Kenya

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Kenya Lodging

Here is some info about some of the places we use on the tours

The Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi

When The Norfolk Hotel first opened in Nairobi on Christmas Day 1904, the Savoy Hotel in London was 5 years old and the London Ritz was still a year away. No other hotel in Kenya captures as much of Nairobi's splendid past and exciting present, and few hotels anywhere can claim a more romantic history. Adventurous visitors such as 26th American President Theodore Roosevelt, Lord Baden-Powell, the Earl of Warwick, Lord and Lady Cranworth, and the Baron and Baroness von Blixen, of the "Out of Africa" fame have all been part of the Hotel’s history.

In 1998/99 the Reception, public areas, function rooms and restaurants were renovated, and the new Acacia Wing with 44 deluxe guest rooms and suites was built. Today, the Hotel boasts 167 luxurious guest rooms, an outdoor heated swimming pool, a fully equipped health club, a ballroom, four function rooms, elegant public areas and the choice of four dining venues.

Samburu Intrepids

Samburu Intrepids is renowned as a pioneer of luxury camping in one of the world's last truly great wilderness areas. Situated on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River in the arid heart of Samburu National Reserve, Samburu Intrepids looks out over riverbanks where herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra come daily to drink - together with the rarer 'northern species' of reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx and long-necked gerenuk antelope. Samburu Intrepids will show you this dramatic wilderness from a world of fascinating perspectives: through stirring early morning game drives, walking safaris with skilled Samburu guides, sedate camel rides, and raft trips when the river is high. Our acclaimed Adventurers' Club offers a uniquely educational safari for children of all ages, under the expert guidance of Kenya's most famous Samburu guide, Tom Lesarge.

Accommodation
27 luxurious tents overlooking the riverbanks, Large four-poster beds and classic safari furniture, Modern en suite bathrooms with steaming showers, Secluded verandahs with all-day bar service.

Facilities
Breezy thatched dining areas overlooking the river, Lounge and bar with nightly talks and slide shows, Freeform 'oasis' swimming pool and sunbathing garden
Boutique with souvenirs and safari essentials, Reliable telephone, e-mail, fax and postal services, Professional flex body therapy for half- or one-hour.

Activities
Twice-daily game drives with resident guides, Camel and walking safaris outside the reserve, Seasonal rafting trips on the Uaso Nyiro River, Bush breakfasts, sundowners and starlit dinners, Tours of Samburu villages and 'bush secrets'
Traditional dances by local warriors and maidens, Lectures and slide shows on culture and wildlife

Crater Lake Camp

This 11 tents camp is set on the shores of the green Crater Lake, one of the smallest lakes of the Rift Valley. At the camp, the wild world of Africa meets the refined elegance of the colonial era in an utterly enchanting location. Here, you can sip chilled champagne and dine on the finest Cordon Bleu cuisine under the watchful gaze of Genet Cats and Colobus Monkeys. This is the heart of what the Kenyan settlers called “The Happy Valley", that lush oasis where the early European farmers forged their first links with the African soil. Today, the fine living of that elegant era has been recreated in this luxurious tented camp.

Each tent is furnished with a giant four-poster bed, the finest furniture and an ensuite bathroom with piping hot shower. The new “honeymoon tent” offers a sumptuous bedroom and a deep sunken bath looking over the lake through a giant stained-glass window.

With its spectacular setting, pitch-perfect peace and very personal service, Crater Lake is richly deserving of its reputation as "Kenya's most romantic tented camp". In fact, we challenge any visiting couple not to fall in love all over again.

Aberdare Country Club

The Club was originally the private residence of a wealthy English family. It is situated on 1,300 acres of now electrically fenced private game sanctuary that is home to several species of plains game such as eland, waterbuck, giraffe, zebra, impala, ostrich, warthog, bush pig and two leopards. The Aberdare Country Club is a haven of unhurried charm, set in gardens bursting with the profuse colour of over one hundred species of flowers. Tables are scattered, and the numerous birdbaths dotting the grounds are visited by many different varieties of birds

The Ark

Opened in November 1969, The Ark overlooks the Yasabara waterhole, perhaps the largest salt-lick in the Aberdare Mountains and the haunt of a variety of forest game unequalled in Africa. This tree-lodge is uniquely shaped to resemble the actual Ark, designed with decks from which numerous balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for viewing the animals visiting the salt-lick and waterhole. A ground-level bunker provides excellent photographic opportunities, and the Yasabara waterhole is floodlit by night to enable all-night viewing of game. A "Resident Hunter" is always on hand to explain on the wildlife and landscape. Access to vehicles is limited to conserve and protect the environment which hosts wildlife such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, bush bucks, giant forest hogs, Sykes monkey, leopard, and bongo. After lunch at The Aberdare Country Club guests take a 45-minute game drive within the National Park arriving at The Ark in time for afternoon tea.

Severin Safari Camp

20 tents ( luxury "octagonal" tents, all with running hot and cold water, en-suite bathrooms with showers/toilet, bidet, comfortable beds with duvets, and mosquito nets) with a panoramic view over the game-rich plains lying beneath the lush Chyulu Hills and snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro. Severin Safari Camp provides an unequalled experience of life in the wilds. In these magnificent surroundings, you’ll find a perfect blend of world-class Swiss hospitality and nature at its best. The main building, which overlooks the lit up water hole, consists of the reception with international telephone facility, "Safari Boutique", the "Out of Africa Restaurant" with lounge and "Thorn Tree bar". The evening campfire creates the Out of Africa touch for that "away from it all feeling." Fresh water is supplied from the nearby natural spring and two "synchronized" generators supply power.

Tortilis Camp

The Tortilis Camp won the British Airways regional award for eco-tourism and has earned an international reputation for its commitment to the environment with its rustic simplicity, unobtrusive design and attention to comfort without compromising the ecosystem. It only counts 17 luxurious tents. The emphasis here is on high quality service and comfort. Each tent leads from a bedroom with expansive king-size or generous twin beds, through a dressing area into modern bathrooms with pressured hot showers and flush toilets. Each tent is raised up on a wooden deck and sheltered by a makuti (thatched) roof overhanging a large verandah, ideal for an early afternoon siesta… Top in Africa for Service - 2003 Conde Nast Traveller Gold Awards

Fig Tree Camp

This camp is located on the banks of the Talek River at the northern border of the game reserve and is away from other hotels. The luxurious tents, all en-suite and with a private balcony, are spaciously lined up along the Talek River. The camp has several facilities and services to ensure you have a comfortable stay. These include two bars, a main dining room, an open-air dinning area and tree house coffee deck. Also available is a video room, guest lecture facilities, swimming pool and curio shop. A fleet of four-wheel drive vehicles with expert drivers is available at the camp. The camp has a resident nurse and medical clinic. Power is supplied by generator from 4.00am to 9.00am, 12.00pm to 3.00pm, and from 6.00pm to 12.00am.

Lake Elementaita Lodge

Lake Elementaita was built by English settler Lord Gaibraith Cole. It retains the features of early colonial homes a red brick building with shady terraces, an internal courtyard, paneled walls and a sitting rooms with a library and log files. The original building houses the dining and living rooms, bar and conference rooms. The new 33 twin and double rooms with ensuite bathrooms are nestled away in the lush flower garden behind the house.In the front of the hotel, a large terrace over looks Lake Elementaita. Lake Elementaita has been profiled as a Ramsar Site, a wetland of international importance and is home to millions of Lesser Flamingos, and also important as a stopover for over 350 bird species (recorded by the lodges two resident naturalists).