An icon if we ever saw one, a trip to Kenya is packed full of memory-making moments, whether you’re seeking out the wildlife of the Masai Mara, the beaches of Lamu – or the many destinations in between. So, what could possibly make a trip like this even more worthy of your bucket list? How about a selection of top-tier, all-singing all-dancing lodges to stay in? If that sounds like your cup of tea, we’ve rounded up our favourite boutique hotels in Kenya from luxe safari camps to barefoot beach villas. Enjoy!
Angama Mara Camp
This chic hillside camp is the last word in safari luxury. Designed and built by some of the best in the business, it’s architecturally stunning; but it may just be the endless, sweeping views that make you really fall in love with Angama Mara. In fact, this is the exact setting where the safari epic, Out of Africa, was filmed and you can even enjoy a champagne picnic in the very same spot as Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. When you’re not reliving movie moments, Angama Mara manages to merge classic safari charm with well-placed luxury touches, and you can be sure those vistas are visible from every corner. The precipitous infinity pool is a firm favourite! After a day of safari-ing the Angama way, the sunken fire pit is the best place to be – a chilled G&T in hand – as the sun slowly disappears from the savannah.
Ol Donyo Lodge
As Hemingway once said, “I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy” – and Chyulu Hills was a place he returned to again and again. Sitting beneath the formidable Mount Kenya, Ol Donyo offers everything you could ask for in a safari retreat with voluminous, four-poster beds, a library packed with wildlife reads, and an infinity pool where you can spend many hours, gazing over the plains below. And that’s before we’ve mentioned the startling array of wildlife (see it all up-close from the lodge’s open-air hide), the epic horseback safaris, and home-cooked dinners in the middle of the bush. If you long to be even closer to the wilderness, book into the spectacular star bed and spend a night beneath the great African sky.
Lengishu
Perfectly located in a conservancy in the foothills of Mount Kenya, this private home promises everything you could possibly want from a Kenya safari – and then some. A dedicated team of chefs, housekeepers and a private guide see to every detail and having the place all to yourselves means that each day takes shape according to you alone. Constructed from earth, stone and thatch, the cottages feel as if they have risen from the ground itself – and then furnished by someone with a keen eye for style! With locally-sewn fabrics, huge soaking tubs and roaring fires to warm chilly nights, Lengishu is the home away from home you’ve been dreaming of.
Betty’s Suite
A gathering of islands off the northern coast of Kenya, Lamu is a time capsule of traditional Swahili life and a heady mix of history, culture and picture-perfect beaches. One of our favourite hideaways, tucked just up from the harbour in Shela on Lamus Island itself, is Betty’s Suite. The perfect boutique retreat for two, you’ll linger over views of the sweeping beach (the sunrises are utterly sublime), and there’s plenty to help you achieve peak R&R including a sunken bath for long lazy soaks, an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, and a gorgeous shaded terrace for whiling away the days with a good book. In between, the private chef is always on hand to whip up the catch-of-the-day, and there’s a small team to ensure your every need is met. Wishing you were there?
Sasaab
The sole camp for miles and miles, Sasaab is as intimate and exclusive as they come. With its Moroccan flair, it wins big in the style stakes too: think cool, white facades, sunken lounges draped in colourful textiles, giant, open-air bedrooms, and private plunge pools… The views of the rugged Samburu terrain are astonishing, especially from the top of ‘sundowner rock’, and you’ll also have the chance to explore the landscape both on foot and on camel-back safaris. With strong ties to the local Samburu community and an unparalleled knowledge of the region, the guides provide a wealth of understanding and love for this area. And then you’ll return to camp, ready for a spot of pampering at the Hamman-esque spa.
Msambweni Beach House
Having managed to stay mostly off the tourist radar (and made all the better for it), coastal Mswambweni is a dream of gently lapping turquoise water and untouched shoreline. There are just a handful of chic eco-hideaways to choose from here, and our vote always goes to Msambweni Beach House. It’s near impossible not to feel relaxed from the moment you arrive, especially if you’re staying in one of the luxury villas, which enjoy a delightful Swahili style and their own infinity pool. When you’re not lazing in the sunshine with something ice-cool in hand, there’s snorkelling, kitesurfing and fishing expeditions on offer, all rounded off with a private seaside dinner beneath the stars.
Elsa’s Kopje Lodge
Despite being one of the most diverse and incredible parks in East Africa, Meru remains an off-the-beaten-track destination with a serious story to tell. And is there anywhere more befitting to stay than Elsa’s Kopje Lodge, named after Joy and George Adamson’s famous lion? Brimming with African romance, you’ll find four-poster beds and sunken baths with serious views. A good soak is just the ticket after an epic game drive or bush walk, where all manner of wildlife can be spotted including lesser-known creatures like reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra. Add it all up and you have one of the finest lodges in Africa.
Loldia House
Set on the western shores of Lake Naivasha, Loldia House is the personification of charm. Surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens, its near-100 year history shines through whether you’re curled up in front of the roaring fire with a slice of homemade cake, or sipping from crystal glassware at dinner. The interiors are beautifully done with animal-print textiles and plenty of soft, inviting hues. From boat rides and fishing on the lake to daily game drives on the ranch and to Hells Gate and Crater Lake National Parks and riding amongst hordes of antelope by horseback, the possibilities for adventure are endless.
Giraffe Manor
If there’s one place on this list you’ve likely already heard whisperings (or shouts) about, it’s Giraffe Manor. This Nairobi bolthole has shot to fame in the past few years and is now at the very top of many a bucket list, and with good reason! The 1930s Manor House is magnificent and inside, the claw-footed bathtubs and elegant, wood-panelled dining room only add to the sophisticated ambiance. But it’s the beloved giraffes that wander freely around the gardens that are guaranteed to make your stay one you’ll never forget. Expect curious heads popping through the windows to join you for breakfast or afternoon tea, or head outside and feed the endangered giraffe with their own special pellets. There’s absolutely nothing else like it.
Alfajiri Cliff Villa
Just south of Momabasa, Diani is the perfect, palm-lined, white-sand end to a safari. Hidden away from the beachside hustle and bustle, you’ll find the exquisite Alfajiri Cliff Villa. This exclusive-use house takes beach chic to a new level with pops of lapis lazuli, unexpectedly elegant features and ornate wooden furnishings. Its wide verandas invite you to put your feet up and stay a while, and the turquoise pool makes the most of those clifftop views. You’re only a short stroll away from the private beach below, but if you seek to go further afield, your private driver will be ready and waiting.
