About Eden Nairobi
Set on an acre of wooded gardens in a quiet, leafy suburb of Nairobi, Eden Nairobi immediately feels like home.
Eden Nairobi, formerly known as One Forty Eight, is the former home of Ana Trezebinski and her artist husband Tonio, whose striking artworks are still displayed throughout the property. The house was acquired by Liz Fusco and Richard Roberts – of the Roberts safari dynasty – and converted into a boutique hotel in 2016. Run with that perfect blend of informality and unfussy professionalism that has found its way into good properties across Kenya, it makes for a very comfortable introduction or a memorable conclusion to a high-end Kenyan safari.
Our view
We have thoroughly enjoyed both our stays at Eden Nairobi. Comfortable beds, nice lighting, sensible bathrooms, lots of power points and excellent food ticked all the boxes for us. With its semi-rural location, despite being just five minutes from the Giraffe Centre, this is a great choice for a comfortable start or finish to a Kenyan itinerary.
Accommodation
8 rooms
Children
Children not accepted.
Open
All year
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Elephant encounter
Traveller reviews of Eden Nairobi
1 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Arrived 27 Feb 2019, 2 nights
"One Forty Eight review"
Overall rating: Excellent































Expert Africa's gallery
When we travel we take lots of photos ourselves to give you a real and un-edited view of the trips. See our 31 pictures of Eden Nairobi to get the candid view.
View galleryEden Nairobi: Our full report
Eden Nairobi is a small boutique hotel in the Karen-Langata suburb of Nairobi, very close to Giraffe Manor ...
... and the AFEW Giraffe Centre.
Eden Nairobi is a lovely modern boutique guest house situated in lush green lawned gardens in a peaceful part of Nairobi. The Main House is a large dark wood-clad double-storey building with a tastefully furnished open-plan living room with dark wooden floors and cream coloured sofas around a huge open fireplace. Large pieces of artwork, by the former owner, dominate the walls, and a bar, offering a large selection of drinks, is tucked away under the wooden stairs. To one side is a large chunky wooden dining table flanked by matching wooden benches and two upholstered chairs. Three sets of French doors open onto a large covered veranda with more comfortable cream sofas and a dining table for al fresco meals. During our stay in 2018 we enjoyed our breakfast out here with views through the trees onto the lush gardens where there's a "woman-made" lake and outdoor lounge area.
Upstairs are three spacious en-suite bedrooms. The master bedroom has a large double bed, separate walk-in wardrobe, electronic safe and minibar with a selection of drinks (price list provided). French doors lead out onto a private covered veranda with a comfortable sofa. The bathroom has dark wood paneled walls and fun glass detail around the large mirror above the double basin. There is a separate shower cubicle and bath, and toiletries are provided. The other two bedrooms are slightly smaller but with similar décor and can be converted into either twin or double beds. The one en-suite bathroom has a large rain shower and the other has a shower over the bath.
Outside in the gardens of Eden Nairobi is a large modern building which was the former owners art studio. This houses three apartments and two studios, with one section of the building remaining a workshop for the current owner’s interior design company. It is possible for guests to visit the workshop and also make purchases from her collection. The three duplex apartments are light and airy with large windows; the living room and bathroom are downstairs (one of the sofas converts into a sofa bed for children) and upstairs is a large double bed.
At the far end of the former studio is a large open plan living and dining room, with fully stocked bar. Guests staying in the studios and apartments can relax and have their meals here or at the main house. Chunky wooden stairs lead from the lounge to the two studios upstairs. These are large spacious rooms also with large windows making them bright and airy. Each room has a large bathroom with separate shower and bath.
The staff at Eden Nairobi are used to guests arriving late (flights such as British Airways, KLM and Turkish Airlines land late meaning guests can arrive any time from midnight to 2am) and a complimentary light meal is provided.
The location of Eden Nairobi makes it ideal for visiting the Giraffe Centre (a 10 minute walk away) and the Elephant Orphanage. Further afield is the Karen Blixen Museum and Nairobi National Park.
Geographics
- Location
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Ideal length of stay
- A stay of two nights will allow you to visit the nearby Giraffe Sanctuary and Elephant Orphanage
- Directions
- Eden Nairobi is about 30 minutes from Nairobi International Airport and about 20 minutes from Wilson Airport – depending on traffic
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Bed & Breakfast
- Food quality
- When we last stayed at Eden Nairobi we arrived really late (around midnight) and were still offered a light snack.
The following morning, we had breakfast outside on the veranda and were offered a choice of cereals, fresh fruit and yoghurt. A hot breakfast is also made to order.
Although we did not stay long enough to have any other meals, we believe a three course lunch and dinner are also available on request.
Dinner could be as follows – starter of carrot soup, pad thai salad or chicken liver pate with prices ranging from U$6.50 to U$7.50. This is followed by a choice of main – rib eye steak served with a red wine sauce, seasonal vegetables and garden salad (U$22), pan fried red snapper with pea mash and vegetables (U$18) or mushroom risotto (U$16.50). Your meal can then be finished off with either chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream (U$6.50), coconut pannacota (U$6.50) or chocolate tart with whipped cream (U$7.50) - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Drinks are not included, and range from U$2 – 3 for soft drinks and beer to U$35 – U$45 for a bottle of wine.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- The lodge doesn't accept under-12s.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Minimum age is 12.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There's a backup generator.
- Communications
- There is WiFi in the rooms and good cellphone reception.
- TV & radio
- The rooms all have TV with a good range of channels.
- Water supply
- Mains
- Water supply notes
- Water comes from the mains supply, plus the property's own borehole.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There are doctors and hospitals nearby
- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- There are manned security gates at the entrance of the property and security guards patrol at night.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers around the lodge.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Elephant encounter
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is available at an additional cost
- Money
- There are safes in the rooms.
The lodge does not offer currency exchange but there are banks and ATMs nearby - Accepted payment on location
- Most forms of cash and credit cards (MasterCard, Amex, Visa) are accepted.
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Eden Nairobi's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Eden Nairobi.
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Eka Hotel
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Ole-Sereni
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Macushla House
Macushla House is a very pleasant, small, owner-managed bed and breakfast hotel in a leafy part of southwest Nairobi, very convenient for visiting the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage.

Giraffe Manor
Giraffe Manor is a unique, perennially popular lodge on the outskirts of Nairobi, offering up-close-and-personal encounters with the rare Rothschild giraffes that roam its extensive grounds.

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The Norfolk Hotel
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Nairobi Tented Camp
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Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and Cottages
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The Stanley
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Acacia Camp
Acacia Camp is a rustic and affordable safari camp in a wildlife sanctuary a 30-minute drive towards Mombasa from Nairobi’s international airport.
When to go to Nairobi
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Eden Nairobi in Nairobi
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Kenya in January
Clear, hot days and warm nights make this high season a popular time for safaris and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling as water clarity is excellent and gets better as the dry season progresses. Most lodges and tented camps treat January after the New Year week is over, as mid-season, making it a good compromise in terms of value for money with reasonably reliable, dry weather and some greenery left in the landscape.
Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in January, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.
- On average, January is the second driest month of the year
- Elephants dig waterholes in the dry riverbed in the Samburu reserve.
- Wildebeest and many antelope have their calving season, to February.
- Migrant birds are seen in huge numbers, especially in the Rift Valley.
- Sea water clarity around the coral reefs generally good.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in January
Kenya in February
With the short dry season well established, the grass grazed down and wildlife gathering close to water points, this is still a good time for a safari. Good water clarity in the Indian Ocean's coastal waters makes for excellent diving and snorkelling conditions.
Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in February, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.
- On average, February is the driest month of the year.
- It’s sometimes possible to swim with whale sharks at Diani Beach.
- Migrant birds are still seen everywhere, especially near water.
- This is usually peak calving season for wildebeest and many antelopes.
- This month is often the hottest of the year, especially on the coast.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in February
Kenya in March
Hot, increasingly humid weather – with good diving and snorkelling conditions at the start of the month – gives way to rains and lower accommodation costs. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in March, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and predicting the seasons since the beginning of this century has been difficult.
March is the month when – traditionally – intensely hot conditions build up until a cloudburst finally happens at the end of the month or in early April, to relieve the humidity. As ever, regional variations across the country can greatly impact on visitors' experiences.
- Sea-water clarity is best for diving before the long rains start.
- Visitor numbers are low, though the Easter holidays can be busier.
- Night skies can be scintillatingly clear in early March.
- Cropped down savannah grasses can make it easier to see the wildlife.
- Temperartures climb high, especially at lower elevations.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in March
Kenya in April
April sees the full onset of the southeast monsoon wind or kusi, which heralds the long rains. Temperatures drop soon after the rains are established and you’ll often have facilities largely to yourself in this more affordable low season, sometimes known as the "green season". The bush quickly springs to life, with greenery sprouting almost before your eyes. While you're likely to get a fair number of heavy showers, the breaks in the rain can yield sparklingly clear conditions.
With the dust settled and bright sun piercing the clouds, conditions can be sublime for photography, especially first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon with another storm brewing. You may be lucky, or you may find conditions very wet and muddy.
- A wet month, the coast often gets more than 300mm (12in) of rain.
- Sunny spells can provide great light for photography.
- Buffalo and zebra calving season often happens in this month.
- Baby crocodiles hatch, for example on Central Island in Lake Turkana.
- Palearctic migrant birds gather to fly north to breeding grounds.
Our view
A time to avoid if possible
Weather in April
Kenya in May
While game viewing can be trickier as vegetation runs riot, between the cloudbursts the colours and light are great for photography at this time of year. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in May, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and while it's reasonable to expect heavy rains in many parts during this month, especially on the coast, the rains don't always come evenly or in some areas come at all.
In an El Niño year, the so-called long rains that normally are established across much of the country by May can be meagre, to the despair of farmers. On the other hand in a La Niña year, the long rains can bring floods. On the coast, the monsoon winds make the climate much more predictable, with heavy rains common throughout this month.
- Frogs breed in the ponds in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest near Watamu.
- Wildebeest, impala and other grazers are in rut (the breeding season).
- Kilimanjaro looks its best as heavy rain falls as snow on the summit.
- There's a sharp peek of rainfall on the coast with many rainy days.
- Accommodation prices are uniformly low, while some camps close.
Our view
A time to avoid if possible
Weather in May
Kenya in June
The rains give way to cloudy, cooler weather, often making for comfortable conditions by the end of the month, especially in the highlands. Starting from mid-June or the beginning of July and running until the end of October, this is the high season, and accordingly has higher accommodation rates and – at least until early September – higher numbers of visitors.
While the early part of June can often be rainy on the coast, it can be a great time to go on safari, with fresh greenery, many young animals and good photographic conditions with clear air.
- The Taru Desert, inland from the coast, is carpeted with flowers.
- The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival is held in Loiyangalani.
- Madaraka Day (commemorating self rule) is 1 June.
- The annual Lewa marathon runs a course through the wildlife.
- The Diani Rules "sports" event rips up the rulebook at Diani Beach.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in June
Kenya in July
Kenya’s “winter" season sets in (winter is a misnomer but locals feel the change), and the highlands can be rather grey. Skies are often cloudy and the days can be surprisingly cool, with an average daytime high in many highland safari areas of 15-20°C and night-time temperatures dropping below 10°C in Nairobi and the highlands. Lower parts of the country and the coast are usually warm and dry, typically reaching highs of around 25°C with lows in the high teens.
As this is the start of the high season, coinciding with the usual arrival of the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, July is a busy month. Ask your Expert Africa specialist to advise on how to avoid the crowds, which is not that difficult to do.
- The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara in July.
- Simbi Lake (Kisumu) and Crater Lake (Naivasha) can attract flamingoes.
- Watersports start to pick up and some surfing is possible at Malindi.
- Afternoon thunderstorms are a common feature in the Maasai Mara.
- The sea can be choppy along the coast, making diving difficult.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in July
Kenya in August
The Great Migration fills the plains of the Maasai Mara, and school’s out, so the park roads are full of tourists – ask your Expert Africa specialist for advice on crowd avoidance tactics. Choose a private conservancy rather than a public national park or national reserve for quieter conditions.
Like July, August is generally mild and relatively dry in the safari areas, but it can be very chilly in the highlands, even in the middle of the day, and hail occasionally falls above altitudes of around 2,400m (8,000ft). Nairobi can be disappointingly overcast, with low cloud.
- Apart from Christmas holidays, this is the busiest month of the year.
- Late August sees peak wildebeest drama at the Mara River crossings.
- Coastal winds are good for kite- and wind-surfing.
- Few mosquitoes are around at this generally dry time of year.
- The annual Camel Derby takes place in the Samburu capital, Maralal.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in August
Kenya in September
The skies clearing of cloud signals the start of hot, dry weather with little chance of rain – and, after the first few days of the month, far fewer visitors – making the latter part of September a good time for a quieter safari. While early September is often good for dramatic migration crossings along the Mara River, you might consider deliberately postponing your trip until later in the month, when the migration can still be very impressive and visitor numbers fewer.
If tourist surges are somewhat predictable, however, the patterns of the wildebeest migration are more volatile, and like all of Expert Africa's climate and weather assessments, they are based on accumulated years of experience rather than guaranteed certainty.
- This is still high season, with prices to match.
- Many river crossings take place on the Mara river in both directions.
- Natural bush fires flush out insects and small animals for predators.
- The Rift Valley Music Festival takes place by Lake Naivasha.
- With school holidays over by early September, late-month is quieter.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in September
Kenya in October
Still hot, mostly dry and not too busy, this is many people’s preferred month for a safari, and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling. The wildebeest and zebra herds of the great migration are often still to be seen, though in dwindling numbers. The swamps of Amboseli attract thirsty wildlife including large herds of elephants.
While we wouldn't expect much rain across most of the country this month, the climate has become so unpredictable that you can never say never, and the possibiity of the short rains – usually associated with November to mid-December, starting early, can't be discounted.
- This month sees the tail end of the great migration in the Mara.
- Palearctic migrant birds start to arrive, staying until March.
- Turtle nests hatch at Watamu, until November.
- Amboseli elephants focus on the swamps for their daily water.
- The Indian Ocean monsoon winds turn from southeast to northeast.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
Kenya in November
The northeast monsoon wind or kaskazi heralds the start of the “short rains", usually some time in the second half of the month. From November to mid-December, this is the low season, and accordingly has lower accommodation rates and lower visitor numbers. Across most of the country you can expect warm, somewhat cloudy weather, with occasional heavy showers and localised flooding.
Expert Africa bases its description of the climate in November, like the other months of the year, on the records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable: some years the short rains don't come at all, or don't reach every part of the country. In an El Niño year, the November short rains can be very heavy, but in a La Niña year, they can fail completely.
- Swimming with dolphins in Lamu can be done from now until April.
- Birders gather at Ngulia in Tsavo West to ring Palearctic migrants.
- The Lamu Cultural Festival takes over the town and Lamu Creek.
- Agricultural shows often take place regional market towns.
- This is low season, so camps can be great value, with special offers.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Kenya in December
In a typical December, the rains usually finish by middle of the month, leaving the landscape looking its best, under clear blue skies, and heralding the start of the second peak tourist season from around 20 December to the first week of January. Our assessment of the likely weather in December, like the other months of the year, is based on climate records, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.
Christmas can sometimes be wet, but most years the rains have finished a week or two earlier, with the festive season ushering in the perfect combination of clear skies and sunshine by day and starry nights.
- Christmas and New Year are busy, with the lodges and camps full.
- Rates are highest after 24 Dec, with supplements on public holidays.
- Republic Day and Independence day are celebrated on 12 December.
- Good kite- and wind-surfing restarts, with strong northeasterly winds.
- Mango season begins, providing excitement for primates and elephants.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in December

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