Rhino Africa’s Top 10 Lodges in Kenya 2012

Kenya is the land of fiery sunsets and tall warriors with a rich history and vibrant culture. It is where some of the oldest known paleontological records of mankind have been found, where Prince William proposed to Catherine, the homeland of US President Barack Obama and of course, Simba the lion.

Experience East Africa in 30 seconds!

From the grassy plains of the Masai Mara to the snowy peaks of Mount Kenya, Kenya has a landscape as diverse as its culture. To make your East African adventure that much easier we’ve selected our Top 10 lodges in Kenya. Take a look at our list and let’s start planning. It’s as easy as Hakuna Matata!

 Nairobi

Nairobi is Kenya’s urban jungle and the official capital since 1907. A modern hub that owes its existence to the East Africa railway, Nairobi has been dubbed East Africa’s ‘Safari City’. The capital is a veritable cosmopolitan and the obvious stop for tourists en route to their safari adventure.

Where? The Giraffe Manor is surrounded by 140 acres of indigenous forest just outside Nairobi, and a short drive from Wilson Airport and Kenyatta International Airport.
Why? Giraffes. We could say more, but that’s really all you need to know. The giraffes at the manor were hand reared and are incredibly social. Feed ’em, stroke ’em,watch them at play – this is an unparalleled wilderness experience.

Read more about Giraffe Manor here.

 Masai Mara

If you’ve ever watched ‘Out of Africa’, you’ll know what to expect from the Masai Mara. It really is as vast, majestic and awe-inspiring as the movies make out. Well-known for its abundance of lion, the Great Migration and of course, the native Masai people, the Masai Mara National Reserve spans 1,510 sq km (580 sq miles) and peaks at 2,170 meters above sea level.

Where? The Governors’ family of camps is inside the Masai Mara Game Reserve in south-western Kenya on the border of Tanzania’s Serengeti Game Reserve.
Why? As the smallest and most luxurious of the six lodges in the Governors’ portfolio, this exclusive camp is the definitive predator viewing location. Even the BBC thought so when they chose the Moran Camp to film the Big Cat Diaries series in 2008. You’ll be treated to phenomenal game-drives, walking safaris and culturally sensitive tours of the local Masai villages.

Read more about Governors’ IL Moran Camp here.

Where? Kichwa Tembo Bateleur Camp is located in the western section of the Masai Mara. Twice daily flights allow you to fly direct to Kichwa Tembo Airstrip from Wilson Airport in Nairobi.
Why? You’ll be transported to the magic of the 1920s. This is Africa at its most romantic and most elegant – the camp is located in a lush forest, offering seclusion and the promise of a classic safari experience.

Read more about Kichwa Tembo Bateleur Camp here.

Where? Sanctuary Olonana makes use of the Kichwa Tembo airstrip, which is 15 minutes away from the camp. There are twice daily flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport.
Why? The Masai are a fascinating, dynamic people who are as much a part of the landscape as the thorny trees and blazing sunsets – at Sanctuary Olonana, you’ll be offered a glimpse of the day-to-day lives of the Masai people in the adjacent Masai village. And, with the abundance of wildlife, the safariing ain’t bad either.

Read more about Sanctuary Olonana here.

Samburu National Reserve

You want to go to Samburu for one reason – the wildlife. The open plains are teeming with game, making this a safari utopia. The area is well-known as the place where famous naturalists George and Joy Adamson raised orphaned lions and reintroduced them to the wild.

Where? Elsa’s Kopje is tucked into the trees on the Mughwango Hill in the Meru National Park with daily scheduled flights from Nairobi to the Kinna Airstrip about 45 minutes from the safari lodge.
Why? Remote and hidden, this is a lodge for true safari connoisseurs. It is also the one-time home of Elsa the lioness, who was adopted as a cub by naturalist Joy Adamson and later released into the wild. Some of the lions you’re sure to spot might even be Elsa’s successors.

Read more about Elsa’s Kopjie here.

Where? Saruni Samburu has its own private airstrip near the Kalama Wildlife Conservancy headquarters, but it is also easily served by the other airstrips of the area where scheduled flights land.
Why? Staying at the Saruni Samburu will make you feel small. Not because there’s anything diminutive about the lodge, but because it is surrounded by over 95,000 hectares of untouched, uninterrupted Kenyan landscape. If you’ve ever wanted an authentic African escape, this is the place!

Read more about Saruni Samburu here.

 Lamu Island

Thought Kenya was only about gassy plains and growling lions? You thought wrong. Lamu Island is the best known of a number of islands in the Lamu archipelago off the coast of northern Kenya. Think powdery white shores and crystalline waters and you’ll get the picture. This is one island paradise you won’t mind getting stranded on.

Where? Manda Bay is situated on the northwestern tip of Manda Island – one of the many unspoilt, idyllic islands within the Lamu archipelago.
Why? Unless you’re allergic to sandy beaches and laid-back island living then there’s no reason for you not to explore one of Kenya’s more tropical destinations.

Read more about Manda Bay here.

Mount Kenya

So it might not be the highest mountain in Africa, or even the most -climbed, but Mount Kenya is certainly one of the most interesting. Imagine summiting this extinct volcano (upon which the locals believe their god, Ngai resides in an Zeus-like fashion), which straddles the equator, and viewing the wild landscape from its misty peaks. The area surrounding the mountain is rich with wildlife. Look out for the giant forest hogs and the rare white-tailed mongoose.

Where? Borana Lodge is set on the edge of the Samangua Valley with panoramic views of Mount Kenya and Kenya’s Northern Frontier.
Why? Ever thought you’d see cowboys in Kenya? Well at Borana, anything is possible – this fully functional ranch is in the middle of the African wilderness! So, in addition to safariing your heart out, you’ll be able to see the inner workings of this ranch and even get a chance to interact with the cattle. So get your Stetson on and saddle up!

Read more about Borana Ranch and Safari Lodge here.

 The Great Rift Valley

 A trip to Kenya would not be complete without a visit to The Great Rift Valley. It isn’t every day that one can witness the sheer magnitude of one of nature’s greatest anomalies. Caused by the movement of the earth’s tectonic plates millions of years ago, this gigantic fracture in the Earth’s crust runs some 6440km from the Dead Sea in Jordan all the way to Mozambique. The Valley reaches its deepest point just north of Nairobi, which makes Kenya the prime spot to view this magnificent trench.

Where? Loldia House is set on the picturesque shores of Lake Naivasha in Kenya’s Rift Valley. The lodge is only a two hour drive from Nairobi and within easy reach of Nairobi’s International Airport.
Why? Think pink! This is the place to see those famous dancing flamingos do the flamenco across Lake Naivasha. Flamingos aren’t the only thing guests will see up-close and personal. Wild animals roam freely across the farm while hippos munch quietly by the waterside! For wildlife lovers, there can be no better spot.

Read more about Loldia House here.

Tsavo Plains

The Tsavo Plains represent iconic Kenya. Here is where you’ll see the giant baobab trees, herds of red-dust covered elephants and wildlife in all their savage beauty. Tsavo West National Park is covered in volcanic cones, rocky outcrops and lava flows, the most spectacular being Shaitani. Tsavo offers solitude from the bustling Nairobi markets and other tourist-dominated safari sites. Here you will find a certain solitude that allows you to truly appreciate the magnificence of the plains.

Where? The lodge is situated in the 275,000 acre Mbirikani Group Ranch on the slopes of Chyulu Hills and forms part of the Amboseli/Tsavo region of southeastern Kenya.
Why? Beside being a fantastic place to put up your feet and indulge in the pampering on offer, ol Donyo is all about experiencing the wild from the most intimate, most immediate vantage point. Walking, tracking and horseback safaris are encouraged, and with an experienced tracker at your side, this is one safari adventure you won’t soon forget.

Read more about ol Donyo Lodge here.

Rhino Africa can tailor-make an African holiday of a lifetime to suit your budget, needs and style. One of our discerning and experienced consultants can give you all the inside information to ensure that you get the best experience and the best value for money possible. So contact us today and let’s start planning! Africa awaits.