Naivasha is a healing balm. There is something in the translucent quality of the air, the green of the fever trees, the calm of the water and the abundance of wildlife that seeps into my soul and brings me peace. It is my go-to destination whenever the hustle of the city and the bustle of everyday life gets me down. A trip to Naivasha was long overdue. Last weekend it was the Naivasha Farmers Market which made the perfect excuse for an immersion in tranquillity.
The worst thing about Naivasha Farmer Market is that it only happens every two months; set in the idyllic surrounds of Longonot Farm, a ring of tents sits around shorn grass and ancient trees that grow near the lake water. Some 20 stalls hold an array of delights. We spend a good hour walking around sampling cheese, bread, olives and biltong and come home with a car filled with pickles, pasties, preserves and art. You will find a farm stall with mammoth organic vegetables, a local beer stand, a second-hand bookshop, African clothing, wax wrap cloths, ice, cream, freshly churned butter, home-dried teas, healing stones, jewellery, pottery and much more. The emphasis is on local, home grown and sustainable as is evidenced by the fact that most of the people standing behind the stalls have grown and made the products themselves. It’s a real community event with the entrance fees gong towards a nominated charity and the money you spend on delicious foodstuffs and crafts gong to back to the community.
A family and community event
It’s more than just a market though; it’s a family event in a way that no market in Nairobi seems to have managed yet (hence the huge number of Nairobians I saw there). There is a bar, a Pimms tent and pimp your own prosecco bar. There are fat German sausages and a lamb roasting on a spit and giant scotch eggs. In the centre of the market are numerous shaded picnic tables. A band starts to play and mouths turn upwards as the place is infected with a holiday vibe. Little kids dance and old men snooze and the mummies and daddies drink their drinks in peace because their children are fully entertained.
Entertainment for the kids
The best bit about the farmers market must be the instant disappearing fact that my kids perform as soon as we arrive. Inevitably we bump into school friends and you may occasionally catch sight of a great gang of kids climbing a tree or hiding under a table. There is a FREE bouncy castle, swings and sometimes a scavenger hunt. They can go on camel rides and eat candyfloss and ice cream. The enclosed community environment means you need never worry about your children's safety.
A stonking day out, just an hour from Nairobi. The next market is a Christmas spectacular on the 5th of December. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
I have stolen this list of vendors from Yummy https://yummy.co.ke/naivasha-farmers-market-at-longonot-farm/
- Cloud Kuku/Feather Tree- handmade crochet and fabric items (laundry bags, eye masks, cushions, feather earrings & hair extensions)
- Michael Wallington- Farm fresh butter & cream
- Baraka Farm- Gouda cheese
- Baraka Israel- wine, spices, tahini, olive oil etc
- Charles Njoroge- Mushrooms
- David & Shazia Jenkins- flavoured mozarella
- Sweet Art Creations- artisan chocolates
- Naivasha Children’s Shelter- beaded items
- Rory Green/Coomete farm- fruit, veg, flowers
- Sharon Gent- hand made wooden kitchen trays + resil ‘pottery’
- Meerah Shah- Museli, hummus, pancake mix, nut mix, garlic butter, salsa etc
- Cedar Farm- organic fruit & veg
- Erastus Muasa- palm calved wooden bowls
- Sugar & Spice- cupcakes & confectionary
- Veronica Awour (farm shop)- pickles, chutneys etc
- Asili Cereals- gluten freen cookies & granola
- House of Cindimini- jewellery
- Esen Clothing- upcycled denim jackets
- Ecofresh/ME moringa- Moringa products
- Rachel Van Eade- wines & spirits
- Tope Pottery- pottery
- Covfefe cooks- Indian food
- Covfefe shoppe- sweet hampers
- JB- soups, cheese crackers
- Santorini Deli- Greek food
- Madrine- olives
- Picnic Kikapu- honey
- Linda’s Nut Butter- nut butters
- Nick Mwai- pulled pork
- Longonot Farm/Naivasha Farmers’ Market spit roast lamb + salads
- Joosmoo- Fresh juices
- Greenhouse Bakery- baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, coffee (hot & iced)
- Jamal Emerich- German sausages
- Chai & Crepes- crepes
- John Scully/Nairobi organic market- fresh veg & herbs
- Wild Earth Botanics- natural cosmetics
- Ahmed Eldah- carpets & rugs
- Zanji Art- jewelry
- Raw Treats Naivasha- biltong, muesli, cookies etc
- Sea Garden- healing crystals
- Longonot Farm- lamb cuts, whole chickens, eggs, potted herbs, fresh veg etc.
What to do in Naivasha
Looking for other stuff to do in Naivasha. Why not have lunch at Camp Carnellys- the pizzas are amazing and we had some pretty special Rosemary and Raspberry Gin & Tonics on Saturday. Further along the lake is the divinely peaceful Ranch House with their infamous Camembert pizza. Head to the Lake Naivasha Country Club for a buffet lunch and to watch hippos wallow off the shore. Get even closer to them by arranging a boat trip from the jetty at Carnellys.
Burn off those calories with a walk on Crescent Island. Possibly one of the most beautiful Game Parks in the area, this peninsula allows you get to close to the wild Giraffe, Waterbuck, Wildebeest, Zebra and Gazelle who live here. Occasionally you will spot a buffalo (which are monitored) and hyena visit at night. Look out for one of the many python or the extraordinary bird life. Nothing says Naivasha to me like the call of a Fish Eagle.
Where to stay in Naivasha
Make a weekend of it and stay over. Camp Carnellys does basic and inexpensive bandas, as well as camping. Slightly more expensive and luxurious, Sanctuary farm offers the same. Looking for a house then head to East African Retreats and spend a weekend in one of the hidden colonial manors that border the lakeshore.
Naivasha Farmers Market
- When: every two months – at the time of writing the next market is Saturday 7th December 2019. 11am – 4pm
- Naivasha is just an hour and a half from Nairobi
- Where: Longonot Farm, South Lake Road, Next to Sopa Lodge
- Who: a not for profit market where proceeds go to local charities and back into the local community. Find them on Facebook here.
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