Recommended Kenya Safari Lodges
The Amboseli Ol Tukai Lodge
In the middle of Amboseli National Park, Ol Tukai is hidden in a forest of fever trees and palms. From your room, you can see a wide view of the countryside, sky, and wildlife, with Kilimanjaro in the background, its huge, majestic peak covered in snow.
On either side of the main house are cottage-style rooms with showers only. There is a house that is great for families, and there are also two rooms that are accessible for people in wheelchairs. The building is simple, with a lot of wood, local stone, and slate.
The lodge can host weddings because it has its own small chapel. It can also be used as an interesting and attractive place for a meeting, and all the necessary devices and tools are available. Morning and evening game drives can be paired with champagne breakfasts, bush dinners, or sundowners at the top of Observation Hill, where there is a great view in every direction.
In the afternoon, you can take a nap, get a massage, or go for a swim to cool off before going on a game drive to see the many animals and birds that live in Amboseli National Park. The area is known to have large groups of elephants. In the evening, there is Maasai dancing and traditional lectures that can be added on for an extra fee. Sit back, watch, listen, and take it easy; Ol Tukai has a lot to give.
Camp for Tortilis in Amboseli
The Tortilis Camp is on the edge of Amboseli National Park. It is tucked away in a forest of umbrella Acacia trees, which is how it got its name. There are 16 private tents in this camp, and each one has its own bathroom with a toilet and a hot shower.
The camp fits in with its surroundings because it was made from materials found in the area. People often think of Africa when they think of this camp. It’s famous for its tasty home-style food, great service, and stunning views of the sunset over Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.
Over a thousand elephants, herds of wildebeest, lions, and more than 300 kinds of birds live in Amboseli, making it an exciting and varied place to see wildlife. There are many things to do, like game drives in the early morning and late afternoon, horseback riding, guided game walks, trips to local communities, and bush dining.
For an extra fee, you can plan day trips to Chyulu Hills and Kimana Sanctuary. You could also just relax by the pool with a drink.
The Amboseli Serena – The Amboseli
The Amboseli Serena Lodge is located next to a group of huge acacia trees and a naturally running stream. It is in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is Africa’s tallest mountain. With Kilimanjaro’s tall, snow-capped peaks watching over the scene, there is no better place to be.
The rooms are designed with local Maasai style in mind, and they fit right in with their surroundings. Each room is uniquely decorated with real African art and murals made by a local African artist that have a very Maasai manyatta feel to them.
There are 92 rooms and 1 suite at Amboseli Serena. Some of the rooms have beautiful views of Mount Kilimanjaro. There is free internet, private balconies, and room service 24 hours a day. Aside from the three daily game drives, guests can enjoy bush eating and talks by the resident naturalist about the area’s culture and wildlife.
Maasai dance, music, and other forms of entertainment, or you can just chill out by the pool and watch the animals come to the nearby waterhole to drink. Lion, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, baboon, gazelle, and wildebeest are just some of the big animals that have made East Africa famous. They roam all around the camp. The lodge has a meeting room that is fully equipped and can fit a lot of people.
Campi Ya Kanzi in Chyulu Hills.
Campi Ya Kanzi, whose name means “camp of hidden treasure,” is in the best place for wildlife viewing in southern Kenya, near Amboseli and Tsavo. Tembo House is the name of the main area, which comes from the big elephants that live in the area.
This is the main area. The lounge and dining room are here, so people can hang out and relax between safaris. The beautiful Tembo House was built with local materials like wood and lava rock, and it is open to the nature around it. Anyone in any tent can see Mount Kilimanjaro, which is a very tall and beautiful mountain.
There are six high-end tented cottages in the camp. Each one sits on a big wooden platform and has its own verandah with stunning views. There are Colonial-style beds in the tents, and each bathroom has a shower, a sink, a flush toilet, a bidet, and hot and cold running water. A child’s cot can fit in a cottage, and two tents are close to each other, making them great for families.
Each tent has a Maasai person who takes care of it, and at night, a Maasai Askari (guard) walks around the camp. There is no set safari plan at Campi Ya Kanzi, so it feels very private and small. The atmosphere is also very laid-back.
The camp has game drives in the morning and afternoon, nature walks with a Maasai guide, and a place to watch the sun go down on one of the nearby volcanic hills.
Lodge Borana on the Laikipia Plateau
The town of Borana is in the north, in a valley that winds around the Laikipia Plateau at the base of Mount Kenya. Each of the eight separate cedar and stone-thatched houses is very roomy and has its own private verandah as well as a bathroom with a tub and shower.
The lodge fits in with its surroundings because it was made with rustic wood furniture and African fabrics that give it a natural look and feel. Borana has enough vegetables and dairy goods to meet its own needs.
Every cake, bread, and pasta is made from scratch. The camp has a swimming pool, walking safaris, game drives during the day and night, and trout fishing. For an extra fee, you can visit the nearby Ilngwesi traditional village and rhino conservancy, go horseback riding, play golf at the Mt. Kenya Safari Club, take a sightseeing flight around Mount Kenya, or go to the Aberdare National Park and the Samburu Game Reserve.
There is a lot of wildlife in the area, like cheetahs, lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and many kinds of animals. The lodge has also taken in and raised two lost bush pigs that are free to roam the grounds.
Lake Naivasha: Loldia House
On the western side of Lake Naivasha, Loldia House is tucked away among acacia trees. It is one of the oldest farms in the country; it was built during the Second World War, and the views of Mount Longonot, which is currently dormant, are amazing. In the old family home and cabins, there are different rooms with baths and showers. Many of the rooms still have their original furniture. Meals that make your mouth water are served in the dining room or under the trees.
It is easy to get to the flamingo lakes of Nakuru, Elementaita, and Bagoria from Loldia.
In the rhino refuge near Lake Nakuru, you can also get great views of black and white rhino. Guests can walk or ride a horse around the farm and see the cattle grazing next to ostrich flocks and bands of wild antelope like waterbuck and impala.
For an extra fee, you can fish and watch birds on Lake Naivasha, or you can go to the nearby Hell’s Gate National Park, which has beautiful mountains, hot springs, and animals.
The Mfangano Island Camp is in Lake Victoria.
This remote camp is on Mfangano Island in Lake Victoria, which is a pristine paradise. It is hidden from the rest of the world by tall fig trees. A light plane is the only way to get to the island. The plane arrives on a dusty airstrip, and then a speedboat takes you to the camp. Huge boulders line the water’s edge, giving cormorants and monitor lizards a place to rest and bask in the sun. Flowerbeds and rock gardens circle the camp.
The camp is in a private bay on the western coast of the island, and the houses are made in the style of the local Luo tribe out of clay and thatch. The main room, which has a living room and a dining room, is open and gets cool air from the lake. Each of the six rooms is close to the water and decorated with crafts made in the area. The bathrooms with separate toilets and modern fixtures are finished in stone from the area.
There are many things to do, such as watching birds, exploring islands, fishing for Nile Perch, and going to nearby towns and other islands. You can stay on Mfangano Island for the night, or you can take a day trip from the Masai Mara to get there. There are daily flights between Lake Victoria and the Masai Mara.
The Rusinga Island Lodge is on Lake Victoria.
It is on Rusinga Island, which is in the northeast of Lake Victoria. Huge wild fig trees grow right next to the water, and the park is home to many trees, flowers, and birds that are only found in this area.
Nine cottages on Rusinga Island are self-contained, and one is a family home with a twin room and a double room connected by a door. The houses are made from materials found in the area.
The lodge can give a range of activities because it is right on the water. You can fish for Nile perch and tilapia, ski, sail, or take a boat ride to one of the nearby bird islands, where you can see many types of birds.
Bird lovers can also enjoy fun walks and trails on the bird islands. A short walk from the lodge takes you to a gorge where you can see fossils from 20 million years ago. This is also the spot where, in 1946, Mary Leakey found Proconsul Heseloni, the last shared ancestor of humans and great apes.
Ruma National Park visits can be made for an extra fee, and a bush breakfast is an option for these visits. The park is home to many different kinds of animals and birds. You can see the last group of Roan antelopes, as well as the Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, Rothschild’s giraffe, leopard, buffalo, topi, and impala.
The Masai Mara and Siana Springs
Siana Springs is on the eastern edge of the Masai Mara. It is surrounded by swamps and scary fever trees. The camp has a peaceful environment with large safari-style tents set up under shady trees, perfectly capturing the romance of the early style pioneers.
This peaceful camp has an eating area where people can get together and a swimming pool, which is a great place to cool off on hot days. There are 38 large tents at Siana Springs. These classic safari huts are all set far apart from each other so that guests can enjoy privacy and seclusion.
There is a hanging cabinet, a large mirror for shaving and getting ready, a shower, and a toilet in each tent. The camp also has an indoor bar/lounge area and a relaxation deck where parties and dinners can be held by the pool. You can unwind in the indoor recreation/games room and play different board games. Near the front desk, there is a shop selling oddities and an art studio. A well-equipped but casual meeting room is tucked away in the trees, away from the main living and eating areas.
Elephant and leopard watch hides are great places to see these animals and many other animals as well. The lodge offers two daily game drives, bush dining, and sundowners from a lookout point. The local naturalist can also set up Maasai dancing and slide shows. The naturalist also leads walks through nature and to see birds, but these, like the balloon trips, cost extra.
Governor’s Camp in the Masai Mara
Governors Camp is the crown gem of Governors Camp for people who want a unique taste of what it’s like to be a Governor. The camp has 30 tents, and each one is set up differently. It’s great for families and groups.
Each tent has its own bathroom with a flushing toilet, a private porch, and a beautiful stretch of the Mara River all to itself. The furniture in each tent was made by hand. A lot of animals come to the Mara River to drink, and hippopotami live there and lay out in the sun. The tents are fancy, and the food is delicious.
When you add in the Governors’ family’s huge wealth, it makes it the perfect place for a trip. There are game drives in the morning and afternoon, wildlife walks, meals in the bush, and traditional Maasai dancing at the camp. For a one-of-a-kind experience, go on trips to see wildlife from the Governors’ hot air balloons.
The adventure starts right before dawn. As you float above the fields, everything is still. It’s easy to hear the sounds below, like a lion roaring or an elephant breaking through the bushes. When your balloon tour is over, you can enjoy a champagne breakfast cooked on the burners of the balloon in the middle of the bush. It is possible to plan fishing trips and balloon tours for an extra fee.
Governors’ Camp with IL Moran in the Masai Mara
Il Moran is a small, private camp in the Masai Mara’s wild and untamed area. It is tucked away in a bush by the Mara River. Birds and butterflies of many species live in the bush, and many animal species come to the river in front of the camp.
Along the banks of the river, there are tents that are each differently decorated. Each one has a private bathroom with flush toilets, a bath, and a shower. There is also a private verandah for each tent, and candles and gas lamps make it feel romantic. Even though there is a dining room, bar, and lounge, most of the meals are eaten outside or under the big trees in the bush. Either way, it’s a memorable experience.
The camp has nature walks, game drives in the morning and afternoon, meals in the bush, sundowners, and traditional Maasai dances. For a one-of-a-kind experience, go on trips to see wildlife from the Governors’ hot air balloons.
The adventure starts right before dawn. As you float above the fields, everything is still. It’s easy to hear the sounds below, like a lion roaring or an elephant breaking through the bushes. When your balloon tour is over, you can enjoy a champagne breakfast cooked on the burners of the balloon in the middle of the bush. It is possible to plan fishing trips and balloon tours for an extra fee.
Intrepids of Mara – Masai Mara
This place is in the Masai Mara National Reserve. For your comfort, there are separate huts with mosquito nets, ceiling fans, private verandahs, and bathrooms with showers only. Every four tents, there is an eating area with tables and a bar. Private events can be held in the grill area. The meeting center has everything it needs to serve delegates. Some of the things that can be done are game drives in the morning and afternoon, eating in the bush, nature walks, traditional dancing, and culture talks.
Leopards eat at the camp in the evening, which makes it a great place to take pictures. The native naturalist and culturalist give talks about the people and places in the area that are very interesting. Children are welcome at the camp, and there is a program just for them called the Adventurers Club that is meant to keep them busy. It is possible to book fishing trips and balloon tours for an extra fee.
Lodge at Sarova Mara – Masai Mara
It is right next to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, which is without a doubt the country’s best wildlife refuge. The wide fields contrasting with the faraway hills make for a unique background from which to enjoy the beautiful wildlife.
People from all over the world come to see the wildebeest migration every year from Tanzania’s Serengeti. The camp is on a hill, between two streams, and hidden in large gardens with well-kept grass and strange flowers.
The facilities include a dining area with seats inside and outside, as well as two bars, one inside with a fireplace and one by the pool. There is a pool and a shop with odd things. There are three tents that can hold up to 300 people for the meeting. Each room has its own bathroom with a shower and both hot and cold running water. The power is on all the time.
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are used for game drives, and guests can enjoy bush meals and sundowners. Two resident musicians play by the fire every night, and traditional Masai dancers perform in the evenings. For an extra fee, balloon trips can be set up.
Cottar’s Camp in the 1920s – Masai Mara
Cottar’s 1920s Camp is on a private concession that lies between the Serengeti, Mara, and Loliondo parks. The area is on the southern edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve. On the edge of a wooded valley, next to a spring, the camp has a great view of three different parks. The 9 huts are all very nicely decorated and have their own bathroom or dressing room with a toilet, a bucket shower, and if you ask, a safari-style tub.
The huts are made of traditional white canvas and are decorated with safari items from the 1920s. There are game drives in the morning and evening at the camp. Guests can choose to go in 4-wheel drive cars or a real old wooden car. For short trips, you can use an ox wagon. It also lets you fish, get aromatherapy massages, bathe in natural rock plunge pools, and use the library and reading room under the tents, which are filled with interesting artifacts from the Cottar’s long and interesting past.
Mount Meru’s Elsas Kopje
A secret place to stay on top of Mugwongo Hill in the Meru National Park’s old Northern Frontier District. The camp is named for Elsa, the lioness that Joy and George Adamson took in as a baby and raised until she was ready to go back to the wild in Meru.
There are no walls around Elsas Kopje, so the rocks around it are part of the building. With their beautiful views of the plains below, the eating area, lounge, and swimming pool are great places to relax and take it easy.
Each room is uniquely styled and has a light, airy feel to it. Some rooms have twin beds, and the rest have king-sized beds. It is important to note that each room has its own bathroom and a sunken tub with a view of the fields. Elsas Kopje lets you go on guided nature walks, go fishing, rafting on the Tana River, and eat in the bush in 4WD cars.
The Samburu Intrepids
One of the most amazing places to stay in Samburu National Park is Samburu Intrepids, which is right on the Uaso Nyiro River in the park’s beautiful wildness.
The public area is open and airy. This is where people eat and where they can relax in the bar or lounge area. Every room, including the main area, has a view of the river, where every day huge groups of elephants, buffalo, and other animals and birds come to drink.
Tents are used as lodging, and each one is set up by the river with its own private deck. The tents have mosquito nets, a minibar, a ceiling fan, four-poster beds, and a modern bathroom with a shower and a flush toilet. The furniture is made of beautiful wood.
There are game drives in the morning, bush breakfasts, bush dinners with candles, walking safaris with skilled Samburu guides, camel rides, amazing sundowners on top of hills, and even rafting when the river is flowing full-force.
The Shaba Lodge in Sarova
This mostly desert area is known as “Born Free” country. Joy Adamson and her lioness Elsa made it famous. Wildlife that is only found in this area lives in the park, such as the reticulated giraffe, the grevy’s zebra, the gerenuk, the beisa oryx, and the ostrich. Sarova Shaba is a haven for plants and animals, with sparkling spring water running through the grounds.
For people with a real sense of excitement, the lodge is a one-of-a-kind African spot. There are bedrooms with wooden roofs and luxury suites at the lodge. Each has its own toilet and bathroom with a shower and hot and cold running water.
There are also mosquito nets, fans, and power. The upper-level room has a jacuzzi as well. The hotel has a restaurant, two bars, a swimming pool with a waterfall, a gift and novelty shop, meeting rooms for up to 100 people, and a medical center. There are things to do like camel back safaris and game drives in four-wheel drive cars.
The Tsavo Galdessa Camp
Galdessa Camp is set in a beautiful spot on the wide Galana River in Tsavo National Park, Kenya’s biggest and wildest national park. The camp has a very laid-back vibe and is tucked away in the shade of doum palms. It was made to fit in with its surroundings by using earthy colors and natural woods all over.
The main eating room and lounge area, as well as all the guest rooms, have views of the Galana River and the Yatta Plateau beyond. There are 5 large tents, each with two twin beds, solar power, and a bathroom with a traditional bucket shower, flush toilets, and sinks.
Each high-end tent has a wooden floor and a palm-thatched roof. The front of the tent is made of canvas and opens up to a porch during the day. At night, the front is closed with a zipper. The lodge has both game drives and nature walks, but their specialty is eating in the bush and having sundowners in the hills nearby, where the views are stunning.
The Finch Hattons are Tsavo
This lodge is located at the base of the Chyulu Hills in the Tsavo National Park, which is a large, wild, and varied area. There is a dining hall, a lounge, a bar, and a terrace in the main room. Breakfast is served on the deck, which has a view of Mount Kenya and the main hippo pool.
There are many interesting period details in the eating area, such as a stone fireplace, a high vaulted ceiling, a chandelier, and latticed windows and doors. The tables are set with silverware, cut crystal, and porcelain.
There are high-end tents that all have power, a minibar, a bathroom with hot and cold running water, a sink, and a shower room with slate walls. To get out of the hot sun, the pool and balcony are great places to go. Finch Hattons has game drives in the morning and afternoon.
