Kenya Unveils New Luxury Product

The captivating country of Kenya, located on Africa’s eastern coast, offers travellers a vast array of unique activities and stunning sights. Travellers now have even more reasons to visit Kenya, with a variety of high-end accommodation offerings recently opening their doors and undergoing refurbishments.

From premium bush camps in the heart of National Parks, to high-class hotels in Kenya’s capital Nairobi and luxurious seaside retreats, the African country boasts a host of exceptional accommodation options.

With fascinating cultures and wildlife, expansive deserts, and beautiful tropical beaches, and spectacular landscapes, tall mountains and lush rainforest, Kenya is rich in unforgettable experiences.

Eco-luxe offerings in Kenya’s National Parks

Porini Bush Camp, Ol Kinyei Conservancy

The intimate Porini Bush Camp opened in the award-winning Ol Kinyei Conservancy in July, 2013, offering one tent to 700 acres of wilderness. Situated in an exclusive 17,500 acre wildlife conservancy, the camp offers guests access to a region rich with game and diverse in its terrain, forests and rivers. The mobile camp operates with no permanent structures for minimal environmental impact and a high quality, low tourism density safari experience. For more information visit:porini.com/kenya.

Nairobi Tented Camp, Nairobi National Park

The newly renovated Nairobi Tented Camp offers guests an exclusive experience as the only accommodation offering inside the Nairobi National Park. The traditional tented camp provides a wilderness escape in the heart of thick bush land, in close proximity to the modern day conveniences of Nairobi. With sweeping plains on one side and Nairobi city on the other, Nairobi National Park is a wildlife haven unlike any other. The camp guarantees sightings of rhino and its eco-policy ensures a minimal impact on the local environment. For more information visit: nairobitentedcamp.com.

Segera Retreat, Laikipia

Segera Retreat opened earlier this year and is the central wildlife sanctuary in Laikipia, in the wooded savannah and grasslands of the Laikipia Plateau. Situated on an important migratory corridor within the Ewaso ecosystem, the luxury retreat includes six raised timber and thatch villas, with breath-taking vistas over the surrounding savannah and Mount Kenya. The property’s expansive 20,000 hectares is operated in an environmentally sound manner, ensuring the wide range of animal, bird and plant life are protected. For more information visit:segera.com.

Mara Plains Camp, Masai Mara

Recently re-opening after a rebuild earlier this year, Mara Plains Camp is located on the northern border of the Masai Mara Game Reserve in the 35,000-acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy. The high-end camp features seven rooms on raised decks with sweeping views across Kenya’s savannahs, exposing guests to the sights and sounds of the African wilderness. Offering access to over 100,000 acres of low-density vehicle tourism lands and an additional 375,000 acres within the Masai Mara Game Reserve, the camp provides unforgettable experiences. Conservation fees are paid to safeguard the flourishing habitat, supporting over 1,000 Masai families.  For more information visit: greatplainsconservation.com/maraplainscamp.

Sweetwaters Serena Camp, Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Sweetwaters Serena Camp, a sheltered oasis clustered around a water hole in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, has recently enjoyed a 5-star upgrade including renovations to the camp’s lounge, reception and bar areas. The property also unveiled 11 new tents in July last year, increasing the total number of tents in the camp to 51 and offering a charming blend of under-canvas ambiance and safari luxury.

Each tent features a private veranda overlooking the water hole and the conservancy is host to all members of the ‘Big Five’. The area also boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and shelters large numbers of rare and endangered species. For more information visit: serenahotels.com/serenasweetwaters.

Mara Toto Camp, Masai Mara

Mara Toto Camp, located just a few kilometres downstream from Mara Plains on the Ntiakitiak River, opened in late 2012. Blending comfort, adventure and intimacy, the camp operates in an area shared with just a handful of other small boutique camps. The camp is positioned in the heart of predator country with guest access to both Mara North Conservancy and the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Like sister property Mara Plains Camp, Mara Toto operates in a way which conserves the surrounding environment. For more information visit:greatplainsconservation.com/maratotocamp. 

Mahali Mzuri, Masai Mara

Situated within the Motorogi Conservancy in Kenya’s famous Masai Mara, the Virgin Limited Edition Collection Mahali Mzuri safari camp this year welcomed its first guests. Created in collaboration with the local Masai communities, the premium camp features 12 luxury tented suites, an infinity pool, spa and dining facilities. Perched on the side of a green valley and offering visitors spectacular views over the rolling plains, Mahali Mzuri provides a prime vantage point for observing the abundant game in the area, including the annual ‘Great Migration’. The camp offers daily game drives and guided walks and aims to leave as minimal a footprint as possible by promoting low density tourism. For more information visit: mahalimzuri.virgin.com. 

Sand River Masai Mara

Located on the picturesque banks of the Sand River within the Masai Mara National Reserve, the exclusive camp opened in July, 2013 and consists of 16 tents. The private property replicates the heyday of exclusive permanent tented camps of the late 1920’s with interior fixtures and furnishings reminding visitors of Hollywood movies that have paid homage to a classic era of African adventure. Guests will enjoy exceptional game-viewing in an area best known for its large concentrations of big cats like leopard, cheetah and lion. For more information visit: http://elewanacollection.com/.

Luxury openings in Kenya’s capital

Hemingways, Nairobi

The boutique plantation-style property opened in March, 2013, with 45 rooms available. An exclusive hideaway in Kenya’s capital, Hemingways Nairobi is flooded with natural light and offers guests views of The Green Hills of Africa, as described in Ernest Hemingway’s novel. Features like a dedicated butler, Michelin-starred chef and indulgent spa create a relaxing haven for visitors exploring the colourful country. For more information visit: http://www.hemingways-nairobi.com.

Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi

Nairobi’s 5-star Villa Rosa Kempinski opened in August 2013, and features a spa retreat and 200 rooms and suites designed in a fusion of European and Pan-African style. The upmarket hotel offers a variety of enticing spots for drinking and dining, with speciality restaurants set to open shortly. These include an Arabic Rooftop Lounge; Lucca and Tambourin, where guests are invited to relax while enjoying shisha and Arabian delicacies in the comfort of Majlis-style cabanas. For more information visit: http://www.kempinski.com.

Luxury by the sea 

Mara Engai Indian Ocean Retreat

The private beach resort opened in the coastal resort of Kilifi in August 2012, offering travellers a luxurious seaside haven. Set alongside a picture perfect white sand beach with sparkling turquoise water, the retreat boasts 18 elegantly decorated rooms and suites including an exclusive and palatial private Beach House, three swimming pools and lush tropical gardens. For more information visit: masaimarauk.com.   

For further information on Kenya visit www.magicalkenya.com