Kenya Safari & Gorilla Trekking

Between the rolling Ngong Hills and the vast Nairobi National Park lies Hemingways Nairobi, a boutique all-suite hotel offering a serene escape from the bustle of the city. Set in the leafy suburb of Karen, just minutes from cultural landmarks like the Karen Blixen Museum and the Giraffe Centre, it is perfectly placed for both relaxation and exploration. The spacious suites feature vaulted ceilings, elegant living spaces, and private terraces with sweeping views. Every detail is considered, from personalised butler service to luxury bathroom amenities, promising the highest level of comfort. During your stay, enjoy the hotel’s brasserie and bar, an indulgent spa, outdoor pool, and fitness centre, creating a retreat that feels both luxurious and personal. Days here can be as leisurely or adventurous as you wish. Spot wildlife on the edge of Nairobi National Park, tee off at nearby Karen Golf Club, or visit the Daphne Sheldrick Animal Orphanage to see rescued elephants up close. Evenings invite you to return for fine dining and a cocktail at sunset, framed by the hills. INSIDER’S TIP: Ask your butler to arrange a morning excursion into Nairobi National Park, you might spot lions hunting with the city skyline in the distance.

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.

Hemingways Retreat sits in a residential neighbourhood in Kigali, a boutique property that brings together an eco-conscious design ethos with genuine urban access. The city's markets, art galleries and the Kigali Genocide Memorial are within easy reach; the retreat's position in the hills gives it a quieter feel while keeping the centre close. The property runs on solar power and is designed around its gardens, with rooms opening to private decks, outdoor rain showers and saltwater plunge pools set among the tropical plants. A spa and fitness centre sit within the grounds, and a Fusion restaurant draws on Italian, Mauritian and Moroccan influences alongside local Rwandan produce, largely sourced from an onsite organic garden. Kigali rewards slow exploration; and the retreat’s location fits this pace of life. Neighbourhood walking tours, a visit to the Nyamirambo Women's Centre and horseback riding on Mount Kigali offer different ways into the city, while Volcanoes National Park is accessible as a day trip for gorilla trekking. Insider's Tip: The Nyamirambo Women's Centre visit is one of the most rewarding ways to spend a morning in Kigali, combining a neighbourhood walk with a direct look at the work the centre does within the community.

Wilderness Bisate is located in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone and has dramatic views of the peaks of the volcanoes, Bisoke and Karisimbi, rearing up through the Afro-alpine forests of nearby Volcanoes National Park. Six luxurious en-suite Forest Villas maximise comfort and views, while retaining environmental principles and reflecting the culture of rural Rwanda. Each guest contributes to Bisate’s biodiversity conservation and local community projects – making a far-reaching impact on an iconic endangered species: the mountain gorilla. Aside from tracking one of the several habituated gorilla groups, activities include visiting nearby natural attractions, hiking to Dian Fossey’s burial site, and observing the Park’s group of endangered endemic golden monkey. Walks on Bisate’s property offer birding and participation in the reforestation programme. Insider's Tip: Wilderness Bisate is within easy driving distance of Volcanoes National Park Headquarters, from where gorilla treks depart daily.