Kenya’s Best Luxury Safari Lodges

Widely considered to be the birthplace of the safari, Kenya’s long history of attracting travellers from across the world dates back to well over a century ago, making it one of the most established wildlife destinations in all of Africa. While its legacy of warm and welcoming hospitality holds strong, the style and spirit of Kenya’s safari lodges has certainly evolved over the ages.

The result is an all-encompassing range of top-end properties, each with unique differentiators, but all offering world-class guiding and incredible wildlife encounters delivered with a warm Kenyan smile.

With so many wonderful properties to choose from, it can feel a bit overwhelming, so we’ve narrowed it down to just a few of our best luxury safari lodges in Kenya.

Undoubtedly one of the most famous game reserves in Africa, the Maasai Mara is well-deserving of its excellent reputation. Whether you choose to stay in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, or one of the surrounding conservancies, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury accommodation.

Angama Mara

Perched high above the Mara Triangle, Angama Mara offers one of the most iconic views on the continent. Here, at the edge of the Great Rift Valley, two identical but separate camps have been built on the same site where Out of Africa was filmed. The tented suites are vast, each with an expansive private deck, extra-length king size bed, personalised mini-bar, deep tub and floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

While the accommodation itself is undeniably elegant, the real luxury here is in the fantastic service and the range of experiences available: private photographic classes, picnic lunches in the shamba, rewarding game drives and hot-air ballooning over the savannah.

Mara Nyika

In Swahili, ‘Nyika’ means ‘Large Plains’ or ‘Great Plains’, a nod to the brand to which this stunning property belongs, as well as its spectacular setting in the 20,000-hectare Naboisho Conservancy. Built on raised walkways which give the camp a treehouse feel, Mara Nyika has just three guest suites and a two-bedroom family suite, each offering views out over the acacia-filled bush and the nearby stream.

While the suites are tented, they are undeniably luxurious and vast at about 1,000 sqft with a private lounge and deck leading into the bedroom and onwards to the bathroom complete with a huge stand-alone copper tub and walk-in shower.

Sala’s Camp

At Sala’s Camp, tradition meets comfort in a luxury tented camp situated far away from the crowds in the southern, wider corner of the Maasai Mara, near the confluence of the Sand and Keekorok rivers. This prime location, close to the border with Tanzania, makes it one of the first spots on the Mara to catch sight of the Great Migration of wildebeest, usually between June and September.

This is one of the few camps in the Mara to offer a private plunge pool on the deck of your floor-to ceiling glass-fronted tent. Deep bathtubs, hammocks and gorgeous views out over the savannah complete the picture, making this camp one of our favourites in the Mara.

Wide open landscapes, rare endemic and wildlife and unforgettable cultural experiences are just a few of the reasons you should consider including Laikipia and Northern Kenya in your luxury safari.

From the slopes of Mount Kenya to the old cattle ranches of Laikipia that have been restored into pristine wildlife reserves, and the arid and rugged Samburu region, there is so much to explore – along with some of the most exclusive lodges in all of Kenya.

Sasaab

With a captivating, Moroccan-influenced design that factors in the African heat, Sasaab is an inspirational example of community-led ecotourism, where Samburu culture and traditions thrive together with the local wildlife.

The nine rooms are huge at over 100sqm with spacious open-air bathrooms and private plunge pools. Relax on the sun loungers on your veranda as you watch rivers bathe in the river right in front of you or unwind at the award-winning spa ­– this is the ideal location for soothing relaxation in the heart of the Samburu wilderness.

Sarara Treehouses

Located in the untouched wilderness of the 850,000-acre Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in the Mathews mountain range, Sarara Treehouses has eight beautiful tents raised up into the ancient forest canopy.

Not only does this allow for wonderful views, but it also enables the free movement of wildlife, such as elephants and buffalos, on the forest floor beneath you completely undisturbed. Wake up to melodic birdsong and chattering monkeys and step onto your balcony to gaze out over the mountain and forests at this truly magical and secluded sanctuary.

Sirikoi

This family-owned lodge is nestled between Kenya’s arid North to one side and the lush foothills of Mount Kenya on the other, in the inspiring 68,000-acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy which is a refuge for endangered rhino.

Set around a charming eco-chic African home, the lodge is luxurious yet unpretentious, comprising four tents along with a two-bedroomed private cottage and three-bedroomed private house. Inside you will find unique décor that encourages you to take it slow and enjoy what it calls ‘armchair game viewing’, from a huge private deck, along with deep Victorian bathtubs and cosy fireplaces.

In the southeast part of Kenya, you will find the Greater Amboseli region comprising the iconic dusty pans of Amboseli National Park, home to the famous super tusker elephants, along with the vast, rolling Chyulu Hills and the historic Tsavo East and West, all framed by Africa’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro.

The landscapes here are breathtaking - flamingo-filled lakes, ancient fever tree forests and remarkable bird and animal diversity, making it one of the most underrated but exceptional safari areas in all of Africa.

ol Donyo

Situated in between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks in the Chyulu Hills, ol Donyo Lodge has been specially designed so that each of the eight suites has a ‘window to the soul of East Africa’ looking out over the private plunge pool and plains towards Kilimanjaro.

All of the rooms have star beds, so you can sleep beneath the African night sky with the nocturnal sounds of the bush all around you. Spend days exploring the landscape on guided drives, walking safaris, mountain bike safaris and on horseback, returning to Relais and Châteaux quality meals and hand-picked wines.

Angama Amboseli

This intimate and contemporary lodge is located in the community-owned Kimana Sanctuary, renowned for its lush landscape, remarkable density of wildlife and famed backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The 10 guest suites have been ideally positioned for views of ‘Kili’, while as is always the case with Angama, the lodge focuses on a range of unique experiences, from photography classes to learning how to weave baskets from the local Maasai to a unique elephant sundowner in the observation deck.

At Niarra Travel, we specialise in creating unforgettable luxury African safaris that connect your journey with purpose. If you are ready to start planning your private luxury trip to Kenya, get in touch with our team on +44 (0) 20 3821 5994 (UK), +1 (833) 215 9353 (US), or at explore@niarratravel.com and our Travel Researchers will create a bespoke safari just for you.