Angama Amboseli

Originally built in the 1930s, Giraffe Manor is ideally located in south west Nairobi, just 20 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Situated in one of Nairobi’s most beautiful suburbs, this beautiful Manor House is located on 140 acres of pristine sanctuary land. Perfect for a quick stopover in the capital city, with an extra quirkiness to add to the convenience. What’s more, each guest’s stay directly benefits projects in some of the city’s poorest areas. This lovely Manor is home to endangered Rothschild giraffes that make daily visits to the house and politely ask guests for snacks. This up-close experience is remarkably enchanting and a great way to begin or finish your safari in Kenya. The opportunity to visit a handful of local attractions such as the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Karen Blixen museum (among others) are also available and a great way to explore Nairobi in more detail. The style of this boutique hotel is modelled on a Scottish lodge with a contemporary feel to it’s decor.  The main manor house has just six en-suite luxury bedrooms, each with its own character and tastefully decorated. Four additional luxury bedrooms are situated within the garden manor, surrounded by the manicured gardens. Each room is comfortable, with subtle warm colours that give a homely feel. Grand, four-poster beds and large windows give an airy quality that allows you to simply relax and enjoy your time in Nairobi without the hustle and bustle of city life. Giraffe Manor is well known for the excellent cuisine offered, with meals taken in the wood panelled dining room overlooking the gardens. Breakfast is the most important part of your experience here, as this is when the Giraffe are their most inquisitive.

Styled in a very natural way, Segera is an unusual and elegant safari retreat founded by philanthropist Jochen Zeitz as part of the Zeitz Foundation to support creative and innovative sustainable projects and solutions that balance conservation, community development, culture, and commerce. Surrounded by lovely sculpted gardens complete with expansive lawns, the property is set in a 50,000 acre ranch right in the heart of Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau, with stunning views of Mount Kenya. Segera offers six spacious timber thatched villas. There is one large Segera villa that has a bedroom, terrace, day bed with its own pool, and both an indoor and outdoor lounge, and Segera House with two bedrooms, central lounge, roof terraces and its own private pool area, a good option for families. A new addition and one of the most unique rooms in Africa, spend a night in the NAY PALAD Bird Nest. Built and designed from raw materials, including actual tree branches which have been woven into a nest by local community members, the interior suite features a fully-equipped bathroom with running solar heated water and a literal 360 degree bird’s eye views over the river and plains below from the top deck. There is also a spa, gym, art gallery and a simply wonderful old Wine Tower which you can dine in. This is also a first class area for viewing game; while on your daily drives it is common to see elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, buffalo, antelopes, gazelles, along with the very rare Grevy’s zebras and Patas monkeys. Another star attraction is Gipsy Moth biplane that starred in Out of Africa from which you can enjoy an unforgettable aerial safari.

Following a boat ride along the Mara River and a walk through the forest, you will reach the undisturbed and intimate Little Governors’ Camp. Seventeen spacious tents sit around a large watering hole where herds of wildlife are constant visitors. Take in the views of wandering warthogs and elephant guests from your tent’s wooden deck, which provides you with heaps of comfort. A warm and welcoming atmosphere is prevalent here – for both guests and animals. Evenings are spent recounting the day’s safari tales around the burning log fire, while tasty meals are served up either al fresco in the Kenyan bush or inside the dining tent.

Situated 17 miles north of the equator, Borana Ranch has a high density of wildlife including large packs of wild dog, a healthy rhino population and predators such as leopard, lion and cheetah. The lodge itself overlooks a gorgeous lake which attracts high numbers of elephants and buffalo, and in the distance Mount Kenya can be seen rising out of the African earth. The Dyer family who own the lodge and have done for three generations have a passion for conservation projects and this will be a large focus for any visit to this pretty place. Ideal for families, honeymooners or the adventurous, this ranch is free of the malarial mosquito and offers something for everyone. Eight romantic and spacious cottages give you the chance to enjoy the wilderness and each has a phenomenal view over the dam below. When it gets a bit chilly in the evenings, you can relax in front of a crackling fire and sip spend time listening to the African bush. The main lodge area has an infinity pool and large sofas within are very easy to just sink into. The ambiance is definitely a family feel and the history of the conservation projects that they are so highly involved in ekes through making this a highly enjoyable place to explore northern Kenya.