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Private villas & houses in Kenya
Private villas & houses in Kenya
Private villas & houses in Kenya
Private villas & houses in Kenya
Private villas & houses in Kenya

Private Galdessa is a great place for a family or group of friends.

Kenya private villas & houses

Best private villas & houses in Kenya

Eating privately as a family or group of travellers in your own house can give your Kenya holiday a much more exclusive feel. There currently isn’t a big choice of villas or private houses in Kenya’s safari regions, but we have chosen one or two of the best options here.

The Kenya coast has quite a lot of villas in the more developed areas, like Diani Beach and the coast north of Mombasa. Again, we have chosen one or two more individualistic private houses that we particularly like.

Eating private together as a family or group of travellers in your own house can give your Kenya holiday a much more exclusive feel. Talk to us if you'd like more ideas and info on the various private villas and houses available in Kenya.

Elsa's Kopje

Elsa’s Kopje has a two-bedroom private house with a large master bedroom and a slightly smaller twin room, both of which are en-suite. The rooms share an open-fronted lounge and dining area and the house has a private infinity pool.

Tortilis Camp

With some of the best views available of Kilimanjaro Tortilis private house consists of two bedrooms, a lounge area and a private pool shared with the camp's family tent. One of the bedrooms can be made into a twin or triple, making this suitable for larger families or groups.


Elsa's Kopje

Elsa’s Kopje has a two-bedroom private house with a large master bedroom and a slightly smaller twin room, both of which are en-suite. The rooms share an open-fronted lounge and dining area and the house has a private infinity pool.


Sirikoi

Sirikoi has a 2-bedroom cottage and 3-bedroom house, each booked exclusively. Each base has a private vehicle and dedicated staff. They are perfect for families or small groups wanting a high-end, exclusive safari with excellent wildlife-viewing.


Sarara

Sarara’s Loimugi House has two bedrooms, a private dining area, a lounge and a pool. Set near Sarara’s main communal area, you can enjoy the camp’s wonderful atmosphere and location while being able to retire to your private house whenever you like.

Best camps & lodges for Private villas & houses in Kenya


Tortilis Camp

Tortilis Camp

With some of the best views available of Kilimanjaro Tortilis private house consists of two bedrooms, a lounge area and a private pool shared with the camp's family tent. One of the bedrooms can be made into a twin or triple, making this suitable for larger families or groups.


95% (31 reviews)
Galdessa

Galdessa

Downstream from the main Galdessa Lodge, Private Galdessa consists of three exclusive bandas with a private dining area. Together these can accommodate a group of up to six people – who can share a real degree of privacy in this idyllic riverbank location.


No reviews yet
Sarara

Sarara

Sarara’s Loimugi House has two bedrooms, a private dining area, a lounge and a pool. Set near Sarara’s main communal area, you can enjoy the camp’s wonderful atmosphere and location while being able to retire to your private house whenever you like.


98% (24 reviews)
Sirikoi

Sirikoi

Sirikoi has a 2-bedroom cottage and 3-bedroom house, each booked exclusively. Each base has a private vehicle and dedicated staff. They are perfect for families or small groups wanting a high-end, exclusive safari with excellent wildlife-viewing.


100% (6 reviews)
Cottars Private House

Cottars Private House

There are relatively few private accommodation options in the Maasai Mara and if you're looking for an exclusive and modern, fully staffed house, providing very spacious and comfortable accommodation, you could not do better than this.


No reviews yet
Elsa's Kopje

Elsa's Kopje

Elsa’s Kopje has a two-bedroom private house with a large master bedroom and a slightly smaller twin room, both of which are en-suite. The rooms share an open-fronted lounge and dining area and the house has a private infinity pool.


97% (22 reviews)

Best camps & lodges for Private villas & houses in Africa

Private villas & houses elsewhere in Africa

Our top ideas and inspiration for Private villas & houses in other countries.


Private villas & houses in Botswana

Botswana

While private villas and houses are not the norm in Botswana there are a number of tented camps ...

Private villas & houses in Malawi

Malawi

There's currently really only one private villa in Malawi - and this offers you the possibility ...

Private villas & houses in Mozambique

Mozambique

Mozambique is well-known for its stunning beaches and wide range of land- and water-based activities...

Private villas & houses in Namibia

Namibia

There are a handful of great private villas and houses in Namibia as well as a private camp, and ...

Private villas & houses in Seychelles

Seychelles

The Seychelles isn't short of luxurious beach retreats or five-star resorts scattered around its ...

Private villas & houses in South Africa

South Africa

South Africa's Cape lends itself well to family and relaxed group trips. There are several lovely ...

Private villas & houses in Tanzania

Tanzania

There are a couple of great private villas and safari houses in Tanzania, and also some excellent ...

Private villas & houses in Zambia

Zambia

Located in several of the country's most amazing safari reserves, Zambia has a handful of very ...

Private villas & houses in Zanzibar

Zanzibar

Enjoy the powder-white beaches, coconut palms and turquoise water of Zanzibar from your own private ...

Private villas & houses in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

For a group or a family, private travel using villas or safari houses is the ultimate in exclusivity...

Where to see wildlife species in Kenya

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite 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.

81% SUCCESS

3,425 sightings from 4,234 observations

Where to see lion in Kenya

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

2,208 sightings from 4,705 observations

Where to see leopard in Kenya

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

1,167 sightings from 3,566 observations

Where to see cheetah in Kenya

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

2,896 sightings from 3,483 observations

Where to see buffalo in Kenya

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.

32% SUCCESS

992 sightings from 3,103 observations

Where to see wild dog in Kenya

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

2,443 sightings from 4,480 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Kenya

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

135 sightings from 990 observations

Where to see striped hyena in Kenya

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

4,138 sightings from 4,548 observations

Where to see elephant in Kenya

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.

30% SUCCESS

701 sightings from 2,306 observations

Where to see black rhino in Kenya

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.

43% SUCCESS

563 sightings from 1,304 observations

Where to see white rhino in Kenya

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

1,642 sightings from 3,351 observations

Where to see eland in Kenya

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.

76% SUCCESS

102 sightings from 134 observations

Where to see gerenuk in Kenya

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

3,984 sightings from 4,642 observations

Where to see giraffe in Kenya

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

1,523 sightings from 2,183 observations

Where to see oryx in Kenya

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

3,017 sightings from 3,371 observations

Where to see hippo in Kenya

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.

23% SUCCESS

541 sightings from 2,329 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Kenya

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.

67% SUCCESS

2,787 sightings from 4,155 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Kenya

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

4,352 sightings from 5,173 observations

Where to see zebra in Kenya

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

80 sightings from 3,729 observations

Where to see aardvark in Kenya

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

63 sightings from 3,767 observations

Where to see pangolin in Kenya

Inspire me

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Inspire me

Other styles of holiday in Kenya

Discover all that Kenya has to offer


Beach holidays

Beach holidays

Discover Africa's coast and tropical islands.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Diverse habitats, discreet hides and superb guiding.

Cultural experiences

Cultural experiences

Get an insight into Africa's cultures and history.

Family holidays

Family holidays

Hand-picked camps for an incredible family safari.

Honeymoons

Honeymoons

Romantic safaris and castaway island retreats.

Luxury

Luxury

First-class service, scenic vistas and unparalleled comfort await you during these carefully selected luxury holidays. 

Photography holidays

Photography holidays

Great holidays to suit the keen photographer.

Private villas & houses

Private villas & houses

Enjoy Africa with just your friends & family

Riding holidays

Riding holidays

Explore Africa's wilderness on horseback.

Solo Travel

Solo Travel

Trip ideas ideally suited for a solo traveller.

Walking

Walking

Explore Africa's most scenic trails on foot.

Walking safaris

Walking safaris

Explore Africa's untouched wildernesses on foot.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing

Wellness escapes in stunning locations

Wildlife safaris

Wildlife safaris

These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.

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