Smiles Café

Southern Rift Valley


As basic as they come, this little green-and-white treasure offers cholesterol-filled fried breakfasts and hearty stews with a focus on dishes locals love.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Southern Rift Valley attractions

1. Crescent Island

4.12 MILES

This private island sanctuary can be reached by boat, or by driving across the narrow, swampy causeway from Sanctuary Farm. It's one of the few places in…

2. Elsamere

10.5 MILES

Stippled with sisal, yellow fever trees and candelabra euphorbia, this is the former home of the late Joy Adamson of Born Free fame. She bought the house…

3. Hell’s Gate Gorge

11.72 MILES

The gorge that runs through the heart of the park is a wide, deep valley hemmed in by sheer, rusty-hued rock walls. Marking its eastern entrance is…

4. Obsidian Cave

11.93 MILES

Close to the Elsa Gate end of the Buffalo Circuit, a side track leads for 2km to the Obsidian Cave, where you’ll find moderately interesting examples of…

5. Hell's Gate National Park

12.57 MILES

Dry, dusty and dramatic but infinitely peaceful, Hell's Gate is that rare Kenyan park made for bicycles and exploring on foot. Large carnivores are very…

6. Crater Lake Game Sanctuary

12.64 MILES

Surrounding a beautiful volcanic crater lake fringed with acacias, this small sanctuary has many trails, including one for hikers along the steep but…

7. Longonot National Park

13.15 MILES

One of the shapeliest peaks in all the Rift Valley, Mt Longonot (2776m) and its serrated crater rim offer fabulous views. The dormant volcano rises 1000m…

8. Lake Oloiden

13.49 MILES

Lake Naivasha may be a freshwater lake, but it is the alkaline waters of its near neighbour Lake Oloiden that draw small but impressive flocks of…