Away to Africa Safaris

Kenya Accommodations

A safari does not mean sacrificing comfort.

Virtually every national park and game reserve or private concession offers a wide array of accommodations.

The cost of a safari is primarily mandated by several criteria. First and foremost is accommodation selection. Non-game drive activities are usually at additional cost, but there are a few exceptions to that rule, depending on the accommodation.

We have highlighted a sample of accommodation choices. These are by no means the only ones available in the noted areas.

A-Way-To Africa Safaris is not in the business of selling rooms, but rather chooses accommodations by the following criteria:

  • proximity to wildlife
  • clients preference for range of comfort
  • quality of accommodations
  • quality of staff
  • quality of food
  • commitment to the preservation of wildlife
  • hiring of local people to help benefit the community
  • travel budget

Borana Ranch, at the foot of Mt. Kenya. Eight cottages and a newly built family house. Numerous non-game drive activities are available such as guided walks, mountain biking, learning about a working ranch or even visiting a high altitude rose farm. Highlight is horsebackriding, available for various riding abilities. Laundry and drinks included. Set menu.

Cottars 1920s Safari Camp, located in the Masai Mara, Kenya, bordering the Serengeti and Loliondo reserves. Cottars is a 22,000-acre private concession ensuring privacy to its guests. Private butler service, ensuite facilities with flush toilet. Drinks and laundry included. Non-game drive activities also available. Set menu.

Desert Rose, northern Kenya. Five cottages with ensuite facilites at the base of Mt. Nyiru, offering peace and tranquility. Ideal pre- or post-safari destination. Swimming pool. Walking/camel safaris available. Beverages and laundry included. Set menu. No regularly scheduled flights, so chartered aircraft is mandatory. If you are looking for “off the beaten path” and a place to immerse yourself in culture/scenery and non-game drive activities, Desert Rose is the place to go.

Elephant Pepper Camp, located in the Koiyaki Group Ranch area bordering the Masai Mara, Kenya. Elephant Pepper retains the traditional safari ethos with its tents that, of course, have ensuite facilities. Drinks and laundry included. Night game and guided walks available. Set menu.

Elsa’s Kopje, in the heart of Meru National Park, Kenya. Stunning property that is an architectural achievement. Nine cottages, two of which are separated by a suspended rope bridge. Swimming pool and private butler service. Drinks and laundry included. Set menu.

House of Waine, Karen, Nairobi. Just outside from the city center. Luxury boutique hotel. All rooms have ensuite facilities. Restaurant on the premises.

Loisaba. A private game and working ranch at the border of Laikipia and the Northern Frontier District. Numerous non-game drive activities offered such as mountain biking, camel rides, river safaris (water level permitting), walking safaris, tennis facilities and ATV’s, to name a few. Each room has ensuite facilities, small fridge and private patio. Set menu.

Mara Explorer Camp, Kenya. Luxury tented camp along the Talek River. Traditional tent accommodations, with full ensuite facilities. Choice of menu items. Mara Explorer guests can visit facilities (pool and gift shop) at neighboring sister camp, Mara Intrepids. Drinks and laundry included. Kenya. Luxury tented camp along the Talek River. Traditional tent accommodations, with full ensuite facilities. Choice of menu items. Mara Explorer guests can visit facilities (pool and gift shop) at neighboring sister camp, Mara Intrepids. Drinks and laundry included.

Naibor Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya. Located in a forest adjacent to the Talek River, Naibor is a small, luxury camp with fewer than 10 tents. Intimate and ensuring privacy, the tents have bush showers and flush toilets, all the while maintaining strict ecological standards. Set menu.

Ol Seki Mara Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya. Unique 12-sided tents with full ensuite facilities. Part of extensive conservancy, with numerous non-game drive activities offered. Drinks and laundry included. Set menu.

Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi. Situated between Jomo Kenyatta International and Wilson airports, ideal location for overnight stays or day room use. Formal and casual dining, gift shop, various room levels and roof-top pool overlooking Nairobi National Park.

Royal Mara Safari Lodge, Mara North Conservancy. Surrounded on three sides by the Mara River and in very close proximity to optimum game-viewing in the conservancy, all eight chalets are river-front. Laundry included. Set menu.

Saruni Mara , set in a conservation area bordering the Masai Mara, Kenya. Cottage accommodation, with night game drives and guided walks included. There is also a family suite, and for those who want complete privacy, Saruni Wild: a private campsite. All built to strict ecological standards, Saruni Lodge has six cottages with ensuite facilities, including eco-toilets, as well as the family suite. Drinks and laundry included. Set menu.

Saruni Rhino, Sera Conservancy. Three open-air, stone cottages make up the entire property. The pool is especially appreciated in the semi-arid landscape, which is stark and striking at the same time. Highlight is the rhino tracking (done on foot – fantastic! – once a day) conducted in the first community owned rhino sanctuary, where Black Rhino have been reintroduced. Soft drinks/house wine/local beer, laundry, shared night and day game drives as well as guided walks included. Set menu but special dietary needs can be met. All photos courtesy of Saruni Rhino.

Saruni Samburu, newest of the luxury “camps,” Saruni Samburu is located within the Kalama Conservancy. Only a handful of chalet’s all with ensuite facilties, as well as open-air showers. Family suite available. Drinks and laundry included. Set menu. Stunning landscape and prime opportunity to take advantage of bush meals, guided walks and night game drives, which are included.  

Tortilis Camp, on the southern edge of Amboseli National Park, Kenya. A luxury permanent tented camp, with spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and a beautiful pool area. Surrounded by an electric fence. En suite facilities with flush toilet. Set menu for dinner.