Kenya is a true safari hotspot, peppered with impressive lodges in idyllic locales. So where to stay when visiting the country? We’ve put them under a magnifying glass and come up with this list of our top-10 safari lodges in Kenya. Enjoy.
Cottar’s 1920s Camp | Masai Mara
Do you ever wish you were an explorer, the likes of Richard Francis Burton or Mary Kingsley, or simply yearn for the glamour of the 1920s? Step back in time at Cottar’s 1920s Camp, a spacious luxury safari camp in a quiet section of the Masai Mara where the golden age of exploration meets modern-day adventure safaris. Go fishing, walking or hot-air ballooning before enjoying an outdoor bath and sundowners and dinner in the bush. In style, naturally. Continue exploring…
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The honeymoon suite at Cottar’s 1920s Camp is tucked away in a quiet corner, allowing for maximum privacy. © Cottar’s 1920s Camp -
Imagine seeing a coalition of cheetah from a vintage safari vehicle. It’s possible when staying at Cottar’s 1920s Camp. © Cottar’s 1920s Camp
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The guest tents at Cottar’s 1920s Camp are elegantly understated, offering calm comfort. © Cottar’s 1920s Camp
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Cool off after a hot game drive with a dip in the inviting pool – and a martini – at Cottar’s 1920s Camp. © Cottar’s 1920s Camp
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If you take a family bush bath at Cottar’s 1920s Camp you might attract some curious spectators, like this giraffe. © Cottar’s 1920s Camp
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Big cat prints will remind you that you’re very much in the wilderness when you go on walking safaris in the Masai Mara. © Cottar’s 1920s Camp
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This large guest area at Cottar’s 1920s Camp is complete with comfortable couches, beautifully set tables and a sociable bar. © Cottar’s 1920s Camp
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Dine in the bush at Cottar's Bush Villa. © Cottar's 1920 Camp
Saruni Samburu | Samburu
Be the king or queen of the mountain at this luxury lodge, perched on a rocky outcrop in northern Kenya’s Samburu. It makes our top-10 safari lodges in Kenya for many reasons, not least of all because of its glorious 360-degree views that encompass some 8,000ha of pristine wilderness and stretch out to Mount Kenya. Its six villas are open-fronted, allowing you to enjoy the astonishing vista while royally lazing around. You can even gaze at the horizon from your bathtub! Continue exploring…
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Your family villa at Saruni Samburu blends beautifully into the surrounding landscape. © Saruni
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You can learn all about the Samburu people during Saruni Samburu’s Warriors Academy. © Saruni
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Those with a passion for clouds will be in heaven in Kenya's wet months. © Saruni Samburu
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Grévy's zebra, and the rest of the Samburu Special Five, can be seen when staying in a family villa at Saruni Samburu. © Saruni
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The height of luxury: bathing while looking over the wilderness at Saruni Samburu. © Saruni
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Elephant are plentiful in the northern Kenya, and you’ll likely see them on your game drives from Saruni Samburu. © Saruni
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Saruni Samburu has two sparkling infinity pools. © Saruni
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Enjoy breathtaking views with your lunch at Saruni Samburu's family villas. © Saruni
Segera Retreat | Laikipia
Imagine being able to fly in the very same biplane used in Out of Africa. Well, at Segera Retreat you can! The place really is a treasure trove of artefacts, including rare explorer’s memorabilia – such as letters and diaries penned by Karen Blixen, Ernest Hemingway and David Livingstone – and an impressive sculpture garden. It’s a wonderful oasis in rugged Laikipia, which you can explore on game drives, walking safaris or even by camel. Continue exploring…
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Wildlife, like giraffe and zebra, can often be seen from camp at Segera Retreat.
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The game-drive guides at Segera Retreat are experienced drivers, and can tackle water with no problem. © Wilderness Safaris
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Segera Retreat offers wonderful wildlife sightings, like of this hyena with pups. © Wilderness Safaris
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This villa’s main bedroom at Segera Retreat leads out onto a balcony. © Wilderness Safaris
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The biplane’s registration, G-AAMY, honours record-setting English aviatrix Amy Johnson. © Segera Retreat / Wilderness Safaris
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The swimming pool at Segera Retreat is set in a lush garden. © Wilderness Safaris
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You’ll likely spot elephant on your game drives from Segera Retreat. © Wilderness Safaris
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Segera Retreat has both outdoor swing beds and bathtubs. © Wilderness Safaris
Bateleur Camp | Masai Mara
Bateleur Camp puts you at eye level with the Masai Mara – a superlative wilderness area brimming with wildlife. Sit on the deck of your luxury tented room, tucked away among the trees, and have your butler bring refreshments while you take it all in … or head out, and let your knowledgeable guide track down the Great Wildebeest Migration on a game drive (during season, of course). And don’t miss the opportunity to float above it all in a hot-air balloon. Continue exploring…
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A sumptuous outdoor breakfast at Bateleur Camp is served with a spectacular view over the Masai Mara. © &Beyond
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With views over the Masai Mara, you can watch wildlife right from your bed at Bateleur Camp. © &Beyond
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Catch up on some reading on these comfortable loungers at Bateleur Camp's swimming pool. © &Beyond
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A safari vehicle will follow your hot balloon, ready to meet you wherever you land in the Masai Mara. © &Beyond
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Sundowner drinks and snacks await guests at Bateleur Camp tented guest area, overlooking the Masai Mara. © &Beyond
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Guests take a break from their game drive with refreshments under a tree in the Masai Mara.
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A lantern-lit riverside bush dinner is one of the unforgettable experiences offered by Bateleur Camp in the Masai Mara. © &Beyond
Ol Donyo Lodge | Chyulu Hills
Ol Donyo makes our top-10 safari lodges in Kenya because it’s all about the slow safari, where you’re encouraged to gear down and unwind. And that’s not to say there’s nothing to do; quite the opposite in fact. While on safari in Chyulu Hills you can enjoy an array of activities, from horse safaris to watching game from a hide. Each of its 10 suites also have rooftop star beds, while some have private plunge pools. Continue exploring…
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Mount Kilimanjaro forms an iconic backdrop in the Chyulu Hills area. © Great Plains Conservation
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These horse riders in Kenya don't worry this mama giraffe about the safety of her calf. © Great Plains Conservation
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The large rooms at ol Donyo Lodge give you plenty of space to spread out. © Great Plains Conservation
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Sometimes it's nice to put your camera down and simply enjoy watching the wildlife in the log-pile hide in Chyulu Hills. © Great Plains Conservation
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Zebra don't seem to mind mountain bikers in Chyulu Hills. © Great Plains Conservation
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Stop for lunch in the bush while horse riding from ol Donyo Lodge. © Great Plains Conservation
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Each suite at ol Donyo Lodge has a rooftop star bed, where you can sleep under the night sky. © Great Plains Conservation
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Bush sundowners are done in style at ol Donyo Lodge. © Great Plains Conservation
Loisaba Star Beds | Laikipia
This one also made our list of 10 best romantic safari lodges in Africa, but you don’t only have to come here with bae, the kids will love it too. Each of the four thatched, semi-open rooms contain star beds, which roll out onto the deck. Nights are spent sleeping under starlight, with just your cosy duvet and a mosquito net between you and the elements. It’s both thrilling and seductive. Continue exploring…
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The beds at Loisaba Star Beds roll out onto the decks, so you sleep outdoors. © Elewana Collection
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A mosquito net will keep creepy-crawlies out of your bed at Loisaba Star Beds. © Elewana Collection
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Loisaba Star Beds is set in some 23,000ha of private wildlife conservancy. © Elewana Collection
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With a view like this, you might want to stay in bed all day at Loisaba Star Beds. © Elewana Collection
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You’ll be able to watch the Kiboko Waterhole while you have breakfast at Loisaba Star Beds. © Elewana Collection
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Have a shower with a view at Loisaba Star Beds. © Elewana Collection
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A cheerful fire keeps the guest-area lounge at Loisaba Star Beds warm and cosy. © Elewana Collection
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You’ll see the most spectacular sunrise right from your four-poster when staying at Loisaba Star Beds.
Ngare Serian | Masai Mara
Yes, Ngare Serian is also in the Masai Mara, but it’s tucked away in the Mara North Conservancy, making for even more exclusivity. You’ll catch your first glimpse of the four luxury tents as you cross a narrow swing bridge over the Mara River, and see them scattered along its shores. Best of all, the tents have bathtubs on their decks, so you can count hippo as you bathe. You can also spend a night in The Nest at Serian. Continue exploring…
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Seeing hippo is a certainty at Ngare Serian. © Alex Walker's Serian
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You'll sleep in style at Ngare Serian in gorgeous four-poster beds. © Alex Walker's Serian
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Look how these lion are watching the elephant in the Masai Mara. © Alex Walker's Serian
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Now this is true luxury: a bath with a river view at Ngare Serian. © Ngare Serian
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Swap stories with other guests over lunch at Ngare Serian. © Ngare Serian
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The staff at Ngare Serian are well practised in bringing luggage over the swing bridge. © Alex Walker's Serian
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Seeing the Masai Mara from a hot-air balloon is a must. © Alex Walker's Serian
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Catch up on some reading in a Masai Mara treehouse, away from all digital distractions. © Alex Walker's Serian
Elsa’s Kopje Meru | Meru
Fans of Elsa the lioness from Born Free will be delighted to know the lodge is named after the very same cat. Indeed, Elsa’s Kopje Meru is located on a small hill just above the site of the Adamson’s original camp, where they lived with her. Situated in Meru National Park in Kenya’s distant east, it’s divinely remote, making for a quiet escape. Here too, you can bathe on your verandah. Continue exploring…
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Kenya Safari Packages | Art of Safari
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The arid Meru National Park is punctuated by doum palm trees and frequented by herds of elephant, as you’ll see on your game drives from Elsa’s Kopje Meru. © Elewana Collection
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The bush breakfasts at Elsa’s Kopje Meru are the real deal, set in the long grass of the Meru National Park savannah. © Elewana Collection
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Negotiating water is all part of the fun when on game drives in Meru National Park. © Elewana Collection
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The honeymon suite at Elsa’s Kopje Meru has the most romantic outdoor bath for two. © Elewana Collection
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Children are welcome at Elsa’s Kopje Meru; when they’re not with you, there are children’s activities to entertain them. © Elewana Collection
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Bush sundowners are a must when staying at Elsa’s Kopje in Meru National Park. © Elewana Collection
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Sasaab | Samburu
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up in Morocco when checking in to this lodge, one of our favourites among our top-10 safari lodges in Kenya. Well, that’s without looking too closely at the landscape anyway, which is decidedly Samburu. Imagine ornate arches, open-sided pavilions and high-ceilinged roofs, mimicking the architecture of Africa’s north – sublime. Continue exploring…
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The ornate arches and open-sided pavilions of the Moroccan-style architecture at Sasaab help circulate air in the sultry African heat. © The Safari Collection
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When you’re on a game drive from Sasaab you can stop for a bush breakfast on your own private river island. © The Safari Collection
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Sasaab has a roomy family suite, with two bedrooms. © The Safari Collection
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Camel riding in northern Kenya is great fun for the whole family. © The Safari Collection
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Sasaab is a luxurious oasis in dry northern Kenya. © The Safari Collection
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You might witness lion rearing in Samburu National Reserve. © Sasaab Camp
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You’ll have your pick of accommodation in Kenya's off season. © Sasaab Camp
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At Sasaab you can dine on your private tented-room deck. © The Safari Collection
Angama Mara | Masai Mara
It’s hard to say whether Angama Mara’s most striking feature is its glass-fronted suites or the views they proffer, but luckily we don’t have to choose. Perched as they are on the edge of the Oloololo Escarpment, you’ll feel like you’re suspended in midair, with breathtaking imagery of passing hot-air balloons and tiny giraffe and elephant dwarfed by the distance … views which can also be enjoyed from the famed Out of Africa picnic spot. Continue exploring…
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Angama Mara is perched about 300m above Kenya's Great Rift Valley. © Angama Mara
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You'll see plenty of wildlife on your African-safari honeymoon. © Angama Mara
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Crossing the Mara River in a hot-air balloon is a thrilling experience. © Angama Mara
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A walking safari is one of the many pleasures of an African-safari honeymoon. © Angama Mara
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The elephant in Kenya are magnificent. © Angama Mara
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In Kenya you can enjoy a picnic at the very site that the famous Out of Africa scene was filmed. © Angama Mara
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