Best luxury lodges and camps in Kenya
The phrase “luxury safari” may conjure up thoughts of opulent comfort, traditional African lodges, exquisite Hemingway tents, and spacious wooden decks. When you combine that with the mesmerizing views of savannas and forests, as well as the distinctive orange, pink, and purple hues of an African sunset, you might be defining the pinnacle of a luxurious safari experience.
Renowned parks, conservancies, and game reserves across Kenya set the stage for amazing animal encounters and serene, lovely landscapes. These pave the way for an abundance of tasteful and sophisticated lodging options, allowing you to select just where you want to spend the night.
Choosing from a vast array of Kenyan luxury lodges and camps may require much thought as you assess the lodge’s setting, amenities, and atmosphere. The decor of these “art galleries in the bush” features traditional safari colors, Swahili-inspired designs, and luxurious details that offer intimacy in a peaceful open area surrounded by amazing animals. Gems situated in the Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Samburu, and Lake Nakuru are among our top choices for luxurious safari lodges.
Beyond Masai Mara and Kitchwa Tembo
Situated amidst the magnificent savanna and flanked by the spectacular Oloololo Escarpment, the impressive &Beyond Kitchwa Tembo offers a boutique safari hideaway. A true Kenyan welcome awaits you together with five-star comfort and an unparalleled view of the expansive Masai Mara.
Twelve Classic Tents, twenty Superior Tents, and eight Superior Viewing Tents make up the 40 exquisitely furnished tents. The main area is divided into two levels and has interactive kitchen serving locally-inspired cuisine, a rim-flow swimming pool, and a peaceful massage tent that provide an ideal setting for unwinding in the African bush.
Ideal for: A visit right in the path of the epic wildebeest migration.
Bushtops in Mara, Masai Mara
You know you have landed in a bush paradise as soon as you step out onto the modest deck of Mara Bustops, which is encircled by a small sparkling swimming pool with views over the expansive Masai Mara wildness. Savor delectable al fresco meals from a big deck and elegant dining area, complemented by a quiet wine cellar and private dining possibilities.
The 12 gorgeous, roomy safari tents are so welcoming that you’ll mostly want to spend your downtime between game drives lounging on the luxurious beds, in your own plunge pool, or on your own private terrace. Massages provided within the tent add a luxurious touch, and falling asleep to the sounds of the African night is a memorable experience.
Best For: Remaining in one of the most exclusive safari locations in Kenya
Masai Mara’s Fairmont Mara Safari Club
With a prime location at the base of the Aitong Hills in the northwest of the Masai Mara, this well-known brand positions itself perfectly in the luxury safari sector. At the Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Big Five style and service are combined with Big Five animals. Beautiful views from the main area and nighttime Maasai performance make this facility an excellent example of exceptional culture, food, and ambiance.
A standout feature of the hotel is its appealing pool and spa, which is complemented by 38 luxurious safari tents inspired by Maasai culture, some of which feature the renowned outdoor shower experience.
Best For: Magnificent views of the landscape and a perfect spot to discover the Masai Mara.
Masai Mara’s Mara Crossing Camp
The ultimate in “glamping” may be experienced by staying a few nights on safari at the Mara Crossing Camp, which is dotted along the renowned Mara River and features elegant, traditional safari tents. The camp, as its name suggests, is located in a prime area for observing animals, and it also enjoys the stunning surrounds of water, vegetation, and wildlife.
Here, exclusivity is crucial, and service standards are excellent throughout. A genuinely unforgettable safari experience is guaranteed for guests staying at Mara Crossing Camp, which features eight roomy canvas suites that give solitude and luxury.
Best For: A spot with excellent chances for seeing wildlife near the banks of the Mara River.
Camp Fig Tree, Masai Mara
Tucked away amidst vivid shrubs along a flowing curve in the Talek River, the Fig Tree Camp is perfectly situated for visitors to discover the amazing creatures that live in the Masai Mara and other conservancies.
A variety of riverfront tents and jungle-facing chalets allow visitors to relax amidst breathtaking scenery, while mosquito-netting-draped four-poster mattresses lend a caring touch to a traditional safari experience. The luxurious features of this well-loved facility are completed by amenities including a peaceful swimming pool, a small spa, and massage services. The service standards are excellent.
Greatest For: Hot-air balloon safaris and forest treks.
East Africa is known for its opulent and upscale hotels and camps, and Tortilis Camp, Amboseli Elewana, is undoubtedly one among those. Situated in a private reserve, just outside of Amboseli National Park in Kenya, the property offers amazing wilderness hikes, bush breakfasts, and sundowners to its visitors. Large Makuti-covered chambers with canvas walls include warm wooden floors that beckon the warmth of the Masai people within. The design is traditional African.
Best For: Magnificent vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Amboseli’s Kilima Safari Camp
The luxurious safari camp Kilima Safari Camp is a short distance from the Amboseli National Park’s Kimana Gate, providing exceptional amenities and service. Scattered throughout a narrow wilderness, the 72 tents offer a private safari luxury camping experience without being too far from the center.
The pool is exquisitely furnished, featuring an intriguing layout and amenities including massage and spa treatments. Kilma Safari Camp is very much focused on providing amazing wildlife experiences and game drives.
Ideal For: Living close to huge elephant populations.
Tsavo East’s Satao Camp
One of the most fascinating game reserves in East Africa is Tsavo East National Park, which offers exhilarating safaris across a vast area of dry pans. The opulent Satao Camp provides a chic and vibrant counterpoint to the striking natural surroundings. From the comfort of your own verandah, guests can observe animals coming to drink.
Because of the variety of species in the area, the Camp itself is regarded as an oasis. Twenty real en suite tents with roomy interiors and stunning African-inspired décor are ideally positioned among tamarind trees.
Best For: Its location near a sizable waterhole, which creates the ideal environment for amazing wildlife encounters
Hattons Fitch and Tsavo West
Situated in Tsavo West, one of Kenya’s most varied National Parks, Fitch Hattons offers an authentically traditional African luxury safari experience. situated amidst a terrain that includes peaks, sweeping plains, rocky outcrops, and natural springs.
With a focus on sustainability, the camp’s 17 luxurious tented suites—which include outdoor showers—are crafted to seamlessly combine indoor and outdoor experiences. Stunning views of an expansive terrain and natural springs abound.
Ideal For: A strong emphasis on sustainability.
Tsavo’s Soroi Lions Bluff
When you stay at the Soroi Lions Bluff, which is situated in the Lumo Conservancy close to Tsavo, you may enter a world of luxury, space, and exceptional wildlife encounters. A canvas of spectacular wildness towers over 12 cozy suites, an expanse that reverberates throughout the suites. There are many traditional East African accents throughout the opulent area.
Throughout the rooms, the hand-carved four-poster beds are the focal point. An attractive swimming pool at the main lodge is the ideal spot to unwind after a day of seeing animals.
Ideal For: Nighttime drives and photography.
Samburu’s Saruni Samburu Lodge
The accommodations at Saruni Samburu Lodge might look like something from a movie, with decks that extend from a lavish tented room into the surrounding savannah and a large bathtub that provides never-ending vistas of the plains.
The six individual rooms are exquisitely furnished with colors and decor inspired by the Masai culture. The cozy main lodge area offers eating experiences that elevate one’s appreciation of food to a whole new level.
Ideal For: Cultural immersion and eco-design in the vicinity of Samburu.
Lion Hill, Sarova, Lake Nakuru
Imagine waking up at the opulent Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge to the sight of pink flamingos frolicking on Lake Nakuru. During your visit, you can choose between 67 chalet-style rooms with panoramic views throughout and a private veranda, all of which offer exceptional five-star service.
The main lodge features an appealing swimming pool, an outdoor spa, and great food with African influences. A timeless safari favorite, this place combines nature and nurture.
Greatest For: The breathtaking vistas of Lake Nakuru.