Kichwa
Tembo Bateleur Camp
Masai Mara
Set in the heart of a private concession in Kenya's famed Masai Mara, Kichwa
Tembo's new Bateleur Camp offers panoramic views of the Great Migration.
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Bateleur Camp is the epitome
of safari style. Surrounded by verdant forests at the foot of a hill, the
camp's nine luxury tents are furnished with fine antiques, and stylish rugs
over polished wooden floors. Sleep on crisp linens, in a four poster bed.
The best in Pan-African cuisine is savored under the stars. Round off the
evening with a brandy as you recline on a leather sofa and listen to the
sound of the African night. Your personal butler is there to cater to your
every need.
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Campi ya Kanzi
Chyulu Hills
The Maasai are the landlords at this inspirational lodge that embodies all the best aspects of ecotourism while providing one of the most memorable safari experiences available. Nestled in the Chyulu Hills, which Hemingway made famous, this unique project is the vision of Italian husband and wife team Luca Belpietro and Anotella Bonomi, whose goal was to build a partnership with the local Maasai as a way to protect their cultural heritage and local wildlife. Set on 260,000 acres but hosting only 16 guests at a time, Campi ya Kanzi is located in one of the most unspoiled areas of Africa. While the privacy of the lodge is a compelling reason to visit, it is the local Maasai guides, who offer companionship and an introduction to their home, that make the experience at Campi ya Kanzi so unforgettable.
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Governors' Il Moran Camp
Masai Mara
Ten tents line the banks of the Mara River in the heart of the Masai Mara Game Reserve at Il Moran, the smallest and most intimate camp among the eight properties in the Governors' Camp Collection. At Il Moran, king-size bed frames are constructed from the gnarled wood of ancient olive trees, bathrooms feature deep Victorian baths, and each tent has a private verandah for enjoying the riverside views. In addition to three daily gameviewing excursions, guests can go on game walks, visit a nearby Maasai village or local school (donation suggested), or arrange balloon rides and a light aircraft to Lake Victoria for an additional cost. Il Moran delights in arranging surprises like a champagne bush breakfast, just one example of the many thoughtful "extras" that make a visit to Il Moran so special.
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Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp
Masai Mara
Cottar's is a family operation dating back to 1920 and, indeed, its style is a conscious homage to the romantic grandeur of old safari traditions. The camp is located in an exclusive concession between the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Loliondo concessions, a private area without the crowds that discourage some visitors to the Mara. A maximum of twelve guests can be accommodated at one time, resulting in a truly intimate feel at the camp. White canvas tents are luxuriously outfitted with modern conveniences as well as safari antiques - even game drives can be conducted in a modern vehicle or an authentic vintage wooden car! Because the camp is on a private concession, guided walks and night drives through the grassy open savannah are not only allowed but encouraged. The joy of this camp lies in its romantic tribute to the bygone days of safari style as well as the rich history that the Cottar's family has in Kenya.
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House
of Waine
Nairobi
Located in the leafy Nairobi suburb of Karen, House of Waine has the appearance
of an elegant country manor even though it is quite near the bustle of the
city. Each of the 11 bedrooms at House of Waine is individually styled along
a theme: features include canopy beds, deep claw-foot bathtubs, and sumptuous
fabrics. A set menu rotates daily and allows each guest two options for
each course; meals are served in a variety of settings, including the pool
pavilion, lounge, terraces, or garden. A heated swimming pool is on the
property's grounds, and two bars are reserved for the exclusive use of guests.
House of Waine is a perfect choice for those that wish to experience Nairobi
from a comfortable (and serene) distance.
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Elsa's
Kopje
Meru National Park
Located in northeastern Kenya, Elsa's Kopje served as the setting
for the movie Born Free and, in fact, the lodge was named after the proud,
titular lioness of the film. "Kopje" means small hill, and the
lodge is so discreetly tucked into Mughwango Hill that it is nearly invisible
to the eye. Once noticed, though, the lodge is impossible to ignore -- 9
individual cottages and the more spacious Private House (perfect for families)
are decorated in a sumptuous African style with traditional safari touches.
The impressive range of wildlife is as varied as you'll find anywhere in
Africa. In addition to game drives and walks with the ranger, Elsa's Kopje
offers picnics at the Tana River, fishing, and visits to the Tharaka tribal
village.
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Kiwayu Safari Village
Lamu
Few places in the world can match the seclusion and natural beauty of this Robinson Crusoe-like resort, nestled on 50 kilometers of deserted white sand beach overlooking an aquamarine lagoon. Praised for its simplicity and comfort, accommodation consists of 18 bandas (cottages) spread along the sandy shoreline, with Swahili-style décor, thatched roofs, woven matted floors, en suite bathrooms, and large verandahs with hammocks. The open-air main dining room and bar area overlook the beach and cuisine is made fresh daily and specializes in seafood and locally grown produce. Activities at the resort include world-class game fishing, watersports, bird watching and walking in the dunes and Dodori Game Reserve. For those who want the luxury of having nobody around or the option of a day of adventure, Kiwayu Safari Lodge is where you want to be!
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Alfajiri Villas
Diani Beach
The three ultra-exclusive villas (Cliff, Garden, and Beach) known collectively
as the Alfajiri Villas are considered the finest accommodation on Kenya's
Indian Ocean coast. The interiors of the two- and four-bedroom villas are
designed with African artifacts, large windows, ivory floors and exposed
wooden beams. With its floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the romantic Turret
Suite in the Cliff Villa has a 270-degree view of the sea, as well as a
private pool perched on the edge of a cliff. All three villas feature private
verandas with plush hand-carved sofas surrounded by green gardens and magnificent
ocean views. Guests feast on fresh local seafood flown in daily and prepared
by the chef and served in the privacy of their own dining room. Massages
and reflexology are included as part of the experience. Quite simply, Alfajiri
Villas is the absolute height of luxury.
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Tortilis
Camp
Amboseli National Game Reserve
A member of the well-respected Classic Safari Camps of Africa, Tortilis
Camp has won worldwide acclaim for its unique blend of sophistication with
conservation. Your private verandah offers stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Set into a hillside, shaded by thorn trees, with sweeping views of the plains
and the mountain, Tortilis is a sublime safari base. Dinners feature some
of the finest Italian cuisine in all of Africa. Activities include game
drives, guided walks, visiting nearby Maasai villages, or lazing by the
pool.
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Ngong House
Nairobi
Situated in Nairobi, the Ngong House is a former hunter's home located on 10 acres of private land. Since its purchase, it has been transformed into a luxurious boutique safari lodge featuring six elevated "tree houses," a private cottage, a log cabin, as well as a private suite in the main house. Far from its past as a hunter's residence, today's Ngong House offers excursions to an elephant and rhino orphanage, a giraffe sanctuary-where guests can enjoy feeding endangered Rothschild giraffes, and trips to several prominent Kenyan museums and national parks. During its transformation, the lodge kept its rugged charm with a rustic wooden construction (complete with modern en-suite amenities of course!) and a decor that harks back to the adventurous spirit of early twentieth century African expeditions. The refined service and accommodations are well suited for the most curious travellers making the Ngong House the most unique property in Nairobi.
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