Best Luxury Accommodations in Kenya

Arijiju House is an exclusive-use luxury retreat; a beautiful, private residence in the game-rich, Kenyan Highlands with rare, truly wild luxuries—a spectacular retreat on the Borana Conservancy on Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau. Arijiju’s architecture borrows from the Kenyan tradition of grouping rooms to house multi-generations, with three suites in the main house and two generous cottages along a stone pathway. Essentially a large private villa, it is a stylish grassed-roof construction designed to blend seamlessly into the hillside on which it sits and offers a new standard of luxury for the area. Throughout the communal areas at Arijiju Retreat, the design is inspired by styles both African– there are references to the famous monasteries of neighbouring Ethiopia, and the entire structure is clad in local Meru stone – and European, with chandeliers and first-rate western-style furnishings. Nourishment is the cornerstone of Arijiju’s philosophy. Using local, farm-reared beef and poultry, local herbs and vegetables from our organic kitchen garden, our chefs create delicious, healthy dishes with low-or-no food miles, and allow you to tailor your menus from indulgent to slimming, vegan, and/or gluten-free. There is a candle-lit lounge and bar area, a library and office, a spa house, a gym, a yoga studio, tennis and squash courts, and an infinity pool with views over a waterhole frequented by elephant, rhino, cheetah, giraffe and many other species. There is a fourteen-strong staff in attendance, including the butler, chefs and a ranger. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. The indulgent 19 m (65 ft) infinity swimming pool, often also enjoyed by elephants to quench their thirst, offers the ideal respite after a warm Kenyan day’s adventure.  To the north and east of Arijiju lie snow-capped mountains, dense forests and sprawling deserts, while to the south looms Mount Kenya. Open fences and corridors allow for safe passage for animals on migration, while radio collars on elephant matriarchs and roaming lions help inform and divert human-wildlife conflict. As such, Laikipia has emerged as the only region in Kenya where wildlife numbers have increased over the past 20 years. The vision of one determined character, Arijiju is quite unlike any other safari lodge. It's also a secret weapon in the battle to save rhinos from extinction. A SANCTUARY FOR ADVENTURE: read more read less

The most fascinating thing about Giraffe Manor is its herd of resident Rothschild’s giraffe who may visit morning and evening, sometimes poking their long necks into the windows in the hope of a treat, before retreating to their forest sanctuary. Giraffe Manor can be booked for the night or as part of a complete tailor-made safari. Giraffe Manor has extraordinary appeal, that harks back to the 1930s when European visitors first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris. With its stately façade, elegant interior, verdant green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards, guests often remark that it’s like walking into the film Out of Africa: indeed, one of its twelve rooms is named after the author Karen Blixen. read more read less

Cherish the vastness of Kenya‘s wilderness from your lavish double bed, which can be wheeled outdoors for an incomparable night under the stars . Loisaba Star Beds is by far one of the most unique properties. Perched on a rocky kopje amidst Loisaba Conservancy’s lush savannah, we love that this camp provides you with one of the world’s most phenomenal experiences – sleeping under the stars, and spectacular sunrise right from your four poster. A vacation here will probably have the wildest of experience and memories. read more read less

ROMANTIC AND MAGICAL Get an extra free night when you book for 3 Nights at Sand at Chale Island. This tranquil and secluded hotel offers a simple, relaxed atmosphere on a small coral island. A diverse mixture of indigenous and tropical Flora that attracts a wide variety of fascinating insect and primate life. All this combined with the loving care of the  staff will make your holiday on Chale Island intriguing, relaxing and warmly memorable. We can't think of anything better. Valid till October 31.   read more read less

Bankrolled by one of Lewa’s donors, Kifaru House is a no-expenses-spared, eco-conscious luxury lodge. A gorgeous sprawl of thatch, windows and light, is an exclusive-use lodge in the heart of the privately owned Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, home to East Africa’s healthiest black and white rhino populations, this bijou property appropriately takes its name from the Swahili word for rhino. A visit to Elewana Kifaru House is to plunge into the timeless tranquillity of Africa. Kifaru House is situated in the northern foothills of Mount Kenya, on a privately owned 65,000-acre piece of wild land. All the Big Five are present, along with plentiful other games and some awe-inspiring landscapes and vistas. The house, which combines colonial style with modern comforts, is perched on a hill with 360-degree views. It's the perfect spot for a private safari group of up to 12 guests. A haven of luxury in the bush, guests will immediately feel at home on arrival, warmly welcomed by the friendly and attentive staff.  The comfortable sitting room with a well-stocked bar and elegant dining area extends out to a large, comfortably furnished terrace. Here, guests can enjoy a sunny breakfast al fresco and watch the busy goings-on at the waterhole below, or they can choose to relax by the picturesque infinity pool and enjoy the magnificent views over the distant plains. The property luxuriates in total exclusivity with five charming thatched cottages tucked away in an oasis of vibrant lawns, filled with birdsong. All have well-appointed bedrooms, with sumptuous four-poster beds and generous en-suite bathrooms. read more read less

  Angama Mara is a luxury safari lodge in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, on the edge of the Oloololo escarpment, enjoying spectacular views over the savannah. The word ‘Angama’ is Swahili, meaning ‘to be suspended in mid-air’. The lodge’s remarkable setting overlooks what many safari travellers deem the finest game reserve on the continent, Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Impeccably designed to make the most of its enviable location, high on the escarpment overlooking the Masai Mara. Here you'll experience the thrill of having nothing but canvas between you, the Mara, and year-round abundant wildlife right on your doorstep. The Maasai Mara never fails to deliver extraordinary wildlife sightings: pride of lion, solitary leopards, the shy black rhino, and abundant herds of elephant and buffalo are all found here in and amongst bountiful plains game. Experience a genuinely classic safari in many ways at Angama Mara. Guests will find a lodge where everything is as it ought to be: two intimate camps of just fifteen tented suites each, a private airfield and access to the Mara below, tailor-made safari days and a famously warm Kenyan welcome. The lodge is perfectly complemented by Angama Safari Camp, an exclusive-use mobile tented camp sited deep in the Mara Triangle, and amidst the mega herds during the Great Migration. Tented Suites Perched right on the edge of the escarpment, each of Angama Mara’s spacious 100 sqm Tented Suites has floor-to-ceiling glass spanning all along the front to make the most of the dramatic views. The interiors are uncluttered, classic and above all, comfortable with splashes of Maasai Red, French Khaki, copper and brass. Food & Drink You won't be disappointed by the delicious array of food on offer during your stay. The simple but hearty fare is all freshly made with great attention to detail, and dietary requirements are happily catered for. You can enjoy meals served in the main communal dining area, by the pool or even on your private deck. Picnics in the Mara are also provided, while coffee and tea are delivered each morning with your wake-up call. Afternoon tea is also served every afternoon, complete with cake sandwiches and scones. Guest Areas For the guest areas, inspiration was drawn from Nairobi’s Muthaiga Club famously featured in Out of Africa. The space is essentially one room entirely wrapped in stacking glass doors with no defined sitting room or dining room, leading to the expansive deck and baraza floating off the edge of the escarpment. read more read less

Sirikoi Lodge feels like a grand family home in the bush and is among the best luxury lodges in Kenya. Sirikoi Lodge is located in a private 7000-acre area which forms part of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Basking on the banks of the Sirikoi River the lodge has some of the best game viewing in this entire area. The camp looks out onto a permanent water hole and small salt lick that attracts a wide variety of animals. Built by Willie and Sue Roberts, second-generation Kenyans and conservationists, Sirikoi comprises a main lodge, a three-bedroom house, a two-bedroom cottage— each crowned by an imposing thatched roof—and four tents facing a watering hole, for great armchair game viewing. The feeling that you’ve entered a private home suffuses the place, from the lovingly tended gardens to the photos and heirlooms collected by the family over the years. On some evenings, Willie and Sue will join their guests around the campfire for a sundowner or two. The living spaces are impeccably done in muted earth tones and white plaster floors, accented with handmade rugs, African art and textiles, fur throws, and a fireplace. The tents are mini versions of houses, sharing their palette and style, plus saucer-like comfy chairs on the raised porch for wildlife gazing. Lewa is teeming with reticulated giraffes, black and white rhinos, Grevy’s zebra, leopard, cheetah, and lion, while elephants regularly wander through Sirikoi’s backyard. In addition to morning and evening game drives, you can do a bush walk with a ranger, a horseback ride across the plains, fly in a helicopter up to Mount Kenya to go fly fishing, or do a quad bike safari for an overnight campout. read more read less

The private villa features a large lushly landscaped veranda and private infinity-edge pool with unforgettable views of the Indian's Ocean changing tides. Guests will enjoy the rolling lawn that flows from the pool and terrace down to an intimate beach. The concept is as you please! Private dining is a la carte, served al fresco or in your villa - your choice, as too is the cuisine. All meals are included served daily at, and all drinks including local and imported brands of alcohol. read more read less

Nay Palad Bird Nest is a one-of-a-kind accommodation on the grounds of Segera Retreat, an award-winning sustainable luxury destination. Perched amid the treetops on a river teeming with wildlife, the Bird Nest offers views of the plains by day that are matched only by those of the stars at night. In the morning, guests awaken to the magical sounds of animals at play. Ever fancied spending the night in a bird’s nest? Probably not, but you may wish to consider it now. Welcome to the Nay Palad Bird Nest, Africa’s latest quirky and luxurious safari lodge, located in the wilds of Kenya - a raised suite that offers 360-degree views over the surrounding plains of Laikipia. Part of the Segera Retreat and built next to a river well-stocked with wildlife, this two-level suite was built with interwoven tree branches and a circular viewing platform up top. read more read less