79 Best Hotels in Kenya

This grand old colonial lady will take you back to the heady early days when settlers, adventurers, colonial officers, and their ladies arrived in the capital to make their names and their fortunes. Built in 1904, the Norfolk was one of Nairobi's first hotels and quickly became the meeting place and waterhole for everybody who was anybody in the colony. The hotel is now part of the Fairmont chain of hotels, but the original mock-Tudor facade and colonial opulence still remain, so you can easily imagine yourself back in the early days as you sip your G&T—it's always called G&T, never gin and tonic—or an excellent local Tusker beer on the Lord Delamere Terrace or in the leather-chaired bar. If you're there on a Sunday, do not miss the lavish high tea.

Set against the dunes in Shela village, Fatuma's Tower is a beautiful, cool, calm escape. The magical homestead was built in the late 1990s on crumbling ruins, and looks like it's been there for centuries. Bougainvillea clamber up the concrete walls, and a giant tortilis acacia watches over the back garden, where healthy, fresh-cooked meals are served in its shade. The rooms are large and airy and furnished with Swahili antiques and local textiles and have solar-powered hot water. A big draw for staying at Fatuma's Tower is its yoga space where very accessible classes are available every afternoon.

This budget option on the banks of the Talek River overlooks the plains and its location on the northeastern boundary of the reserve gives it easy access to all the game areas. You'll stay in a safari tent or stone-and-thatch chalet, both furnished in African ethnic themes, but you should try for a tent with a river view; be sure to have taken your malaria prevention tablets. Both tents and chalets are en-suite and have small verandas or balconies. There are two bars, an indoor and outdoor eating area, and a tree-house coffee deck where you can watch the passing animal show. Don't expect the ultimate in luxury, but you'll get good value for your money and also get to meet lots of international visitors. If you want more luxury and exclusivity, go for one of the Ngaboli tents, where you'll sleep in a four-poster bed and have lots more room. Activities are extra: night safaris, bush walks, Champagne breakfasts, and bush dinners range in price from US$45 to US$60.

One of the world's most Instagrammed hotels—yes, giraffes really do pop their heads through the windows and bat their eyelashes at you at this stately old look-alike gabled Scottish hunting lodge. Built of honey-color sandstone and set in a forest in the Nairobi suburb of Langata, it's 30 minutes by road from the city center. It's a haven of peace and tranquility, unless you reckon curious giraffes and snuffling warthogs as stressful. Rare, endangered Rothschild's giraffes roam freely through the estate, and you can find out more about the species at the adjacent Giraffe Centre. If possible, choose a honeymoon master bedroom with an Art Deco bathroom. There's also a family suite with two rooms that can sleep two adults and up to three children, and the Karen Blixen suite that's got a courtyard garden.

One of the famous Governors' Camps, Il Moran is where Kenya's first colonial governors used to twirl their handlebar mustaches and sip their gin and tonics while on safari—as you can imagine, it boasts an exclusive location that's teeming with game. Il Moran, which means warrior in Maasai, sits on the edge of the plains, nestled in a private forest on the banks of the Mara river. There are 10 luxurious tents, all spacious and imaginatively furnished with original furniture hand-carved from ancient olive trees, the antique Persian rugs that seem obligatory in so many safari accommodations, battered old leather suitcases, glowing oil lamps and a hammock on the veranda from which you could spot a herd of elephants dust bathing. You'll feel like a pampered Victorian gentleman or lady as you soak in your claw-foot tub. Breakfast can be in the raised wooden deck of the restaurant while watching hippos bobbing up and down in the Mara River below, while dinner is served by candlelight in the open dining tent or alfresco by the river. There are game drives and bush walks with the highly trained guides shared by all the Governors’ Camps, but treat yourself to the hot-air-balloon ride (an extra cost) with a Champagne breakfast in the bush to follow. They are the only lodge that also offers flights in-house, with transfers between Nairobi, Mara, Loldia and Mugie, on Cessna Grand Caravans.

This eco-friendly camp in the middle of the exclusive Mara Naboisho Conservancy is named after the olseki or sandpaper tree, which is a Maasai symbol of peace, harmony, and wealth. Set on round wooden platforms on a rocky outcrop surrounded by bird-filled trees, the 10 tents look as if they are sailing through the bush. Inside, it's all space and light, with simple, stylish furnishings: a double and single bed, cream and earth-tone soft furnishings, straw mats, carefully planned lighting, and en suite toilet and shower. The lean, clean effect is carried through to the attractive dining tent and library, which has a fireplace. The two newer suites have two bedrooms, living and dining areas, and their own kitchens; guests can choose to have the staff finish cooking meals here before serving them privately. The conservancy limits entry to only clients actually staying inside the area and offers an incredibly private safari experience. Activities include morning and night game drives with lots of game—you might get one of Kenya's few women guides—bush picnics, star-gazer walks, botanical walks, and visits to authentic, non-touristy Maasai villages.

Situated on a rocky outcrop in the Il Ngwesi Group Ranch, a community conservation and livestock region north of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, this intimate lodge prides itself on its successful efforts to integrate community development and sustainable environmental management. The comfortably furnished open-walled bandas with open-air showers are made of local materials and built on a slope—their fronts rest on wooden stilts—thus giving uninterrupted views of the surrounding wilderness. Make sure you take the opportunity to sit out at the main lodge and watch the waterhole below or cool off in the horizon pool, which gently flows down into the bush below; water is gravity-piped from a nearby natural spring. You'll see plenty of game including lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, the elusive wild dog, and large herds of elephants and buffalo, plus the plains game. The local Maasai community helped build and continues to run the camp through a communal group, and you can learn about hunting, gathering honey, animal trapping with indigenous poisons, or fashioning beadwork. You won't want to miss the dancing of the warriors and maidens—it's the genuine article. Il Ngwesi Camp is a shining example of how a safari lodge can reduce poverty and strengthen partnerships between the tourist trade and local communities.

Located right on the waterfront in Shela, Kijani Hotel offers rooms in three converted Arab merchant houses grouped around a pretty central garden (kijani is Swahili for green) with swimming pool. They are furnished with antiques sourced in Lamu and Zanzibar, including high Swahili beds with colorful kikoi bedspreads, woven mats, and charming shutters over the windows. Although the rooms don't have any amenities, there's a tranquil, relaxed air to the place; all rooms have a safe, and free Wi-Fi. The restaurant is one of the best in Shela for seafood and pasta, and they serve excellent cocktails too; try the molten lava cake for dessert. Excellent breakfasts are included. The hotel can arrange dhow trips on the Shaba Dhow complete with meals prepared aboard, and tours of Lamu town.

This lovely old lodge was Kenya's first lodge to open in a national park (1962); its timber, stone, and thatch buildings complement the natural wilderness surroundings and, when it's not wreathed in clouds, there's a good view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. You can watch game and birds at the magnificent and often busy waterhole from any one of several viewing decks, or enjoy a drink in the bar carved out of rocks. En suite rooms are decorated in the ubiquitous African-theme fabrics, but are comfortable and spacious. Buffet meals with plenty of variety are way above the average. You can book all sorts of activities at the lodge, including morning and afternoon game drives and walks, bush breakfasts and dinners, and trips to Mzima Springs.

This elegant resort, much favored by Italians, is in large grounds amid a profusion of tropical flowering plants 4 km (2½ miles) from Malindi. Spacious airy rooms, mostly decorated in white, have classy Swahili-inspired antique furniture such as carved four-poster beds, complemented by the dark browns of the rugs, bedspreads, and lamps. A private furnished veranda looks out onto the pool where your breakfast is served each morning. Even the Romans hardly had it so good. The cuisine is international, with delicious seafood dishes, and there are two bars, a spa, and a fabulous private beach. The name delightfully means "sofa by the sea" in Swahili.

Owned by a Swedish family, the delightful Kinondo Kwetu was built in an idyllic location in a section of sacred forest on Galu Beach. Tribal elders advised on the layout so that the most important trees—ancient baobabs included—were preserved, adding a certain spirituality to this exclusive and spacious retreat. It has an excellent reputation for wellness, with a Finnish sauna, spa treatments, yoga platform, and a special meditation site on a nearby cliff. Diving, dhow sailing trips, and horse riding are also available. The suites in the main house, and cottages and two-bedroom Beach House, either face the sea or one of the two swimming pools, and while decor is contemporary it's accented with traditional Kenyan artifacts and textiles. All around the property—along the beach and in alcoves in the extensive gardens—you'll find daybeds and loungers inviting you to soak up the serene atmosphere.

Only a short walk from the serene Karura Forest, this hotel seamlessly merges modern luxury and Kenya's rich cultural heritage which is woven into its architecture and decor. The name 'Kwetu' means 'our home' in Swahili, and that perfectly reflects the personalized service that makes one feel at home here. The hotel features two exceptional dining options: Meko Restaurant located by the stunning pool, serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes, and Upepo, the rooftop bar and restaurant, offering South East Asian cuisine (try the Japanese nasi goreng if available on the menu). Both have quickly become popular destinations for locals and visitors alike, particularly with DJs and saxophonists on rotation in the evenings or weekends to serenade guests. Take in the forest from your room's large windows, or arrange a complimentary excursion at the reception.

This resort sits on a large lakeside property and oozes historical character as it dates back to the 1930s when it served as a staging post for a flying boat service between Durban and Ireland; today's Country Club has received a massive overhaul and now features lavish public areas, although the original rooms themselves by modern standards are very small. There's a dining room, a choice of bars, a resident’s lounge with a cozy fireplace, a snooker room, and a gift shop. The highlight is to dine on the lawns in the shade of the beautiful giant fever trees and watch zebra, wildebeest, and various antelope wander by. Numerous activities include bird-watching walks, hippo and sunset cruises on the lake, and day trips to the local attractions.

In lovely forested grounds with huge established trees, very large rooms, and loads of facilities, the comfortable and friendly Sopa offers everything you'll need for a couple of days at Lake Naivasha. It's set a little back from the lake but there are still water views from parts of the property and you will see the resident herd of waterbuck grazing beneath the fever trees, and above them troops of both vervet and black-and-white colobus monkeys. There are two swimming pools, tennis courts, a well-designed and cavernous restaurant and lounge area, and a relaxing spa. The rooms are in attractive double-story curved cottages with balconies or terraces and are great for families as they interconnect.

If you'd like to do an overnight in Lake Nakuru National Park, then the smart mid-range Sopa Lodge is a good choice thanks to its commanding position high up on a ridge in the quiet western area. There are lake views from all around the property, but get up early for your game drive as the sunrise in particular is impressive. Rooms are in circular thatched cottages—giving an impression of an African village scattered over the hillside—and are comfortable with double beds, large en suite bathrooms with piping hot showers, and patios or balconies. The public areas are spacious with huge windows and warm lighting and the buffet meals are generous and varied. Children are welcome here with special meals and babysitting arranged.

The rooms in this boutique hotel, located next to the Donkey Sanctuary on Lamu's waterfront, are all different, but each one is superbly decorated in traditional Swahili style and has a separate dressing room and a terrace looking out either onto the water or the town. The communal areas in the inside courtyard of the hotel are comfortable and tranquil, and there is one large pool and a plunge pool for cooling off. Don't miss the gift shop attached to the hotel, which sells gorgeous soft kikois, sandals, bags, and kaftans. The hotel's restaurant, Moonrise, is open to nonguests and is one of the best in town. You can order fish of the day steamed in a banana leaf or pan-fried with a tamarind sauce, or lobster, tuna, sailfish, pasta, chicken curry, or a good vegetarian dal. The hotel offers mid- to long-term rentals on high-end apartments in Lamu.

If it's rhinos you're after, then this delightful but small tented camp in the 65,000-acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, right where the old Rhino Sanctuary headquarters used to stand, is for you. There's a comfortable main building with cozy log fires for eating and relaxing, and wide verandas outside each tent for soaking up the beautiful environs. But if it's game-viewing you're after, then one of the camp's expert team of professional guides will take you on an exhilarating drive. Spacious tents protected by a sturdy thatch roof have comfortable beds, a desk for keeping up on those precious journal notes, and en suite bathrooms. The food is homegrown and tasty. Bird-watching is spectacular in this area, but it's likely that while you're watching out for feathered friends, you're likely to spot big game as well, including lion, leopard, and Grevy's zebra. Other activities include morning game walks, evening horse rides, or a relaxing massage next to the gorgeous pool that has giraffe-shaped tiles.

Getting to this camp is a mini adventure in itself---first you take a small boat that ferries you across the Mara River followed by a short, escorted walk with armed guides (so you don't become lion food) before arriving at this gorgeous little camp with elegantly furnished classic safari tents. If you're lucky enough to be here during a full moon, you can watch the game come and go at the large marshy area in front of the camp, which is a haven for bird-watching during the day. You'll eat superb house-cooked meals under a blue sky or at night in the dining and bar tent and relax afterward around a bonfire. Game drives, often with a picnic breakfast, go into the national reserve on the other side of the river, while one of the Mara's balloon launch sites is very close by in the Mara Triangle sector where Little Governors' is located—even if you don't go, you'll see the balloons take off in the morning. If you need to stretch your legs after a game drive, go on a guided walking safari or visit a nearby Maasai village and join in the ipid jumping dance with the warriors. Like all the Governors' camps, it's unfenced, but children of all ages are welcome here.

The Loisaba Tented Camp sits right in the middle of the game-rich Loisaba Conservancy in the northern reaches of Laikipia and is part of the Ewaso Nyiro River ecosystem. It's home to elephants, a healthy population of lions, the rare wild dog, and an abundance of other species. Perched on the edge of a rocky escarpment, this lovely camp has spacious open dining, lounge, and bar areas, and a stunning infinity pool with views across the Laikipia plains to Mt. Kenya and a waterhole below. The six large and airy tents have polished wooden floors, wide decks, and bathrooms with rainfall hot showers. If you fancy something even more special, opt for one of the Loisaba Star Beds (about 6 km/3.7 miles away), but don't expect a meager stretcher under the stars. You'll sleep on a wooden "platform" with a half-covered thatch roof and handcrafted furniture, set among big rocks overlooking either a waterhole or the Ewaso Nyiro River. In the evening your friendly and attentive Laikipia Maasai or Samburu attendants will wheel out your four-poster double bed, carefully shrouded under a mosquito net, under the star-studded clear night sky. You can have a piping-hot shower in the open-air bathrooms concealed in the rocks. As well as day and night game drives, activities include horse- and camel-riding, bush walks and visits to Samburu villages.

At high tide, you can dive right off your veranda into the ocean; at low tide, a lovely strand of beach appears in front of your room. The natural rhythms of sun and sea often guide your activities at this secluded resort on Manda Island. If the breezes are strong, you may choose an afternoon of kitesurfing. If the evening light is particularly sharp, perhaps you'll take a short boat ride to witness thousands of iridescent-red, carmine bee-eater birds glowing in the trees like ornaments. Schedule a private game drive and stand under a giant baobab tree, explore the Takwa ruins, and see abundant wildlife. Or simply lie in your hammock and listen to the gentle surf, then stroll to the waterfront lounge for cocktails. Eleven of the sixteen large bandas (cottages) are on the beach, and each has elegant coastal-style wood furnishings and enormous bathrooms with double sinks and grand showers. There are multiple recreational options from dhow safaris to waterskiing, but most of all, Manda Bay is a place to enjoy relaxed, barefoot luxury.

At this intimate camp tucked in a riverine forest on a bend on the Talek River, you'll be able to watch elephants wading, hippos snorting, and all other sorts of game from your outdoor claw-foot bathtub that overlooks the river. Of course, a cocktail of choice makes the scene so much more appealing. Legendary explorer Dr. Livingstone never knew what he was missing. A handcrafted wooden bed dominates the en suite tent, but there's still room for the bedside tables fashioned from logs, old chests, and weather-beaten tin trunks that serve as tables, and an old-fashioned rocking chair where you can sit and tick off your mammal and bird lists. Move a little farther outside and you can laze on your wooden deck, savoring every tranquil moment. You'll be awed by the number of predators you see—lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena—preying on the plains herbivores. All the Masai Mara activities are available, and you'll particularly enjoy the breakfast picnics where the lions can watch you feeding. You'll eat delicious meals in an open-air dining area, which looks out over the river, and there are a cozy lounge and small library for those moments when you want to sit still.

Perched high on a hill deep inside the Mara Triangle part of the reserve, attractive domed huts echo the style and shape of the traditional Maasai manyattas. Each hut has rooms that echo the ethnic theme of the exteriors with soft, honey-color furnishings and a personal balcony that overlooks the plains and the distant Oloololo Escarpment—the views are spectacular. Though it's highly unlikely, if you do get tired of gazing out at the endless rolling grasslands where the migration takes place each year, then keep watch at the busy waterhole below the restaurant for a continuous wildlife show. Activities include ballooning (expensive but the trip of a lifetime), guided walks, bush barbecues, and game drives. After bouncing around in an open-sided game vehicle, it's great to enjoy a relaxing massage at the Maisha Spa. The Maasai dancing is also spectacular.

On a hillside near the Ololaimutiek Gate, this well-priced family-style lodge (sopa means welcome in the Maasai language) is one of the most popular in the reserve. Even though they're always busy, the delightfully friendly and experienced staff will make you feel special. You'll sleep in a rondavel (a round, thatch-roof cottage) that has a veranda and is simply but pleasantly furnished in traditional African style with lots of earth-color soft furnishings. The brightly decorated public areas are nestled among flowering plants and trees; notices telling you about mealtimes, balloon booking times, how to book a picnic, and other information are pasted throughout the main area. Don't expect all the bells and whistles of the luxury lodges—hot water is available only mornings and evenings—but the setting and the feeling of Africa on your doorstep more than compensate. Plus events such as Maasai dancing or African food are held, and there's also a quaintly named "Wild Animals Viewing Deck" in camp.

Only 20 minutes away from one of the legendary migration river crossings, this stylish camp doesn't exclusively follow traditional safari camp feel; rather it aims for a fusion of old and new with pale khaki and white mesh tents, minimalist hand-carved wooden furniture, roof-to-ceiling earth-color drapes, and plain couches and chairs highlighted with ethnic-patterned cushions. Split into three camps, Main Naibor has seven tents, while Little Naibor and Naibor Wilderness have two and three tents respectively and are designed for family or private groups. The whole camp lives up to its name—naibor means purity and whiteness in Maa, the language of the Maasai people—but you'll never lose that essential sense of being on an African safari. The spacious tents on the banks of the Talek River are furnished with handwoven straw mats, a hand-carved figwood bed, and simple bedside tables. Soft white bed linen is complemented with brightly colored cushions and throws. There's a big private veranda from where you can catch the elephants going down to drink, or listen to and watch the myriad birds. The game here is exceptionally good.

Insulated by a hidden glade—home to leopards, lions, and hyenas—Nairobi Tented Camp is in a secluded part of Nairobi National Park, providing an authentic bush experience within a few miles of the city center. Tents are comfortably equipped with large en suite bathrooms (with traditional hot-water bucket-showers). The lounge tent is sumptuously furnished with all the comforts of home and set meals are served around a big table, but this is a carefully prepared eco-camp that could potentially be removed within 48 hours, leaving zero imprint on the natural habitat. Hot water bottles tame Nairobi's cool high altitude nights but the bush around is as wild as anywhere in Africa; you might have a giraffe or rhino wandering around the camp.

Perched on an escarpment with views toward Mt. Kenya in the south, this lovely lodge is on a privately owned family ranch in the wild northern Laikipia Plateau. The stone-and-thatch cottages, some built on two levels, are very private and have king-size beds and baths that you can lie in and look out at the passing wildlife. The main lodge, also built of natural rock and olive wood, is cozy and comfortable. There's a huge pool, which clings to the rock edge, spilling its waters to the rocks below. For exclusive groups or families, the Francombe family has built a six-bedroom house on the property, too, which features a rooftop sundeck, a barbeque area, and a pool. Drives are extremely rewarding with game galore, but for something a little different try a camel ride, a nature walk, an overnight stay in the Look Out Hut—a little wooden hut in the bush—or go camping under the stars. Horseback riding is a fascinating way to spot game: there are also safe and friendly ponies for kids, and children's gift packs on arrival, plus other kids' activities. There's also the opportunity to meet and mix with the local Samburu people and to take part in some of their activities.

This popular lodge is a central feature of Amboseli National Park as it's part of the fenced-off area in the middle of the park where the KWS headquarters are located, but Ol Tukai itself has only a very low electric fence which does not get in the way of the simply tremendous views across the animal-studded plains to the east. As you walk to your room, spot herds of elephants and plains game as far as the eye can see. Bird-watching is good, too, with more than 400 species to be identified, and Ol Tukai offers specialized bird walks through its grounds for beginners and experts alike; it's a wonderful opportunity to introduce yourself or the kids to the world of birds. This resort manages to be both modern and traditional—its facilities are world-class, but its feel and ambience are unmistakably African. It is set amid acres of well-kept lawns dotted with the familiar symbol of the plains—Acacia tortilis trees—and has a superb view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. En suite chalets, built of local stone and slate, are furnished with handcrafted wooden furniture and decorated with faux animal-skin fabrics, rugs, and throws; each has a personal veranda. The public areas are open and spacious and the lounges, dining areas, and bar occupy multilevel wooden decks. The restaurant serves à la carte menus as well as set buffets. One of the highlights here is the large figure-eight shaped swimming pool where you can relax on a sunbed and watch wildebeest and zebra graze nearby. Extra services include massages, babysitting, and laundry.

This expansive 120-acre farm is set in the foothills of Mt Kenya; pad out of your four-poster bed to your cottage's wooden veranda to take in the beauty of the ever-green Lolldaigas. There are five cottages, and the decor in the Party House (the main living area) is bohemian maximalism; an Indian throw pillow here and an Afghani ceramic bowl there, it's all inspired by the up to 100 countries owner Elizabeth Loker and her late husband Clinton Lucy had traveled to. Opened in 2012, the couple built the property from scratch---including bringing in water and electricity---and have since transformed the once arid land into a thriving farm. As it's an owner-run camp, should you so wish, Elizabeth will gladly join you at meal time and regale you with lively tales from her adventures. Whether you're a seasoned rider or a beginner, get paired with a suitable horse from the stables and gallop through the property. Only a half-hour drive from the bustling Nanyuki town, you can explore the restaurants there, or venture a little farther to Ngare Ndare forest to walk the 40-m (131-foot) high canopy and swim under its waterfalls.

This exclusive, back-to-nature tented camp is in the remote and game-abundant 15,000-acre Selenkay Conservancy, a few miles north of Amboseli National Park. A gold eco-award winner, the camp is co-owned with the local Maasai community. You'll see few visitors, but lots of game including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the ubiquitous Amboseli elephants. Birdlife is prolific, with lots of raptors. Big, comfortably furnished tents are solar-powered and have en suite bathrooms with a basin, shower, and flush toilet. You'll eat hearty, home-cooked meals outside the mess tent while being serenaded by birdcalls by day and nocturnal animals by night. Game drives are taken in an open-sided safari vehicle—yours will be the only one for miles—and you'll visit an authentic Maasai village, take an informative walk in a dry riverbed, enjoy a picnic lunch in Amboseli itself, and at night you'll return to your own little private spot in the African wilderness. The all-inclusive price covers two nights' accommodation, round-trip road transfers, Amboseli park fees, conservancy fees, all game drives, sundowners, walks with Maasai warriors, Maasai village visits, full board, and free house wines, beer, and soft drinks.