Sarara Camp

A nine-bedroom former family home, Eden is set on a four-acre property in the quiet suburb of Langata on the outskirts of Nairobi. The hotel borders the Giraffe Sanctuary forest, and the building has been transformed into a living museum and gallery space. Wander through the rooms and public spaces and you’ll find the original designers and builders Tonio and Anna Trzebinski’s own artworks and creations, as well as artefacts that they have collected from all over the continent over the years. Eden lends itself to longer stays, and there is even an artists residence that can be booked for seven nights. Time spent at Eden is all about enjoying a fully immersive cultural experience and it gives guests the opportunity to experience the modern side of Nairobi in a memorable way. Children under 12 are only allowed when making exclusive use of the main house or Tonio’s Studio Annex. The interiors in the eight rooms and cottage have all be carefully styled by renowned fashion designer Anna. The entire property is a journey of Kenyan art, style, culture and fashion. Exposed wood is complimented by bold, expressive colours and textiles. Dappled sunlight spills through windows onto inviting furniture, perfect for curling up with a boom from the owners’ collection. Enjoy lunch and dinner in the hotel’s stunning restaurant and bar area which overlooks the garden and pond. And spend time exploring the four acres of gardens which lead into a 100-acre forest which is perfect for guided nature walks. Eden is just a short drive from Giraffe Sanctuary and Giraffe Manor.

Lengishu is an exclusive safari house, ideal for families or a group of friends, with a superb hillside setting in northern Kenya, and wonderful views to the north over the Borana Conservancy to Northern Frontier District and the Mathews Ranges in the far distance. Borana Conservancy has excellent wildlife sighting opportunities, including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, a healthy number of black and white rhino, and a number of species unique to northern Kenya such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich. With rammed earth walls, and sustainably sourced timbers in its roof and floors, Lengishu has a very small environmental footprint. The house has six bedrooms split between four cottages, all with their own private en-suite bathrooms, and designed to make the best of the views. The bathrooms have walk-in showers and big roll top baths, and the bedrooms have wood stoves or fireplaces for cool nights. There is a sitting room between the rooms in two of the cottages, making them ideal for a family with younger children. The master bedroom is a standalone cottage and the main house has a spacious dining room, lounge, and a study. The large pool has wonderful westerly views, and there is also a games room, a petanque pitch as well as a gym.

Karen Gables is a homely Cape Dutch style guesthouse in the green suburb of Karen (named after Karen Blixen whose old farm, now a museum, can be found close by). The home has seven rooms and suites, one of which is a twin, as well as communal lounges, bar and dining area. Outside, find a pleasant pool and lush gardens.

Ol Malo is a privately-owned game sanctuary on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau and bordering the tribal heartlands of the nomadic Samburu people – 5000 acres of spectacular bush country overlooked by Mount Kenya and teeming with wildlife. Atop a rock escarpment the Francombe family and their Samburu neighbours have created Ol Malo Lodge. The main building, especially its wonderful pool, provide a fine clifftop vantage point overlooking activity at the watering hole and salt lick below. A maze of slated pathways wind down to four rock and olive wood cottages. Each has its own veranda and complete privacy. Large picture windows frame a wild, constantly changing landscape – clouds scud across the sky, stately eagles wheel and glide on thermals above the plains. Game drives in open vehicles are led by Samburu guides, on the lookout for elephant, buffalo, beisa oryx, zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, African wild dog, leopard, cheetah, lion, and hyena. There’s plenty of scope for adventure too with horse or camel riding on the plains – a wonderful way to see the game up close – cross-country mountain biking, fishing, river tubing, scenic helicopter flights, running with a Samburu warrior and community visits.