A Luxury Kenya Safari and Beach Honeymoon

Set between the Ngong Hills and Jamhuri Park, the Hemingways Nairobi is a boutique hotel far removed from the bustle of the capital. Expect excellent service and delicious food in this all-inclusive establishment. Choose from one of 45 lofty rooms furnished in a classic style; vaulted ceilings and balconies are complemented by exposed timber, cotton drapes and neutral tones. The two, 240 square metre themed-suites improve upon this with well-appointed living rooms, study and dining areas, opening to large terraces. All rooms have views either of the rolling hotel lawns or the Ngong hills in the distance. Dining at The Brasserie, you can enjoy a contemporary European menu boasting some of the best steak in Kenya and a relaxed ambiance. Head to The Dining Room for a more formal atmosphere and modern cuisine of local providence.

The Emakoko occupies an enviable position on the edge of Nairobi National Park on the Kitengela plains, being a 30-minute drive from both of Nairobi’s airports yet in a wild environment. There are 10 open plan cottages all with elevated views over the national park, and all with their own private outside deck, fireplace and ensuite bathrooms. A communal lounge, bar and dining area is where guests come together to eat, relax and talk about the days game drives or excursions into the city. Along with the lodge’s good service and high standard, the added allure is the lodge’s convenience to both airports which you get to and from by driving through the national park, and is a game drive in itself.

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.

High up on a perch on top of the Kalama Mountains with spectacular all round views of Northern Kenya, sits Saruni Samburu. This design lodge is extremely unique and offers an exclusive game experience with 95,000 hectares of wildlife conservancy to traverse and hunt out the game. Leopards can sometimes be seen visiting the waterholes near the lodge, and the landscape attracts huge amount of plains game followed by the stealthy predators. The very stylish Saruni Samburu comprises six luxury villas and is a magnificent place to experience both game and culture on the cusp of the Samburu ecosystem. The rooms are all on open decking with magical views spanning the horizon and are decorated to the highest of standards. The lodge is actually based 7km north of the National Park and guests can either visit the park or the national reserve or enjoy Kalama game viewing on the doorstep. The exclusivity that this lodge can afford is extremely attractive and makes it very special indeed. Besides the private game experiences, you could spend a few days learning the survival skills of Samburu warriors and go back to the hunter gatherer ways that these ancient people still live by. You can learn to track animals and trace your way back home across the stunning plains. Each of the guides are trained to the highest professional guiding standards and provide you with true insight into some of nature’s wonders. Saruni Samburu is a two hour drive from Saruni Rhino where you can track black rhino on foot for the ultimate adventure.

Still a family home, this remote and rather beautiful lodge sits on a cliff overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River which continues to flow and draw game all year round. Mount Kenya can be seen looming in the distance, and the lodge also enjoys views of the Karisa Hills and Mathews Mountains in the north. This lovely lodge is not just a stunning place to enjoy the wilderness and relax but also a great way to witness a good example of working closely with the local community to help preserve cultural heritage and to improve their standards of living, education and health care. The community in this area are charming and you will be able to get to know them better during your stay here. With just 6 spacious open-fronted cottages, this functional home has a really personal touch. Each of the cottages have been built with stone and thatch, keeping you cool and fitting in with the stunning settings. You can enjoy privacy on your own veranda and watch the world go by. Sabuk Lodge also has an exclusive cottage, Eagle Cottage, which has two en-suite rooms and is ideal for families and groups who desire a little more privacy. The unit has its own exclusive communal boma, plunge pool and a dedicated team of staff. You have a variety of activity choices here which make the most of the landscape. Swimming in the river, fishing, and tubing the rapids are great ways to enjoy the Ewaso Nyiro River and if you want to explore on horseback that is also an option to get up close to plains game. Guides camel safaris are a speciality at Sabuk and excursions into the bush are a great, and surprisingly comfortable way to discover Laikipia Plateau.

A very different kind of lodge, the Sanctuary at Ol Lentille actually consists of four independent and uniquely designed houses that provide you with your own home away from home but in the most awe-inspiring setting. Your stay here will directly benefit the local community, with funds going to local schools, hospitals and various other projects. The lodge itself sits up high on hills with views of a beautiful valley below with spectacular 360-degree views over the private conservancy, which stretches across more than 40,000 acres. All of the architecturally magnificent houses have access to a mixture of courtyards, gardens and decking. The stylishly contemporary African style Chief’s house is the largest with three en-suite bedrooms which sleeps six very comfortably. The Colonel’s House has two en-suite bedrooms. The Sultan’s House and the retro African style Eyrie are rather romantic houses with just one bedroom. Each of the four houses share the main lodge area, which has a library and an infinity swimming pool to laze about in while gazing down the valleys below. The library’s telescope brings details to the stars above and if you need some pampering after a real bush experience, make use of the spa. A stay here goes far beyond the usual safari format of early mornings and twice-daily game drives if you want with an incredible array of activities on offer and plenty of flexibility. Venture out into the wilderness for bush skills course, walk with Samburu and Maasai warriors, explore the reserve on a mountain bike in addition to excellent 4×4 game drives. There are also some authentic cultural experiences.

One of our favourite camps in Africa. Alex Walker’s Serian in the North Mara Conservancy is beautifully perched on the Mara River. Ngare Camp is made up of just four traditional style but luxurious tents set on wooden decks. What makes Serian stand out is that you will have a private guide and vehicle for the duration of your stay, this coupled with the quality of the local Masaai guides means that you are set for a truly exclusive experience in the Mara North Conservancy. Guests are able to take bush walks and night drives in the private area near the camp, allowing for a more ‘involved’ and exciting trip to the Mara. Alex has been guiding and organising expert safaris throughout East Africa for over 25 years and his keen enthusiasm for this wonderful land is reflected in his camps. Serian Mara’s tents have a comforting colonial feel to them, with furniture that depict that historical time. Spacious and airy with verandas to enjoy the passing wildlife drawn to the river, you have a really lovely area to simply relax in a stunning setting. Ideally situated in a high density game area, this camp is a luxurious way to spend your time in the Mara. With over 450 bird species that flock here year round, it will be difficult for you to ever be without some sort of wildlife in your immediate sights. Lion, leopard and cheetah are resident even when the migration have moved on, and provide some awesome photographic opportunities. Guests at Serian will receive exclusive use of a private safari vehicle and guide at no extra cost.

Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp is located within a beautiful community-owned concession close to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and the Kenyan border, a timeless setting with incredible views over the game covered plains that surround it. Adding an extra layer to this camp is the fact that is closely involved with local community and conservation efforts, meaning that your stay is benefitting many. The camp itself, colonial in style with dark woods, swathes of canvas and antique pieces, is made up of ten tents, spaced out to ensure privacy. Of the ten, four are family suites with their own living rooms and fireplaces and there also a unique honeymoon suite. All have en-suite showers and safari baths and showers can be set up in the savannah for unforgettable ablutions. Two main mess tents sit at the heart of Cottar’s with areas for fine dining, drinking, reading and relaxing. There’s also a swimming pool and spa. The Cottar family have decades of experience here and they count the highest number of Gold (the highest professional level) Safari Guides within one camp in Kenya, each chosen for their unique skillset and personalities, meaning a safari here, whether on foot or game drives, is always a fantastic. Cultural interaction with the local Maasai community, with whom the Cottars have worked in partnership with for years, is authentic and not at all touristy. The award-winning camp also has some of the highest ecotourism ratings going.

Olonana is located on a private section of the Mara River, offering you spectacular views of the animals as they wander down the banks each day. What makes this camp extra special is its relationship with local communities and its efforts to be as environmentally responsible as possible. Fourteen canvas pavilions are dotted along the river, each one extremely spacious with parquet flooring and four poster beds. With a modern spin this lodge has a library that you can enjoy and it even has a pool for an afternoon dip. And, if you feel like you need some extra pampering, you could wander down to the mini spa for some traditional African treatments with the bush as your soundtrack. Besides the usual fantastic game drives where you can see the big five and more than 300 bird species, you will also have the chance to enjoy a nature work outside the reserve. These are hugely educational and your guides will point out the most remarkable things, from animal tracks and spoor to sights where lions have marked their territory. As the lands are not only home to game, you can also visit a Maasai village for some cultural insight into the traditional lives that these remarkable people lead. This is a fabulous camp for families as there is a kids club and a range of special activities. Expert guides will take children out on game drives and accompany them to the nearby Maasai village where they will learn how to make and shoot a traditional bow and arrow, make a fire, build a hut, herding cattle to name a few. Kids will also be able to interact with the local children while playing football together, learn Maasai songs and traditional dances. Other activities include going out on a nature trail where they will learn about animal footprint identification or enjoy a bush treasure hunt followed by planting their own tree.

Mnemba, a small island 4.5 kilometres off the north-eastern coast of Zanzibar, is heaven incarnate. Which makes Mnemba Lodge this nirvana’s only resident hotel and a true desert island escape. The lodge is actively involved in various conservation efforts in the region, including monitoring and protecting the small population of very rare Ader’s duikers found here, and carefully taking care of the coastline and ocean. Ten luxury Zanzabari banda houses are hidden into the island’s Casuarina pine forest whose cooing wild doves and adorable Suni deer make it a very romantic Swiss Robinson world. Each of the bandas are designed to let as much of the outside in with an open plan set out, walls made of coconut matting rolled up to reveal Indian Ocean views, big beds and sofas dressed in plumped-up white linens, handmade furniture, a dressing room, private verandas and an en-suite bathroom. What’s more, apart from the deer and doves the only other people you share the island with are the other guests and staff. The lodge has enchanted a string of impressive guests from royalty to Silicone Valley tycoons, and it isn’t hard to see why. Dinner is always served on the beach (weather permitting) and both the food and staff are magnificent. Also if you’re afraid you’ll get bored on Mnemba, there’s always the lodge’s good list of activities to sway you: choose from learning how to dive with the lodge’s instructors, to watching turtles nest, fly fishing or kayaking.

The intimate Palms beachfront resort also lies on Zanzibar’s pristine Bwejuu sands and with only six standalone villas this is certainly a hotel suited for those after romance, shoreline seclusion and good service. Not far from Baraza and sharing some of the same facilities such as the Water Club and some Spa services, the Palms has more of a local African flavour having opted for traditional steep thatched structures designed with elegant hardwood furniture, colourings and fabrics in a neutral palette, antique colonial pieces positioned alongside local art and inviting soft furnishings that all mirror the typical safari lodge style. Each of the villas are well-appointed giving you a real and unassuming retreat experience; 140 sqm with their own living room, plunge pool, extra en-suite bedroom and terrace with views of the Indian Ocean. The main ‘Plantation House’ has some lovely sitting areas, an evening bar and a restaurant serving some great local fare. The overall atmosphere is relaxed and low key with Bwejuu beach but a few moments away offering white sands, shaded coconut palms and coral lagoons.

Conjuring up Zanzibar’s heady fusion of heritage, Baraza is a sumptuous boutique resort and spa on the shores of one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Located on the island’s south-eastern coastline are Baraza’s thirty ultra-luxe villas designed as simple Swahili-style cement structures and dressed in all the Arabian elegance of intricately carved furniture, giant pillows and handmade antiques all under the warm romantic glow of hanging brass lanterns. The villas come in three sizes with differing views yet all have their own living rooms, music systems and large private terraces with plunge pools. Baraza’s list of services are similarly spoiling; there’s a full spa complete with a large menu of treatments and therapies, a kids club for entertaining smaller members of the family and a watersports club for all sorts of nautical adventures from kitesurfing to paddle boarding and scuba diving courses. There are some good local activities to choose from too and the staff and hospitality at the hotel is really superb. What’s more all this borders Bwejuu beach – voted one of the World’s Top 30 Beaches by Conde Nast Traveller.