Thomson's Falls Lodge was built by Joseph Thomson, after he discovered the Thomson's Falls. Joseph Thomson was the first to reach the falls in 1883 and named them after his father. Joseph was a Scottish geologist and naturalist who was also the first European to walk from Mombasa to Lake Victoria in the early 1880's. The 72 m( 243 ft) scenic waterfall on the Ewaso Ngiro river which drains from the Aberdare mountain range, is located in Nyahururu, Laikipia, at 2,360 m, also known as the highest town in Kenya. The area was originally a part of the indigenous forest surrounding the famous falls which to date is a home to many animals like the Columbus monkeys and various bird species. This was a haven for Thomson who decided to settle here and went ahead to construct a sprawling cottage facing the falls. The main house was brick cottage sprawled on the beautiful manicured lanes which has been maintained to date. After the discovery of the amazing falls, the place begun to receive many guests and Sir Thomson figured that he could not accommodate them all in his house, so he came up with the idea of building cottages within his compound to accommodate the large influx of guests at a small fee.

Most of his guests were white explorers and game hunters who were fascinated by the beauty and the stories of the falls and also used to flock Laikipia during the game hunting season.. In 1931, he built a total of 32 self contained cottages round the main house, which can still be seen to date. The idea picked up and the lodge grew every year as more guests visited the amazing Thomson's fall.

After many years of the Lodge changing ownership, the cottages still remain to date and the various managements have done their best to retain the originality of the place. The cottages still maintain the colonial era feel but a few additions have been done like modern beds and wifi in the rooms. The main house over the years has been converted into the main restaurant, bar, reception and the main kitchen on the ground floor, with the administration block taking the upstairs space. You can still find artefacts, paintings and the original wooden floors put up by the founder, Mr. Joseph Thomson in the main building. To date a large pepper tree, planted by the immediate management that took over from Sir Joseph, stands in the premises as a reminder and in honour of the famous European. Thomson's Falls Lodge has grown to be the major lodge in the whole of Laikipia and its environs Nyandarua among others. To date the Lodge receives and accommodates guests from the founder's family who visit the falls every July without fail and spends at least a month at the lodge while visiting and enjoying other tourist attractions that have come up over the years. The falls by itself attracts visitors from all over the world. The colourful birds, the nature trail to the base of the falls and the traditional dancers by the falls are among the activities found here. Among other attractions nearby are the Hippo sanctuary, which is a kilometre away from the lodge, Aberdare National park, Solio ranch and the famous Ol Pajeta Conservancy, all a haven of the big five. Game drives to these attractions can be organized by the lodge for our clients.