Kenya is the original safari destination, and as such there is a fantastic array of lodges catering for every type of traveller, and every budget. Starting from the bottom are the “drive in” cheaper safari lodges. We generally only work with the “fly in” camps, as we believe these offer a much higher quality safari experience. If you visit a “fly in” camp, you use the vehicles and guides from the lodges, and as such your guide is a real expert in the area and is primarily a guide, and only secondly a driver. When people do “driving tours” their guide is usually primarily a “driver” and will not know the specific areas you will be exploring. Also, we believe it is important to get to a destination quickly, so you can enjoy it fully, without having most of your trip being focussed on getting from A -B which can minimise your time at sightings.
Kenya lodges can be separated into a few categories. Across the board Kenya lodges are fairly classic and old school in their style, with an “out of Africa” atmosphere to them all. So you don’t get modern and luxurious, as you do in say Tanzania. Most of the camps in the Masai Mara tend to be tented, replicating the style of safari when it all began. You then get the more rustic yet permanent lodges in the Laikipia area. Then at the top end of luxury in Kenya, you get the authentic brick style permanent lodges, which offer an exceptional and unbeatable experience, if this is your style! It is not a country for the latest cutting edge architecture and all the mod cons, but it is brilliant at taking you back in time to where it all began.
The most basic of the “fly in” lodges are not really that basic, but more a glamping experience with big solid beds, en-suite “safari showers” and all in all, a very comfortable experience. This style of camp is typical for East Africa, and is particularly popular in Tanzania’s Serengeti, as the camps up sticks every few months to follow the Great Migration’s path around the Serengeti. In both Kenya and Tanzania these can get exceptionally luxurious, so there is a huge range of prices for this style of lodging.
The brilliant thing about Kenya is that it is quite a bit cheaper than the slightly more exclusive Serengeti. It has largely based itself on a high volume approach to tourism, which means the rates for even some exceptional lodges is relatively low. Starting at the bottom end of the tented camps is the unbelievable Kichwa Tembo which is only $450 per person per night in a standard tent. Then, you get the more luxurious tented options such as Mara Plains at $1,900 per person per night… Showing you don’t have to be in a permanent structure to get all the luxury in the world!
In the Laikipia region, which is made of of “ranches” of sorts, and offer a huge amount of activities because of their private concessions, there are a number of old school permanent safari lodges. Places like Borana have not changed much over the years – perfectly comfortable, rustic yet luxurious in their own charming way, to stay somewhere like this you would be looking at $700 per person per night… Bargain! Especially when you consider riding safaris are also included in the cost. Moving up a notch is the smarter barefoot-luxury option such as Ol Donyo in the Chyulu Hills at around $1,360 per person per night, and up again to the most luxurious options Kenya has to offer is the likes of Angama Mara which is $1,250 per person per night.
The best tented camps in Kenya
The most basic of the “fly in” lodges are not really that basic, but more a glamping experience with big solid beds, en-suite “safari showers” and all in all, a very comfortable experience. This style of camp is typical for East Africa, and is particularly popular in Tanzania’s Serengeti, as the camps up sticks every few months to follow the Great Migration’s path around the Serengeti. In both Kenya and Tanzania these can get exceptionally luxurious, so there is a huge range of prices for this style of lodging.
The brilliant thing about Kenya is that it is quite a bit cheaper than the slightly more exclusive Serengeti. It has largely based itself on a high volume approach to tourism, which means the rates for even some exceptional lodges is relatively low. Starting at the bottom end of the tented camps is the unbelievable Kichwa Tembo which is only $450 per person per night in a standard tent. Then, you get the more luxurious tented options such as Mara Plains at $1,900 per person per night… Showing you don’t have to be in a permanent structure to get all the luxury in the world!
The best permanent lodges in Kenya
In the Laikipia region, which is made of of “ranches” of sorts, and offer a huge amount of activities because of their private concessions, there are a number of old school permanent safari lodges. Places like Borana have not changed much over the years – perfectly comfortable, rustic yet luxurious in their own charming way, to stay somewhere like this you would be looking at $700 per person per night… Bargain! Especially when you consider riding safaris are also included in the cost. Moving up a notch is the smarter barefoot-luxury option such as Ol Donyo in the Chyulu Hills at around $1,360 per person per night, and up again to the most luxurious options Kenya has to offer is the likes of Angama Mara which is $1,250 per person per night.
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Governors Camp - Masai Mara Reserve
Governors, what can I say. I loved it there. Service was excellent and I loved the hot water bottles in my bed at night. So many animals and our guides were amazing. We so enjoyed the balloon ride and have excellent pictures. - J Cole
Client Rating:
Cost: $710
Governors Private Camp - Masai Mara Reserve
Our View
Governors Private Camp is a very niche product and so one that we occasionally recommend for clients. The main feature of the camp is that, for a group of 4 or more who are looking for a smaller camp in the Mara, it suits perfectly. Consisting of 6 or more tents, the camp offers a private experience throughout with views out onto the lovely Mara River, exclusive use of the vehicles and guides in camp and access to what must be one of the best areas for game in the whole of Africa….what more can you ask for!Cost: $702
Hemmingways - Indian Ocean Mainland
Our View
This hotel is a very good choice for those with a family or couples who like to be active while on holiday. Being relatively small compared to the goliaths around Mombasa, this hotel has really cornered the resort style hotel market and is also a must visit spot for the big game fishermen between August and April. All in all, it may not be quite suited to the quieter tastes of honeymooners, but the food and the surroundings certainly make it stand out.Cost: $375
House of Waine - Nairobi
Our View
There are quite a few hotels that are located in the Karen district of Nairobi and this is certainly the best of them…both from a price point of view but also for the fact that it has a personal feel. Where quite a few of the hotels in and around Nairobi have a faceless rapport with their clientele, the House of Waine can easily be recommended for a couple of nights, used as a basing point to visit the nearby Giraffe Centre or Blixen Museum.Cost: $220
Il Moran Camp - Masai Mara Reserve
Our View
Il Moran is the smartest of the Governors’ Collection and, for the money, offers a superb safari experience for very good value. The rooms themselves are vast and all feature incredible views onto the Mara River. Stunning wooden beds and bronze baths typify the feel of the camp in general. Again, set in a superb location, the camp is very real, and a much cheaper alternative to the nearby Bateleur Camp. If you want to safari in style, then this is a great choice.Cost: $876
Joys - Samburu
Really lovely camp, enjoyed the lack of people and sense of isolation. Reminded us a little of camps in Namibia. Had great leopard sightings, including a kill, but just generally really enjoyed the camp. It was really beautiful, camp was gorgeous, facilities excellent.
- S. Goatley
- S. Goatley
Client Rating:
Cost: $564
Kicheche Mara - Greater Mara
Our View
Cost: $745
Kicheche Valley | The Greater Mara - Greater Mara
Our View
Situated in the heart of the Naboisho Conservancy, Kicheche Valley offers one of the best value, luxury tented camp experiences in the Greater Mara. With excellent game viewing, including some of the highest lion densities in the Greater Mara eco-system, this small and intimate camp offers great hospitality, service and excellent guiding. Overall, a trip to Kicheche gives you the recipe for an unforgettable and enthralling safari.Cost: $745
Kichwa Tembo - Greater Mara
Our View
Cost: $530
Kinondo Kwetu - Indian Ocean Mainland
Our View
Located on the quiet beach at Galu, Kinondo Kwetu is ideally located on the southern coastline of Kenya. The concept behind the lodge is one of tradition meets seclusion, and it is also one of the most versatile of the beach lodges on this coastline with family rooms and suites offered. A stunning little lodge that offers something a bit different with the spa, horse riding and nearby ruins in a relaxed and beautiful location.Cost: $550
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your budget and travel dates, and your money is protected
by our ATOL bond.