Reviews of The Emakoko
Wildlife sightings and reviews
84 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited The Emakoko and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
88% success
5% success
9% success
10% success
100% success
93% success
93% success
84% success
77% success
72% success
61% success
55% success
5% success
5% success
0% success
"It's good to be back!"
Minutes after the usual chaotic immigration at JKIA, we were installed in a Land Cruiser with a cool box of welcome Kenyan beers, and twenty minutes of Nairobi traffic later we were entering the National Park in pitch darkness, and laying bets with our guide as to which would be our first wildlife spot (he won - bat - but my nightjar was a close second).
The lodge's location is as extraordinary as ever - an oasis of bush experience within touching distance of the big city. Waking up the next morning to a game drive, we knew we were back in Africa! We were pleased also to say hello to some of the staff we remembered from our last visit.
Of course it's not the same as being out in the more remote parks & reserves, but it does a very good impression of it. It's the perfect place to decompress and recharge your energy after the flight, before moving onto somewhere more adventurous. The Emakoko has very much a safari lodge ethos, with beautifully designed rooms overlooking a wooded valley - although I doubt you would find the quite remarkable outdoor funicular lift in any other safari lodge." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Eland
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"The Emakoko "
The staff are well trained and eager to please and the surroundings are lovely. Some reviewers have mentioned the road. The Emakoko is built on the side of a ravine, so yes, the road is steep and bumpy but their drivers and their 4WDs are more than capable of getting you there and back in safety. Just enjoy.
I saw fantastic wildlife in the short time (two nights) I was there. Two lion brothers staking out the plain at dawn, another male lion with two females, adolescent cheetah triplets, a male black rhino, mother and calf, all together in one group; several white rhino including calves; also bushbuck, giraffe, zebra, hippo, black backed jackal and several species of antelope.
The restaurant and bar are run by charming Linus. I didn't have cocktails but the wines were good. The food seemed sometimes to be too ambitious. I had a steak which looked delicious but turned out to be chewy. On the other hand, the snapper with "custard" was so good I thanked the chef. Be prepared for company during dinner. The rooms are open to the surrounding woodland so you may be visited by the resident genets and a bushbaby (who loves to be fed with sliced banana). There are often hyrax on the bridge across the river.
The public rooms are very comfortable and stylish with big sofas and tables with piles of animal reference books. The bedrooms are well equipped and welcoming. Mine had a jug of roses on the table and petals on the bed and bath. Small touches which I really appreciated. Having a hot bubble bath both nights was a joy! Again, some reviewers have criticised the rooms, saying they look 'tired'. I'd agree to a point, but it's not as though you'd open he door and go, 'Oh my God, this is tired, get me out of here.' It's minor, certainly not enough to put anyone off or marr your stay. I just assumed that a very tough two years had tightened the refurb budget. I've since heard that an upgrade is on its way." See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya; 2n in Zanzibar
"East Africa Manager"
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Buffalo
3 sightings
Cheetah
2 sightings
Eland
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
White Rhino
6 sightings
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"The Emakoko review"
Our flight back to the UK was late at night so we stayed for our last night and booked the room for the day of departure as well, meaning we could stay until it was time to go to the airport for our bag-drop. It is a very comfortable camp and the food is excellent.
Nairobi National Park is great for seeing rhino. We saw several white and black rhino and and had a particularly close view of a white rhino which was right next to us on the road. The best encounter with a rhino that we have ever had!" See all these reviews: 15n in Kenya
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Buffalo
5 sightings
Eland
4 sightings
Giraffe
4 sightings
Lion
1 sighting
White Rhino
5 sightings
Wildebeest
4 sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
"The Emakoko review"
We appreciated their flexibility; we are able to invite a friend staying elsewhere in Nairobi to lunch and we had no need vacate our room prematurely (as does happen with some day room stays) even when our departing flight was delayed." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Eland
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"The Emakoko review"
This is a very well-appointed lodge in a picturesque location in Nairobi National Park, with good guiding and excellent food, and we have found that it provides the perfect balance of getting into our safari groove while still shaking off the inevitable jet lag from our travel.
We were very thankful to have a late-morning transfer from our Nairobi hotel to The Emakoko, as opposed to an early morning flight from Wilson, to start things off. We find this plan also helps alleviate any logistical concerns that might arise from a delayed or cancelled international flight into Kenya." See all these reviews: 17n in Kenya
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Giraffe
1 sighting
Lion
1 sighting
White Rhino
1 sighting
Zebra
1 sighting
"The Emakoko review"
Our flight to Nairobi was delayed but the staff had stayed up and offered us a meal, despite it being 3am by the time we arrived! We declined the offer and that of an early morning game drive, opting instead for a leisurely morning and an afternoon drive.
There is no shortage of game in Nairobi National Park and it is interesting to see it with the backdrop of the city skyline and the railway line, which was not built the last time we were here.
The following day we had a post breakfast game drive to Wilson to get our flight to Loisaba." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Eland
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"The Emakoko review"
The rooms are very impressive with a nice decking area, a large bathroom and seating area with fireplace. Although the rooms are of very high standard they are a little tired in some areas and could do with some upgrading ie there was a massive hole in the mosquito net over our bed.
The communal areas are very comfortable and an enjoyable place to relax.
The food was okay. It sometimes felt like it was trying too hard to be fine dining and a lot of it was not to our taste. Personally we would have preferred if they did something more simple but to an excellent standard. The pizza they cooked in the oven around the pool was fantastic. Weirdly they don't do any diet drinks.
The massage we had was very good and the therapist was a very kind, chatty person." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Black Rhino
3 sightings
Buffalo
3 sightings
Eland
1 sighting
Giraffe
2 sightings
Lion
1 sighting
White Rhino
1 sighting
Zebra
1 sighting
"The Emakoko review"
The children loved the remote controlled funicular to go up and down the hill to the house, and the pool was a big success despite being on the refreshing side. Food and drinks were absolutely excellent, we particularly liked the house special "Dawa" cocktail. The occasional monkey stealing bread off the breakfast table provided much amusement, as did the snake that Anton had captured and kept to show the children.
Our guide Peter was knowledgeable and the game drives in the National Park provided a perfect introduction to safari. We saw lionesses, rhino, giraffe, ostriches, a leopard tortoise, monkeys, mating hippos - and that was just on the drive to get to the lodge!
Highly recommend, a great first stop." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
"The Emakoko review"
Nairobi Park was having the roadways resurfaced so was full of large lorries being driven at speed and carelessly." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Wonderfull location, very professional staff!"
It was really amazing to see so many animals and to learn about them! I will be back!" See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Buffalo
10 sightings
Cheetah
3 sightings
Eland
4 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Leopard
Multiple sightings
Lion
6 sightings
Pangolin
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
Striped Hyena
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
10 sightings
Wild dog
5 sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
Holiday styles & special interests in Kenya
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Kenya.
Other lodges in Nairobi
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Eka Hotel
The Eka is an affordably priced business-class hotel in a relatively convenient location between Nairobi International Airport and Wilson Airport.
Ole-Sereni
The Ole-Sereni is a modern, stylish hotel neighbouring Nairobi National Park and located 6km from Wilson domestic airport.
Four Points Nairobi Apt
The Four Points by Sheraton (part of the Marriot group) is one of the newest additions to the hotels within Kenya International Airport’s security perimeter.
Crowne Plaza Nbi Apt
The Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport (formerly known as the Lazizi Premiere and now part of the InterContinental Hotels Group) is the oldest hotel at Nairobi International Airport.
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.
Aero Club of East Africa
The Aero Club of East Africa is a private members' club in the grounds of Wilson Airport, Nairobi, offering offering comfortable rooms and a good restaurant, bar and swimming pool to non-members.
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.
Nairobi Tented Camp
Nairobi Tented Camp is the only tented camp located inside Nairobi National Park, making it a great option for a true safari stay close to the city and airports.
Hemingways Nairobi
Hemingways Nairobi is a luxury country-house style hotel, with a spa and gym, in the wealthy suburb of Karen.
The Norfolk Hotel
The Norfolk Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in Nairobi and has a reputation for its colourful history dating back to 1904.
Hogmead
Hogmead is a stylish, luxury boutique hotel/homestay in a secluded part of Langata in south-west Nairobi, very close to Nairobi National Park and the elephant orphanage.
Sankara
Sankara is a strikingly built hotel in the bustling central Nairobi suburb of Westlands, primarily used as a business stay, with very good dining and leisure facilities.
Eden Nairobi
One Forty Eight is a very stylish boutique hotel in one of the leafiest corners of the southwest Nairobi suburb of Karen-Langata. The Giraffe Centre at Giraffe Manor is just a 10-minute walk away.
The Stanley
The Stanley is a large, traditional hotel – the oldest in Nairobi – offering a range of facilities.
Tribe
Design-led, contemporary hotel in the Village Market area of Gigiri, a largely diplomatic and luxury residential suburb 10km north of Nairobi’s central business district.
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.
