes. This means more time on the water, broader horizons, and deeper immersion in the landscapes and wildlife that make this region so special.
Enjoying rides aboard the new boat – photo credit Sam Whitton
Crescent Island is a peninsula that becomes an island when lake levels are high, offering one of the most unique walking safari experiences in Kenya.
Guided walks on Crescent Island – photo credit Sam Whitton
Accompanied by one of our guides, guests can step ashore and walk among wildebeest, waterbuck, zebra, giraffe and other plains game, with no vehicles and no fences. The shoreline is rich with birdlife, including pelicans, cormorants, and fish eagles, while the top of the island offers a 360-degree panoramic view. From here, the Great Rift Valley unfolds in every direction, from Mount Longonot and Hell’s Gate to the Mau Escarpment, Eburu Forest, and the Aberdares beyond.
Crescent Island – photo credit Sam Whitton
Our new boat also makes it easier for guests to visit one of the region’s most important conservation partners, the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust (KBoPT).
The Trust is a registered Kenyan not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, research and conservation of birds of prey. Their work combines long-standing field experience with modern research methods to better understand raptor populations and protect them across Kenya. We are proud to be a major supporter of KBoPT. Our contributions include covering the monthly cost of high-quality meat for rescued birds, funding poison-response kits, owl boxes, and X-ray equipment, and donating a solar freezer to the Soysambu Raptor Centre.
Kenya bird of Prey Trust – photo credit Sam Whitton
While the arrival of MV Furukombe brings new routes and new possibilities, it represents more than just an upgrade. It reflects our commitment to continually evolving the guest experience, deepening connections with nature, and supporting meaningful conservation efforts in the landscapes we call home.
From quiet shoreline cruises to far-reaching lake journeys, MV Furukombe invites guests to see Lake Naivasha in a new way, expansive and full of discovery.
By Ann Mbaabu for www.governorscamp.com
