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Luxury in Kenya
Luxury in Kenya
Luxury in Kenya
Luxury in Kenya
Luxury in Kenya
Luxury in Kenya
Luxury in Kenya
Luxury in Kenya

Luxury safaris in Kenya

Best lodges & camps for luxury in Kenya

Kenya is distinguished by the diversity of its landscapes, wildlife and culture – but there’s an equally wide range of accommodation, from the simple and modest to some absolutely top-notch luxury safari camps, private ranches and beach hideaways. If you’re looking for indulgence and comfort, you will find first-class places in many areas of Kenya.

The cuisine at many of Kenya’s high-end camps and lodges is often outstanding. Highly skilled chefs with international experience ensure a steady stream of excellent and creative dishes, using locally sourced, often organic, ingredients. Kenya’s hospitality industry is one of the most developed in sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in attentive, highly proficient staff and excellent standards of service.

Well furnished rooms, stylish bathrooms and welcome add-ons such as private plunge pools and even private butlers, add to the pampering you can expect to receive.

Lewa Wilderness

Staying at Lewa Wilderness is a delightful way to spend a few nights of a luxury safari. The cottages are huge and the polished stone floors, stone walls and handmade furniture combine to give them a rustic, super-comfortable feel. A private fireplace and veranda are fine places to relax.

Naboisho Camp

The main areas feel like a country house, with wooden pillars, a stone fireplace and swimming pool. Attentive service adds further to the feel of comfort, while top-quality guiding, numerous dining spots and excellent food add the finishing touches.


Kinondo Kwetu

Kinondo Kwetu is ideal for a luxurious and relaxing beach break on the Kenyan coast. Food and service are outstanding and there’s a remarkable attention to detail. Spoil yourself in the spa or relax in any of the lovely areas decorated with art from all over Africa.


Sirikoi

With its manicured lawns, 70-strong staff and extras that include helicopter flights, horse riding and massages, this intimate camp offers an unparalleled level of care. Situated on a private conservancy, even the game-viewing feels exclusive.

Mara Plains Camp

With some of the best guiding and an unrivalled location, Mara Plains gets our vote as probably the Mara’s top safari camp. The décor and furnishings are carefully chosen: antique trunks, brass fittings and decks made of old railway sleepers combine opulent chic with sleek practicality.


Borana

Stone-walled cottages featuring rustic, locally made furniture reinforce Borana’s understated luxury. Each has a fireplace, where a log fire will be lit for you on request. A large infinity pool overlooks the lodge’s waterhole and has magnificent views across the Borana Conservancy.


Giraffe Manor

From its grand hallway to the designer toiletries, everything about this lodge makes a statement of luxury. While every room is exceptionally comfortable, it is the unique attraction of the giraffes that makes this Nairobi’s most popular luxury base.

Solio Lodge

With its modern design and individually themed cottages, Solio Lodge was purpose-built for luxury. Panoramic windows and open fireplaces add wow-factor, while exploring the private conservancy makes for an exclusive experience.


Elsa's Kopje

Elsa’s is one of northern Kenya’s best-loved luxury retreats, offering an all-round combination of stunning landscapes, wildlife and total comfort. A marvellous infinity pool carved from the rocky hilltop, excellent food, attentive service and top-rank wildlife guides are all on the menu.


Elsa's Kopje

Elsa’s is one of northern Kenya’s best-loved luxury retreats, offering an all-round combination of stunning landscapes, wildlife and total comfort. A marvellous infinity pool carved from the rocky hilltop, excellent food, attentive service and top-rank wildlife guides are all on the menu.


Olakira Camp

Olakira has undergone a recent refurbishment, and the tents now have a luxurious star gazing deck, allowing guests to wheel the bed out to the front of the tent and sleep out under the stars. Quite a special experience!

Namiri Plains Camp

Namiri has recently undergone a full refurbishment and reopened as a contemporary, luxury safari camp – worlds away from its traditional tented beginnings. The camp is now made up of a series of futuristic tented structures.


Mount Nelson Hotel

Timelessly elegant with English colonial décor, Mount Nelson Hotel is perhaps South Africa’s top hotel and offer classic luxury in a tranquil setting. The hotel’s soft pink exterior, heated swimming pools and indulgent afternoon teas highlight the hotel’s attention to detail.

Victoria Falls Hotel

The furnishings and décor of the Victoria Falls Hotel evoke an era of Edwardian gentility, whilst functioning well with efficient modern amenities. For true indulgence, stay under the high ceilings of The Stable Wing, or in one of the hotel’s large and luxurious suites.

Luxury elsewhere in Africa

Our top ideas and inspiration for Luxury in other countries.


Luxury in Botswana

Botswana

Botswana’s tourism policy aims for high value, low impact tourism. This results in high prices, ...

Luxury in Malawi

Malawi

There are only a small number of high-end lodges in Malawi, but these are small, intimate and very ...

Luxury in Mozambique

Mozambique

Mozambique is off the beaten track. The tourism industry is currently still developing and many ...

Luxury in Namibia

Namibia

Wide-open spaces, seemingly endless wilderness and a sense of solitude almost guaranteed: Namibia ...

Luxury in Rwanda

Rwanda

Rwanda offers striking scenery, diverse wildlife and great cultural experiences – but until recently, ...

Luxury in Seychelles

Seychelles

With the sun reflecting on the deep blue Indian Ocean, palm-fringed beaches and lush forests, the ...

Luxury in South Africa

South Africa

South Africa is an amazing place to experience a luxury holiday. Here you can relax on incredible ...

Luxury in Tanzania

Tanzania

When it comes to luxurious accommodation, Tanzania isn’t short of beautiful camps and lodges offering ...

Luxury in Zambia

Zambia

Zambia has plentiful wildlife across huge areas and many very experienced guides. Although as its ...

Luxury in Zanzibar

Zanzibar

With endless palm-fringed beaches, turquoise waters and accommodation built with world-class comfort ...

Luxury in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

With great game viewing, vast national parks and some stunning scenery, Zimbabwe is fantastic to ...

Where to see wildlife species in Africa

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.


Lion

Lion

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

82% SUCCESS

2,934 sightings from 3,600 observations

Where to see lion in Africa

Leopard

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

47% SUCCESS

1,875 sightings from 3,986 observations

Where to see leopard in Africa

Cheetah

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.

33% SUCCESS

1,008 sightings from 3,047 observations

Where to see cheetah in Africa

Buffalo

Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,472 sightings from 2,982 observations

Where to see buffalo in Africa

Wild dog

Wild dog

Lycaon pictus

African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.

31% SUCCESS

840 sightings from 2,672 observations

Where to see wild dog in Africa

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

55% SUCCESS

2,098 sightings from 3,799 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Africa

Striped Hyena

Striped Hyena

Hyaena hyaena

The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.

14% SUCCESS

121 sightings from 868 observations

Where to see striped hyena in Africa

Elephant

Elephant

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

3,504 sightings from 3,850 observations

Where to see elephant in Africa

Black Rhino

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

31% SUCCESS

607 sightings from 1,963 observations

Where to see black rhino in Africa

White Rhino

White Rhino

Ceratotherium simum

The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.

44% SUCCESS

476 sightings from 1,083 observations

Where to see white rhino in Africa

Eland

Eland

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

49% SUCCESS

1,405 sightings from 2,877 observations

Where to see eland in Africa

Gerenuk

Gerenuk

Litocranius walleri

With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.

79% SUCCESS

88 sightings from 112 observations

Where to see gerenuk in Africa

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

3,374 sightings from 3,911 observations

Where to see giraffe in Africa

Oryx

Oryx

Oryx sp.

Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.

70% SUCCESS

1,272 sightings from 1,823 observations

Where to see oryx in Africa

Hippo

Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

89% SUCCESS

2,562 sightings from 2,875 observations

Where to see hippo in Africa

Sable antelope

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

22% SUCCESS

436 sightings from 1,952 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Africa

Wildebeest

Wildebeest

Connochaetes sp.

Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.

68% SUCCESS

2,383 sightings from 3,524 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Africa

Zebra

Zebra

Equus sp.

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

3,684 sightings from 4,366 observations

Where to see zebra in Africa

Aardvark

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

2% SUCCESS

67 sightings from 3,205 observations

Where to see aardvark in Africa

Pangolin

Pangolin

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

2% SUCCESS

52 sightings from 3,201 observations

Where to see pangolin in Africa

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