A LODGE WITH AN INTRIGUING HISTORY

Lake Elementaita Lodge managed by Jacaranda Hotels group was formerly Kekopey ranch built by maintains the same features and atmosphere of an early colonial home, reel brick building with shady terraces. an internal courtyard, paneled walls and a sitting room with a library and log fire. The original building houses the hotel's social areas while 33 twin and double bedrooms, each with a private bathroom in newer ‘cottages' are nestled away in the lush expansive flowered garden behind the original main building. In front of the hotel, a large terrace overlooks Lake Elementaita recognized as a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance) and home to millions of lesser flamingoes and also an important stop over for migrating birds.

Over 350 species of birds have been counted by the Lodge's naturalists who accompany guests on the guided nature walk to the bird watcher's paradise considered one of the most fabulous bird spectacles in the world. A hot spring believed by the local communities to have medicinal values feeds the lake from underground.

Situated 120 km horn Nairobi, 28 km from Nakuru and an altitude of 1G70 meters above the sea level, Lake Elementaita Lodge has a very rich history: Galbraith Lowry Egerton Cole was the 2nd son of the 4th Earl of Enniskelen and brother to Berkley Cole who was a year younger and farmed at Naro Moru.

1900: At the age of 19 Galbraith was sent to South Africa to fight the Boer war. He was invalidated from the war and made his way to Kenya where his sister Florence had married Lord Delamere. Lord Delamere first farmed in Njoro north of Nakuru but was beset by challenges and moved to this area and built up 100,000 acres farm (Soysambu Ranch) on the other side of Lake Elementaita between Naivasha and Nakuru

1905: Galbraith Cole first tried to farm beyond Thomson's falls between two Maasai areas and also had challenges thereby moving to Elementaita Ranch where he owned 30.000 acres adjoining Soysambu. Here he built a big cattle ranch. and piped water from the springs on Kekopey hills He hunted & shot hundreds of Zebras and encountered Lions. He imported 28 New Zealand Merino rams to cross with local sheep,?A of which unfortunately died of a mysterious disease!

1911: He accidentally shot a local who had stolen one of his precious sheep and on being tried was promptly deported, and went to German East Africa. In desperation. he returned to Kenya dressed like a Somali but then had to flee to Zanzibar. At the time. he was plagued with early stages of rheumatoid arthritis.

1914: Galbraith ’s mother pleaded his case with the British Government and was allowed to return to Kekopey Ranch.

1916: Galbraith met lady Eleanor Balfour who visited Kekopey with her cousin with whom she was staying in Nairobi.

1917: Galbraith returned to London to seek treatment for the arthritis and to marry Eleanor in December. Lady Eleanor was the niece of Lord Balfour, a former English prime minister.

1918: Galbraith and Eleanor returned to live at Kekopey and stayed in the Manager's house whilst his was completed. They had 2 sons David and Arthur.

1920: The farm was plagued with drought. fires, rinderpest, East coast fever and Galbraith himself was very ill.????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

1929: Blind on one eye and riddled with pain through arthritis and spending his days on a wheelchair, Galbraith Cole shot himself.

The monument or obelisk was put up by Lacey Eleanor in memory of her husband. 20 years later, she built the Church of Goodwill on the old road to Nakuru next to Kariandusi ?pre-historic site as a thanksgiving gesture to God ?for the safe return of her two sons from the 2nd, world war. Arthur Cole farmed and lived in this house whilst his mother lady Eleanor retired to the Manager's house. David Cole inherited the Solio ranch in Naro Moru from Berkeley Cole who hack died before Galbraith.

In 1977, the Kekopey farm was sold off to a Co-operative society and the land further sub divided into smaller plots to individual share” - holders. Excursions to the Church of Goodwill, Kariandusi prehistoric site, the guided nature walk, game drives to both Lake Nakuru National and Soysambu conservancy can be arranged from the Lodge. One also relaxes by the poolside enjoying the Lodge’s sumptuous meals and, - drinks from the Lodges main restaurant.??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Kekopey' is a??Maasai term meaning a?place where green turns white in relation to the soda and diatomite found around the Lake. Elementaita' is also derived from the Maasai term ‘Muteita' meaning a dusty place since the area around the Lake is dusty and dry between January and March.

Lord Cole is best remembered by his Grand daughter Lady Linda Muir as a man in whom the elements were so mixed in that nature might stand up and say to the world.

This was a Man!