Segera Retreat | Best Kenya Safari Lodges

The place

I cast my eyes around the more than 20,000ha of preserved land around me – African savannah interspersed with grassland and open woodland – before noticing an oasis of green ahead. Segera Retreat nestles in the bush like a diamond amid precious stones: eight villas surrounded by a lush botanical garden dotted with African sculptures. Just north of the equator, this luxury Kenyan safari lodge is on the Laikipia Plateau, with colossal Mount Kenya to the east and the sprawling Great Rift Valley to the west. As we approach in our game vehicle, I realise that Segera is like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

The room

I recline on a swing bed on our private deck, soaking up the African sun. Segera Retreat is an incredible place to arrive to after a long journey. Our spacious two-story private villa is made of thatch and timber, and set on an elevated platform, securing panoramic views. Our bedroom, with its high-ceilinged timber tresses, is upstairs, so we can even see them from bed! Earlier, I perused the varied artworks decorating our villa’s walls, all part of owner Jochen Zeitz’s private collection. The silence of the day is punctuated by the footsteps of my partner coming to call me to explore the botanical garden, an art gallery in itself. We meander among massive bronze, steel and stone sculptures, showpieces from artists across the continent. The retreat is fenced in with cacti, a bit like a traditional African homestead, although it’s anything but traditional – which is clear from the tall wine tower, stocked with wines from around the world; the very plane used in the film Out of Africa (which guests can charter); and the elegant dining hall, once horse stables. Orientated, we decide to spend the afternoon relaxing at the salt-water swimming pool.

I recline on a swing bed on our private deck, soaking up the African sun. Segera Retreat is an incredible place to arrive to after a long journey. Our spacious two-story private villa is made of thatch and timber, and set on an elevated platform, securing panoramic views. Our bedroom, with its high-ceilinged timber tresses, is upstairs, so we can even see them from bed! Earlier, I perused the varied artworks decorating our villa’s walls, all part of owner Jochen Zeitz’s private collection.

The silence of the day is punctuated by the footsteps of my partner coming to call me to explore the botanical garden, an art gallery in itself. We meander among massive bronze, steel and stone sculptures, showpieces from artists across the continent. The retreat is fenced in with cacti, a bit like a traditional African homestead, although it’s anything but traditional – which is clear from the tall wine tower, stocked with wines from around the world; the very plane used in the film Out of Africa (which guests can charter); and the elegant dining hall, once horse stables. Orientated, we decide to spend the afternoon relaxing at the salt-water swimming pool.

What sets it apart

Segera Retreat is truly an ode to art, to beauty and to Africa itself. Apart from the sculptures, I loved the collection of letters and diaries penned by Karen Blixen, Ernest Hemingway and David Livingstone. Even the food was a creative affair, made with organic ingredients sourced from Segera Retreat’s own fruit, vegetable and herb gardens or from neighbouring farms. I also appreciated the lodge’s commitment to sustainability: rainwater is harvested and solar power is utilised, and a vital conservation corridor between western and eastern Laikipia has been established, enabling wildlife to move freely. And on a community visit we discovered that lodge staff have taught the local community about rotational grazing, which allows quicker recovery of the grass the wildlife needs to survive. I must mention our villa’s private Jacuzzi, which we indulged in every day of our stay, and how exciting it was to sleep out on the swing bed at night, with just a mosquito net between us and the African night.

Segera Retreat is truly an ode to art, to beauty and to Africa itself. Apart from the sculptures, I loved the collection of letters and diaries penned by Karen Blixen, Ernest Hemingway and David Livingstone. Even the food was a creative affair, made with organic ingredients sourced from Segera Retreat’s own fruit, vegetable and herb gardens or from neighbouring farms.

I also appreciated the lodge’s commitment to sustainability: rainwater is harvested and solar power is utilised, and a vital conservation corridor between western and eastern Laikipia has been established, enabling wildlife to move freely. And on a community visit we discovered that lodge staff have taught the local community about rotational grazing, which allows quicker recovery of the grass the wildlife needs to survive.

I must mention our villa’s private Jacuzzi, which we indulged in every day of our stay, and how exciting it was to sleep out on the swing bed at night, with just a mosquito net between us and the African night.

At a glance

Exclusive safari camp with eight luxury villas: six standard villas (with Jacuzzis and swing beds), Segera House (with private garden and salt-water pool) and Villa Segera (with private garden, salt-water pool and sunken wildlife hide). Guest area includes gym, spa and salt-water pool.
Private concession, private vehicles (included at Segera House and Villa Segera, additional cost for Standard Villas), private dining in Segera House and Villa Segera and flexible schedules.
Game drives, night drives, walking safaris, camel riding, bush picnics and sundowners, helicopter excursions (additional cost), fixed-wing day trips (additional cost), spa treatments (additional cost), cultural visits, art tour, garden tour, sleep outs, yoga and gym.
Children welcome. Family villa, kids’ programme and child-friendly meals available.

Exclusive safari camp with eight luxury villas: six standard villas (with Jacuzzis and swing beds), Segera House (with private garden and salt-water pool) and Villa Segera (with private garden, salt-water pool and sunken wildlife hide). Guest area includes gym, spa and salt-water pool.
Private concession, private vehicles (included at Segera House and Villa Segera, additional cost for Standard Villas), private dining in Segera House and Villa Segera and flexible schedules.
Game drives, night drives, walking safaris, camel riding, bush picnics and sundowners, helicopter excursions (additional cost), fixed-wing day trips (additional cost), spa treatments (additional cost), cultural visits, art tour, garden tour, sleep outs, yoga and gym.
Children welcome. Family villa, kids’ programme and child-friendly meals available.

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.