Classic Kenya from Nairobi to Coast

Tucked away in the leafy suburb of Karen, just 30 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Karen Gables offers a tranquil retreat from Nairobi’s bustle. Surrounded by verdant gardens and the gentle Ngong Hills, this Cape Dutch-style home provides a peaceful base with easy access to the city’s cultural highlights, shopping, and wildlife experiences. The property features individually styled rooms and suites, each with en suite facilities and air-conditioning. Junior and Master Suites offer fireplaces, private lounges, and garden views, while cosy Standard Doubles and Twins are perfect for a restful night’s sleep. Wi-Fi, in-room safes, and daily housekeeping ensure a comfortable stay, while the solar-heated pool and multiple private nooks around the gardens provide inviting spaces to relax and unwind. Explore Nairobi’s attractions with ease, from the Rothschild’s giraffes at the AFEW Giraffe Centre and the baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, to the iconic Nairobi National Park just a short drive away. Local shopping, dining, and the historic Karen Blixen House are also close at hand. A six-seater Toyota LandCruiser is available for excursions, ensuring safe and flexible transport. Insider’s Tip: Ask for the Junior Suite overlooking the terraced gardens; early mornings bring a serene view of birds and butterflies fluttering across the lawns, a quiet moment before heading out to explore Nairobi.

Loldia House is an ideal spot to relax, and savour the pleasures of Kenyan country life and from which to explore the Great Rift Valley. There are beautiful views of Mount Longonot, a dormant volcano, and wild animals can be seen roaming freely on the ranch. In the evenings, hippo munch quietly by the waterside. Loldia House is just a two-hour drive from Nairobi and within easy reach of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Loldia is conveniently located for day trips to the famous Lake Nakuru National Park. INSIDER'S TIP: Game and bird viewing by boat on Lake Naivasha is an essential activity. Lake Naivasha is the highest lake in the Rift Valley and one of its most beautiful.

Located in the heart of the Mara Triangle, one of the most wildlife-rich and visually arresting areas of the greater Masai Mara National Reserve, Wilderness Mara offers guests unrivalled access to both sides of the Mara River. This unique position provides access to a rich diversity of habitats while ensuring fewer crowds and deeper, more meaningful wildlife encounters. Here, 12 elegantly appointed tented suites are set along the edge of a seasonal marsh, designed to immerse you in the surrounds. Each canvas suite features an indoor and outdoor shower, and an elevated private deck to maximise the views filled with wildlife and birds. A family unit is also available for those travelling with children. There is also a full suite of amenities, from a serene spa and well-equipped gym, to an in-camp photographic studio designed to help relive and retell the day’s wildest moments. INSIDER'S TIP: Wilderness Mara is the only camp that allows guests across to both sides of the Mara River, opening up more space, more wildlife, and fewer crowds.

At the far end of Galu Beach, where the nearest hotel is 2km away, Kinondo Kwetu occupies 16 acres of sacred coastal forest. The land is classified as a Kaya area, protected by the National Museum, and the property wears that designation lightly: old trees, unhurried days, and a beach that genuinely feels like yours. Rooms and cottages are decorated with Swahili artefacts and coastal antiques, each one distinct. Cottages suit families well, with connecting configurations available, while the Alex House villa offers four bedrooms and a shared open-plan living space for two families or a larger group. Two pools catch different light at different hours: the larger for open sun, the smaller tucked into afternoon shade. Lunches and dinners move between spots depending on the hour, under the trees by day and under the stars in the evening. The kitchen works from a set menu built around locally grown produce and seafood straight from the ocean, though the team will happily adjust for any preference. When you're ready to move, the sea temperature invites at 28 to 32 degrees year-round, and horse riding, kite surfing, scuba diving, and sailing are all on or near the property. Insider's Tip: The property runs its own hospital in Kinondo village and supports the local primary school; ask the team about the community trust if you'd like to contribute during your stay.