Set on the fringes of a riverine forest, overlooking the vast, game-filled plains of the Mara, this tented camp offers world-class style in the African bush. Bateleur Camp consists of 18 tents, 9 in each intimate camp with a shower and a private deck. Each is elegant and cleverly tucked away within the very heart of Kenya’s wilderness. Private butlers will serve delicious Pan-African cuisine in the dining area, brass, silver and leather interiors – Bateleur Camp is classic and luxuriously comfortable. Bush breakfasts, sundowners and candlelit dinners offer an unforgettable experience of the African bush. Leisure facilities include a lap pool, curio shop, game drives, night game drives, guided nature walks, Masai community visits and lectures and hot-air ballooning.

Mount Kenya Safari Club is situated near the high slopes of Africa’s second highest mountain, Mt Kenya. Spread over 100 acres of manicured lawns, tranquil streams and landscaped gardens, and with spectacular views of Mount Kenya in the distance, it provides peaceful respite after a day of adventure. Located 10 kms from Nanyuki Town, it is the only place where you can relax, view, walk, escape, self treat after a seminar or conference or business trip away from Nairobi city. With nature’s bounty as your doorstep, no visit to Kenya is complete without a stay here, the country’s most famous retreat.

With magnificent views of majestic Mount Kenya, the Fairmont Safari Club’s 115 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, set in over 100 acres of landscaped gardens, offer a unique blend of comfort, relaxation and adventure.  Each of the guest rooms, suites and cottages reflects the history and charm of the original residence complete with modern-day amenities. They are equipped with beds with pillowtop mattresses, coffee/tea makers, mini bars, phones, in room safes, complimentary bottled water, and bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations.

With newly refurbished interiors, Fairmont Mara Safari Club is located at the foot of the Aitong Hills, the north west of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Bordered on three sides by the lively Mara River, you’ll be safe and snug in your spacious wood-floored tent, which is set on stilts with its own private balcony. The camp is positioned on an ox-bow of the Mara River, so that all en-suite tents have a view of the hippo-filled river. This classy camp more than meets Fairmont Hotel global reputation for luxury and excellent standards of service.

Accommodations at Fairmont Mara Safari Club are 50 tents each superbly furnished with its own private, three-piece bathroom, including a number of outdoor showers in selected tents. Surrounded by well-cultivated gardens dotted among indigenous trees, the main lodge is themed old-style safari with deep padded leather and fabric armchairs, beaded lamps, an open fireplace, and an inviting wood-paneled bar. Four-poster beds include pillowtop mattresses. The larger-sized accommodations also feature expanded decks which allow for private dining.

This Masai Mara hotel offers a restaurant, an outdoor pool, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, bar and library with Internet access. A spacious outdoor deck overlooks the river and leads to a heated pool, complete with poolside bar, so guests can sip a refreshing drink poolside or indoors, restaurant and private massage tents. The menu is a cosmopolitan combination of European, African and Asian dishes, made from the abundance of fresh Kenyan produce. There is an array of memorable activities: from game drives to walking safaris and even hot-air balloon safaris, ensuring an amazing experience that you will never forget.

Hemingway’s is an intimate, privately owned hotel built right at the edge of the beach of Watamu Marine Park, considered one of the world s most beautiful. Situated in one of one of East Africa’s finest big-game fishing destinations, Hemingway’s Resort overlooks the stunning beach and is a member of Small Luxury Hotels. Surrounded by lush and palm-filled gardens and offers a wide array of water sports and activities, this is the perfect way to encounter Kenya. The ocean can be seen from most rooms.

The low thatched buildings at Hemingway’s Resort blend well into the coastal environment. The hotel has a capacity for 173 guests. The bedrooms at Hemingways Resort are close to the ocean and command excellent sea views. Provide a refined yet relaxed atmosphere, they are arranged in traditional thatched buildings decorated in contemporary style with touches of local African art and bold printed fabrics. All rooms have air conditioning, mosquito nets, fans and a safe.

Facilities include swimming pool, nearby golf, gymnasium, sunset cruises on an Arabic dhow, safaris, diving and the best big-game fishing fleet in Africa. Enjoy snorkeling in the marine park or take to the waters for dolphin, whale or turtle watching. In the evening, take a sunset cruise on a dhow and return for a sumptuous seafood diner in the restaurant that serves a variety of international cuisine from sophisticated recipes with delicate sauces to simple cooking at its finest. Then enjoy a nightcap in Hemingways Bar, named after the famous writer.

Amboseli National Park, formerly Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve is 39,206 hectares (392 square km) in size at the core of an 8,000 square kilometres (3,100 sq mi) ecosystem that spreads across the Kenya-Tanzania border. The park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants among other wildlife species. The park also protects two of the five main swamps, and includes a dried-up Pleistocene lake and semi-arid vegetation. Other attractions of the park include opportunities to meet Maasai and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Amboseli offers some of the best opportunities to see African animals because its vegetation is sparse due to the long dry months. Amboseli National Park is home to wild animals, which include the African elephant, buffalo, impala, lion, cheetah, hyena, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest among other African animals. There is also a host of Kenya birds, both large and small, to see if you keep your eyes open and stop at every sighting.

When you are in Amboseli Park, the main riles are broad skies and far horizons combined with swampy springs and dry and dusty earth trammelled by hundreds of animals. Amboseli has an endless underground water supply filtered through thousands of feet of volcanic rock from Kilimanjaro’s ice cap, which funnel into two clear water springs in the heart of the park. Amboseli’s dust is ancient volcanic ash, whose salt crystals shimmer on the surface of the parched lakebed during the dry season. This creates hazy mirages which make you question just what is real.

When you arrive at the park, there are several sense rules: do not get out of your vehicle, except at designated spots; do not harass the animals in any way; keep to the tracks; no off-road driving; and remember that the animals always have the right of way. The roads in Amboseli have volcanic soil that is dusty in the dry season and impassable in the wet season. Rainy Season: The long hot and humid rainy period starts around April and lasts until June, then the short rains come during the warm months of November and December. Dry Season: January through to March are hot and dry, while July to October are warm and dry. The warm dry season is the best for game viewing and for personal comfort.

Msambweni House is located in a peaceful, untouched, amazing place on the beach in Msambweni,Kenya.It is environed by huge space of natural land. The house provides 700 feet of privy beach along a tropical, white, sandy coastline beautifuly planted with palm trees.Her you could feel the union with nature Msambweni house is luxurious and  lavish. It is an exquisite place with three large and magnificent suites in the basic house, one villa and a luxury tent in addition.

The house has superb endless pool(25 meters) with winding jetty ends.It is placed in the most amazing sundowner spot on a cliff overlooking the huge indian Ocean where visitors enjoy their cocktails watching the African sky and listening to the sounds of the waves lapping.

Activities available:
Sports: Snorkeling, fishing, kite surfing, wind surfing, beach valley ball, croquet, badminton, mountain biking with picnic, ping pang. Daily relaxation massage, pedicure, manicure.

Close to the house:
18 holes golf course,scuba diving, motorised watersports,deep sea fishing

The Majlis is a liitle plentitude hotel on the beach of Lamu archipelago. The Majlis is placed on the exclusive Manda Island in front of the world famous Lamu on Kenya’s North Coast in East Africa. The privy hotel provides 25 suites in elegant style depicting the local traditions. With tremendous seafront vistas to the Ras Kitau bay and Shela village, visitors could enjoy a perfect location to rejuvenate and make the most of the archipelago’s beauty.You could reach the hotel by boat, a short 10-minute ride from Lamu Town,which is renown a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Majlis gives to its guests exquisite and luxury amenities, in remarcable decorated interiors recalling the tropical beauty of Lamu and its natural ambience. The exceptional and lushy rooms, Junior and Royal suites are grouped into 3 villas. Each one is opend to the white sandy beach and has its own veranda with tremedous sea vistas. The rooms are large with high, beamed ceilings, huge windows and terraces with panoramic views of the ocean, garden, swimming pools. Suites offers a spacious bedroom zone with a large bed draped with linen bedding, an intimate bathroom, a privy veranda, fans.Each room is also fitted with air conditioning to guarantee a peaceful night. Wireless internet access is available.

The Majlis has two pools for the visitors to relax. They were built in the shade of the indigenous acacia and palm trees, providing a cool contrast to the warm African sun. A pool bar is also a part of that heaven place.

Placed in Nairobi, Kenya, Hotel Tribe satisfy the senses of its vistors with traditional African ambience and contemporary aesthetics.Its location is ideal for  business and holiday purposes.Few minutes away form the greens of storied Muthaiga Golf Course.Close to the local Village Market recreation and shopping area, you could reach all you need just in 5 minutes walk.The top-quality Epic restaurant is offering delicious specialties of African and European  cuisine.

Lamu Old Town originated in the 13th century, it is the oldest and best preserved example of Swahili settlement in East Africa. The old city is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built in coral stone and mangrove timber, the town is characterized by the simplicity of structural forms enriched by such features as inner courtyards, verandas, and elaborately carved wooden doors. Its like Africa 100 years ago, with some mix in of the 21th century. Women darken their eyes with kohl and ear full-length, black bui-buis, while men wear the traditional, embroidered kofia hats. There are several museums, including the Lamu Museum, home to the island’s ceremonial horn (called siwa).

Lamu has retained an important religious function with annual celebrations. The town has hosted Muslim religious festivals for over 100 years. More than 20,000 Muslims visit Lamu annually to mark the holy Maulidi Festival that also attracts tourists from East and Central Africa, Europe, North America, the Indian sub-continent and the Middle East every August.

Situated only a few miles from the equator, Loisaba is an excellent safari destination in Kenya. Located on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau (a vast plateau of over 9,500 sq. km), this 150 sq. km private wildlife lodge is in the heart of the Ewaso eco-system. The major attraction is its diversity in scenery‚ wildlife and the climate. Loisaba wilderness is a haven for more than 250 species of birds and 50 species of wildlife. The region is home to lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant.  The area offers some excellent big cat and wild dog viewing opportunities.

Built entirely of local materials, the Loisaba Lodge offers stunning views of Mount Kenya. There are many different types of habitat. One unique opportunity offered by Loisaba Lodge is the chance to sleep out on “Star Beds”. Each “Star Bed” is on a raised, handcrafted wooden platform, which is partially covered with a thatch roof. The lodge has a swimming pool and tennis court.

The guests staying at Loisaba Lodge are offered a vast array of different activities. There is the opportunity to go on walking‚ horseback or camel safaris or go fishing and‚ for the more adventurous and active‚ river rafting‚ climbing and mountain biking. The ranch also owns a micro-light and aeroplane. The guests enjoy complete freedom to choose how they spend their time… the only barrier is your own imagination.

Official site: http://www.loisaba.com

Masai village
The Masai are a very famous warrior tribe in Kenya whose lives center around herding cattle. They live in small settlements of 8-15 huts per kraal. Their settlements are surrounded by a thornbush fence as an added form of protection. The two-inch long thorns of the thornbush are as sharp as barbed wire and the men are responsible for tying branches together to form the fence. In the evening, the cattle, goats, and other domestic animals are brought inside the kraal for protection against wild animals.

woman greeter at Masai village
The huts take seven months to build by the women of the village. They are built of branches, twigs, grass, and cow dung and urine formed into a plaster and applied to a branch frame. When the mixure dries in the sun it is as strong a cement and does not smell. Generally they cannot stand up inside and the only openings are that of the doorway and a small opening in the roof or wall which allows smoke from a continually smoldering fire inside to escape. The fire is used on which to cook and to keep the family warm during the rainy season. Dried cow dung is used as the fuel for the fire.

Masai warriors complete with spears

Inside, the family sleeps on beds of woven branches cushioned with dry grasses and animal skins. In some huts, small animals are brought into the hut in the evening to help protect them from larger and more dangerous animals as well as the cold. They stay in an area close to the front door. The only evidence of western man in a Masai hut might be a iron cast fry pan, a tin drinking cup or a piece or two of western clothing. Masai women and girls have a variety of chores besides building the dung hut. They are expected to milk the cows and fetch water, however far that may be (perhaps 36 miles in some cases).

jumping is a test of strength

They must pick calabashes or gourds from vines and clean the insides of the gourds as well as decorate them with leather and beads. Milk, blood, water, honey and cornmeal are stored inside the gourds. The Masai drink milk from the cow or goat every day and when they don’t have enough milk, they mix cow’s blood with the milk. In order to get the blood, men shoot an arrow in the jugular vein in the cow’s neck. The blood spills in a gourd and is stopped with a wad of dung and mud applied to the arrow hole. The Masai believe the blood makes them very strong.
Women also spend much time doing bead work. They decorate animal hides, gourds, and make beaded jewelry including arm and leg bracelets and amulets.

masai warrior
The image most people have of the Masai warrior is one of a tall and lean man clutching a spear in one hand with his red cloth wrapped around his waist or over his shoulders. The life of the traditional Masai revolves entirely around their cattle. They believe God entrusted his cattle to them; consequently, their wealth is measured by the number of cattle they have acquired. As the young Masai boys reach the age of 15, they have their coming-of- age ceremony. This ceremony initiates them into manhood. They make headdresses of ostrich plumes and eagle feathers, shave their heads, are circumcised and become Morani or young warriors. With others of the same age, they then color their skin red and braid their ocher colored hair intricately and set off together to learn survival techniques. Traditionally in order to pass into manhood, they were to hunt a lion with only a spear. However, the government of Kenya has made this practice illegal . The young Masai warriors live together in one boma or circle of huts until they have passed on to manhood (generally 5-7 years). Then they will marry (probably having a number of wives) and continually live together raising their families and tending their cattle. Basically people of like age live together in bomas. Therefore, the elderly will all be together, but will come to the younger bomas to help teach traditions and skills to their grandchildren. The elderly are responsible for organizing and leading the celebrations and ceremonies.

village teacher

Ol Seki is sited in Eastern Koiyaki, north of the Mara and provides a rare opportunity to enjoy wildlife viewing, in a pristine setting. This oasis of inspired and beautifully designed tents is nestled amongst Cordia and Acacia trees attracting an abundance of wildlife and birds, many of which are seen from the tents in the valley below. Indulge yourself in luxury – live and breathe this space that is Africa! There are six tents to accommodate families with breathtaking views and all are designed to meet environmental demands and complemented by the minimal and fine decor of the comfortable library and dining tents. Elegant candle lit dinners, romantic dining for honeymooners, a resident masseuse – a delight for all senses! With privacy in mind, the ambience of the traditional mobile safari camp has been extended to heights never dreamed of in this peaceful and magical setting.

Things to do:

Game viewing in Landrovers and Landcruisers. Bush picnics and sun downers in the Maasai Mara Reserve. Optional balloon flights and/or fishing excursions to Lake Victoria.Visits to the local and unspoilt enkangs or villages. Scenic walks on the nearby plains and Bardamat Hills. Visits to an ancient Ndorobo cave below the camp. Visits to the newly established Koiyaki Guiding School.

Location: Eastern Koiyaki, Kenya. When to go: From July to November and December to March. Avoid April, May, June, November as it is closed.

Considered by many as the finest villas on the East African Coast of Kenya, Alfajiri Villas overlook the Indian Ocean and their elevated positions ensure privacy and stunning views. In these African style villas the theme is high Makuti roofs, ivory Danish floors, wooden beams, Lamu doors and impressive African and Far Eastern Artefacts. Most of the furniture is made on the property in the villa’s workshop. The gardens are meticulously maintained and include many palms from the villa’s nursery. Large verandas with huge hand carved sofas dominate the front of the villas where a stretch swimming pool sits on the edge of a small cliff merging into the sea and the horizon. The Garden and Beach Villa share a swimming pool and bar.

An 18-hole championship golf course is ideally located less than two minutes away from Alfajiri Cliff Villa. Home to the Diani Beach Masters, this is recognized as one of the most exciting golf courses in East Africa. Other activities feature snorkeling, wind surfing, massage, yoga and your own vehicle with driver, available for the Diani area. Tennis, squash and a health club are also available nearby.

There are 3 villas, owned and hosted by Fabrizio Molinaro and his wife Marika, from time to time, when free from schooling, also their daughters, Giulia and Sofia live at Alfajiri. After completing medical school in Italy, Fabrizio has spent the last 23 years in Kenya in the safari business and travelling the world for artefacts for the Villas. Location: Kenya Mombasa Beaches.

When Shompole opened in 2001, its coolly stylish interiors – free-flowering white concrete, rough-hewn figwood, smooth, round river stones and plunge pools under thatch-sent shivers up the spines of regular safari goers. Yet the hotel, which clings to southern Kenya‘s Nguruman escapement views over the Rift Valley, is also here to benefit the wildlife and local Maasai people.

Since the conservancy was established, the number of lions on the previously overgrazed, overpoached land has increased tenfold, and elephants have come back down from the Lolita Hills – exhilarating night drives also reveal glimpses of civets, beat-eared foxes, and aardwolves. Game drives are a big part of a stay there, as is watching flamingos on Lake Natron. 

The community has also used its conservation fee to pay for rangers, teachers, nurses, and secondary school bursaries, and helped to build and run the six-bedroom lodge. This has evolved to include a two-suite annex with a long thin lap pool (Little Shompole), an intimate, family house with lawns and fountains (Shompole House), and another private unit, 360, practically tumbling down the escarpment , with a dumbbell-shaped pool and a helipad for flying to Ol Donyo Lengai, an active volcano across the Tanzanian border. There is also a shop selling unique pieces of African jewelry and a modest spa, which offers treatments incorporating the muds of lake Natron. 

Even without leaving the lodge, guests can enjoy the astonishing sunsets over Shompole Mounatain, and a feeling of utter peace. 

Photos by: Furyk

Small and exclusive hotel, The Giraffe Manor is located just 8 minutes from Kenya’s capital city –Nairobi. This is the best option for those looking for something different – is the only place in the world that you can feed giraffe from your second floor bedroom window. Don’t be surprised if you are reading a book or drinking coffee and you turn around to be eye to eye with a real giraffe.

Surrounded by the 140 acres of uniquely untouched wild-private forest, The Giraffe Manor offers a rich blend of welcoming accommodation and one of Nairobi’s finest cuisines. The rooms are pretty designed into Kenyan colonial style with original paintings and pictures adorn the walls.
 

You can to enjoy photographing giraffe over the breakfast table and at the front door or visits nearly Golf courses. Also Nairobi is home to a number of museums, markets, art galleries and wildlife centers. Prices – at $360 per person per night.