Angama Safari Camp

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.

Located on the edge of the Ewaso River in a pristine wilderness within the Westgate Community Conservancy, the lodge boasts some fantastic views and is perfectly located to give you some amazing game sightings. If you want to get involved in activities, there is a huge variety of things to get involved with but otherwise, ‘Spa Saab’ will look after you in calming treatment rooms and it even offers yoga. What’s more, Sasaab is involved in many projects with the local Samburu tribe and runs many sustainability initiatives. Each of the nine distinctive open-walled rooms are furnished with a Moroccan flair with simple but elegant trimmings. They are extremely spacious (over 100sqm each) with west facing verandas and their own private plunge pools overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River. You’re higher up and closer to the Sahara here, so it can get very warm, but the lodge has been built to provide respite from the heat. The open tented rooms are airy and your plunge pool is just a short stroll from your bed. The family unit is ideal for two couples travelling together as well as families. This luxurious suite is spacious, featuring one en-suite double room and one en-suite twin room with a communal lounge and private plunge pool. The main dining area is reminiscent of a souk and is great for a lazy afternoon watching the game frequent the river below. The lodge has a strong relationship with the hundreds of families that live on and own the conservancy and they are very proud to give guests to the lodge a special insight into their daily lives. These cultural experiences are non intrusive and if you’re lucky, they might even invite you to see a genuine traditional ceremony in the village. Trips to the local Samburu markets take place twice a week and are not to be missed.

Located deep within the bio-diverse Lewa Conservancy, the hilltop Lewa House is perfectly placed to experience some of the best safaris in Kenya. The main house is the focal area of the lodge, where you’ll dine family style with your hosts Calum and Sophie on the long wooden table in the evenings and share stories of the day’s adventures. During the heat of the day take a dip in the large swimming pool overlooking a waterhole. Strung out along the hillside around the central lodge are seven separate cottages all with great views from the private verandas. Home to some of the best game viewing in East Africa, the Lewa Conservancy is a great choice for those looking for a comprehensive “Big Five” safari experience. Travel out from the house by foot, car, camel and vintage bi-plane to make the most of this richly rewarding area.

Location is everything at Sala’s Camp. Nestled in the Maasai Mara National Park, but in a very remote southern-central corner of it on the tranquil banks of the Sand River, Sala’s boasts the most private of safari experiences within the reserve’s borders.