With Indian visitors now accounting for up to a quarter of its international guests, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge is witnessing a post-COVID boom fuelled by direct flights and strong local tour operator partnerships. Lodge Manager Judy Mukabi shares how the property is winning over Indian families, honeymooners, and photography enthusiasts—not just with prime rhino-viewing locations and spacious 75 sqm rooms, but with culinary touches like Jain menus and interactive ‘Koroga’ chef experiences. As the upcoming Zakaria Gate slashes travel time to the lodge, Mukabi explains why responsible tourism, heartfelt service, and a unique blend of Rift Valley views are setting them apart in Kenya’s competitive safari landscape.
By Hazel Jain
How is the Indian market performing for your lodge?
We have seen growth in the Indian market. They constitute about 20–25% of our international visitors, and the numbers are increasing each year, especially after COVID. The growth is due to direct flight connectivity and strong support from the local Indian tour operators. Direct bookings are minimal; most bookings come through travel agents and DMCs who play a key role in driving business from the market.
What segments book with you the most?
Families make up most of our bookings reflecting on our family-friendly brand. We have seen a rise in multi-generational travel, with Indian families choosing to travel together as a family (grandparents to grandchildren). We also welcome a good number of honeymooners seeking intimate and memorable stays.
How do you plan to stand out from your competitors?
Food quality is key to the Indian travellers. Our chefs curate exceptional dining experiences, offering diverse culinary selections that cater to varied palates while incorporating fresh, locally sourced ingredients. There has also been a growth in photography safaris, with travellers seeking destinations that offer rare wildlife encounters. Our strategic location provides photographers with prime locations to capture extraordinary shots.
The upcoming opening of Zakaria Gate will significantly reduce travel time to the lodge. Guests travelling will enjoy quicker, more convenient access to our property, as well as those travelling to Maasai Mara. This allows them to make the most of their stay.
In addition to our hospitality efforts, we actively champion sustainability through our partnership with our sustainability arm, Land and Life Foundation. Our initiatives include donating essential food supplies (cereals), to Naishi Comprehensive School. We also promote environmental conservation through glass recycling projects by our staff members where we transform waste materials into décor while reducing our ecological footprint.
What are your lodge’s USP that you want the travel agents in India to know?
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge offers an unmatched safari stay by combining a prime location within Lake Nakuru National Park, with dramatic Rift Valley and lake views as well as immersive wildlife and birdwatching experiences. Inspired by the traditional African round houses with conical roofs, our rooms are thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with the community and the surrounding environment to create a sense of place. Our spacious rooms range from 35 sqm -75sqm which are ideal for multi-generational families.
We also offer diverse culinary experiences catering for different clientele – Jain, vegetarian, barbeque and ‘Koroga’ (where guests get to cook for themselves as they engage with our chef) – Ideal for groups and families. Our dedicated team is always ready to welcome and assist guests, ensuring every stay is seamless and memorable, delivered with genuine warmth and heartfelt smiles.
Our lodge provides the ideal setting for wildlife experiences. At Lake Nakuru National Park, guests can encounter the most roaming rhinos alongside a variety of birds. Our activities include game drives, nature walk to archery and more.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
