Although we used Tripadvisor reviews when deciding to stay at this lodge, I have to say our expectations were not met on a 2-night stay in October 2011.  As an East African safari operator myself, I am more picky than most,and would notice details a first time visitor might miss. Overall this lodge would not rate more than 3 stars in my book.

The camp is located in the north western corner of the Lake Nakuru National Park, and while it is great to be inside the fence, the approach to the camp is directly under the high voltage line that runs across the park. We did, however have great jackal and buffalo experiences on the approach to the lodge.

The camp itself is 200 metres from a busy and noisy suburb of Nakuru town, and inevitably this put the urban cacophony of Nakuru within earshot of the rooms closest to the town, on the western side of the camp.  Most noticeable was the hooting of the local minibuses at dawn. The owners have been quite clever in trying to drown this out, by constructing artificial waterfalls near the tents to create white noise at night, and by playing piped music in the public areas. The piped music, however, is something I have never encountered in a bush lodge, and was at one point so intrusive in the dining room, that I couldn't have a conversation with my wife across the table over lunch. The camp is located on a flat piece of ground, and offers no views of the bush or the park.

The rooms are again, adequate, but nothing to compare with what is on offer elsewhere in Kenya these days. The A-frame tents with a concrete bathroom in the back are pretty formulaic. The tents were a little dark, and the finishing in the bathroom rough and ready. The room was comfortable, though, and the hot water bottle at night a welcome touch.

The decor was a bit cliched, with lots of animal-print cushions, but look out for the stunning aerial short of flamingos that hangs in the passage to the dining room. The grounds are well manicured, but would be more suited to a home in suburban Nairobi than a tented camp in a national park.

The staff were all friendly and responsive, and the briefing we arrived on arrival was thorough, if a bit parroted. On departure, I was disappointed to have the barman try to cheat me of my change. Also, the very friendly and personable head waiter, who had been great all along, made a point of waiting for me at reception to inform me that his tip was not included in the general staff tip box, and that I should pay him his tip separately. I found this strange and offensive.

The food portions were generous, but once again, the menu was uninspired, with cream soups, meat and 2 veg for main and stodgy desserts. Breakfast was a buffet that was fine.

Feral cats abound on the grounds,and on a nocturnal visit to the car park, I counted 9 in the visitors receiving area. I cannot imagine the cats are having a positive effect on the small wildlife of the park in and around the camp, and they further damage the ambience of a bush camp.

The pool was the highlight of the lodge for us. Little used, but sparkling, and surprisingly warm for this area, my son and I spent many a happy hour here. It uses some sort of salt-based purification system, which obviously works well. It offers a welcome respite attend of a hot and dusty game drive.