Tree Hotels // Camping Safaris // Samburu Lodge // The Ark // Mara Safari Club // Mara Simba // Sweet Waters // Keekorok // TaitaHills // Lake Turkana
HOTELS
Nairobi, Mombasa and other main urban centres generally
have a good selection of hotels and standards. Somak features a range
of hotels from basic good value accommodation to the very best that Kenya
offers. Facilities generally include a swimming pool, selection of restaurant
café, bar lounge and shops. Rooms are en-suite and many offer air conditioning,
TV (mainly in Nairobi hotels), telephone and room service. Most have architectural
design and interior in a local context and blending with the surroundings.
LODGES
A game lodge
or safari lodge is actually a small hotel, rarely exceeding 150 beds.
Generally imaginatively designed and furnished and occupy superlative
sites within the parks. Lodges are strategically located near rivers or
dramatically set into elevated vantage points overlooking waterholes and
offering wide and distant panoramas. Facilities often include an elevated
pool, dining room, lounge, bar and verandahs which usually offer spectacular views and exciting
sunsets. Architecture is imaginative and facilities usually impressive.
There is usually a well-equipped shop. Room dEcors is often in the local
or tribal theme and most likely offer twin beds with an en-suite bathroom/shower.
Rooms may be arranged in chalet or rondavel format.
CAMPS
A tented lodge has sleeping accommodation in tents, but permanent public areas. Generally also have swimming pools. Tents generally on a permanent plinth, with thatched roof covering. Furnishings rustic and in local context. Tented camps have tented public areas as well as sleeping accommodation. Generally smaller than lodges. Erected in prime game viewing areas and generously appointed, they offer the atmosphere of luxury and nostalgia. Tents are equipped with separate bed/dressing rooms and shower/toilet en-suite. You can enjoy the intimacy and high security with a sense of adventure. Somak offers a variety of luxury tented camps in permanent locations. They all have a restaurant and bar and some camps also have a swimming pool. Each tent has two beds and an en-suite bathrooms with shower and wc. Tents generally accommodate two full size beds and bathroom facilities are en-suite including hot and cold running water and flush toilets.
An animal viewing lodge in the trees or on stilts, after the style of
Treetops. They provide a similar standard of accommodation to the lodges,
and are usually built around a waterhole. Clients cannot leave the lodge
to go on game drives, but the tree hotel offers a number of game viewing
platforms and photograph hideouts. They also provide the opportunity for
nocturnal game viewing around the waterhole, which is flood-lit at night.
At the upper end, is the luxury tented camp, set up especially for the client in location which may vary, but which are always exclusive. The luxury tented safari travels with a complete compliment of staff including chef giving a high standard of personal service. A more budge style camping safari is also available with all facilities provided.
Hotels, Lodges and Camps in Kenya
Dining rooms situated on
the Uaso Nyiro River. Accommodation
comprise 59 in thatched bungalows and a twin storey building. There
is a restaurant, bar and pool.
Lake
Nakuru Lodge
Located in tropical gardens with an elevated view over the Lake Nakuru. Facilities include 68 rooms, restaurant, bar and swimming pool.
Ngulia Lodge
Strategically positioned on a high outcrop in Tsavo West.
The lodge has one of the highest swimming pools
Has 52 rooms, restaurant, bar and viewing terrace.
Situated in the heart of The Aberdares,
located by a waterhole.
There is a photographic 'hide' and catwalk gangway.
Facilities are 60 cabin rooms, restaurant and bar.
Kilaguni
Lodge
Has a spectacular panorama over Tsavo West, beyond its saltlick.
Facilities include 52 rooms, restaurant, bar and swimming pool.
Mt Kenya Safari Club
Located right on the slopes of Mount Kenya, facing the Batian peak.
Mt. Kenya Safari Club has impeccable facilities and service.
Numerous facilities including, golf, tennis, pool and horse riding.
Surrounded by a game ranch 1216 acres of alpine forest and lush streams.
Amboseli
Serena
Overlooked by majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Has 102 ensuite rooms modelled on Massy Manatees.
There is a swimming pool, restaurant and bar.
Treetops
The rambling tree lodge, in The Aberdares.
With 50 rooms it is famous as the place Princess Elizabeth learned of her ascension to the British Throne.
Comfort is not high priority, yet it is a fine place to observe wildlife firsthand.
Larsens
Named after one of the founding fathers
of tourism in Kenya.
Larsens offers the traditional feel of tented safaris in undrempt of luxury.
Each of the 14 twins and 3 suites comprise a luxury ensuite tent pitched on a permanent concrete base.
Sited to give excellent views along the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu.
Dining is in a mess tent and there is also a bar tent.
Mara
Serena
In a prime site overlooking The Mara Plains.
Serena's property has 77 rooms, restaurant, bar and elevated swimming pool with sun terrace.
Governors Camp
Has a reputation as a
luxury lodge
The 36 ensuite tents are each on a permanent base, right on the Mara River.
Dining is in a candlelit tent, sundowners from the well stocked bar are enjoyed by the campfire.
Mountain
Lodge
In the highlands on the slopes of Mt. Kenya.
Overlooks a large waterhole/salt lick, frequented by Elephants, Rhino and Buffalo.
There are 45 ensuite rooms, dining room, bar, viewing galley and dugout.
Lake Naivasha Country Club
Steeped in history Lake Naivasha Country Club is set in 55 acres with
16 individual rooms.
Was once base for BOAC.
Facilities include pool, tennis, bar and a delightful lounge.
Close to The Masai Mara.
There are 50 ensuite tents each with a four poster bed.
Has a dining room, lounge and a swimming pool.
The oldest lodge in The Mara.
Conveniently located near the entrance to the reserve.
The 109 rooms are in cabins.
There is a dining room, bar and swimming pool.
Lake Baringo Club
The Club restaurant and
bar are flanked on either side by 45 twin rooms.
Overlooks the gardens beside Lake Baringo.
There is a swimming pool, bird walks and excursions across the lake are available.
Salt
Lick Taita Hills
Close to Tsavo National Park these two Hilton properties are quite unique.
Salt Lick comprises 64 rooms in pepper pot cabins.
Taita Hills offers 60 ensuite rooms with restaurant, lounge, swimming pool, tennis, mini-gold and hot air ballooning - all extra, payable locally.
Voi
Safari Lodge
Beautifully located on an outcrop overlooking The Chyulu Hills in Tsavo East.
There are 52 rooms, dining room, bar, swimming pool and photographic hide.
On the banks of the Talek River.
Designed with imagination and built with traditional materials so that the lodge nestles unobtrusively into the landscape.
The restaurant and bar overlook the river.
Facilities include a shop and a swimming pool.
Outspan Hotel
Lord Baydon-Powell founded
the scout movement from Paxtu in the grounds of Outspan.
A grand old country house of 45 rooms, suites and cottages.
Facilities include restaurant, lounge, snooker room, tennis courts, swimming pool and gift shop.
Aberdare Country Club
The atmosphere is one of
a country hotel with accommodation in stone cottages.
Set within lush gardens and surrounded by its own game sanctuary.
There are 60 rooms and cottages.
Emphasis is either on quite solitude or on numerous sporting activities options including tennis, swimming, golf, horse riding and fishing.
Tortilis Camp
An exclusive 15 tent luxury
conservation camp.
Main lodge is perched on a small hill with matchless views across Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Each tent is set on a permanent base with ensuite shower and its own verandah and sensitively positioned to provide privacy within unspoilt Acacia woodland.
Cuisine - emphasis is on Italian home cooking 'just the way your momma would like it'.
Samburu Serena Lodge
Serena offers luxury thatched wooden cabins under a canopy of majestic
trees amid a blaze of flowers.
Facilities feature bar, lounge with a restaurant that overlooks both the swimming pool and beyond the river.
Ol Tukai
Cottage-style accommodation comprising
80 rooms located either side of the central main lodge.
Set in a forest camouflaged by yellow-fever trees.
Mara Sarova
Situated on a natural elevation between two streams.
There are 75 tents located on permanent platforms, each equipped with ensuite shower and wc.
Features a restaurant, bar with viewing deck and a swimming pool.
Reminiscent of Karen Blixen's Africa of the 1920's.
Sweetwaters offers a luxurious tented camp, overlooking a waterhole with first rate facilities in a private game reserve.
The reserve is also home to the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya.
Lake Elementaita Lodge
The former home of Lord
Cole, this luxury hotel with colonial restaurant and bar has 33 ensuite
guestrooms, located in the main lodge and in cottages.
Bird watching walk, ox-wagon safaris and horse riding are some of the activities available.
Sarova Lion Hill
Sarova's lodge is landscaped
into the side of Lion Hill, a wooded, rocky hillside of Euphorbia trees.
Both Leopard and Lion have been sighted there.
The lodge enjoys an elevation panorama of Lake Nakuru and its woody covered marshy banks.
Accommodation features attractive semi-detached chalets.
Shaba Sarova Lodge
Attractively landscaped,
Savora's flagship lodge.
features 85 rooms in thatched chalets, immediately facing the river.
Dining is in the open-air restaurant. Shaba has a freeform swimming pool.
Finch Hattons
At the foot of the Chyulu Hills surrounding 3 Hippo Pools.
Has 35 truly exclusive ensuite tents of stunning proportions on elevated platforms with verandah. Your privacy is assured.
The main building includes a beautiful period restaurant, generous bar, lounge and terrace (overlooking Mt. Kilimanjaro).
Enjoy the large landscaped swimming pool of mineral water, escorted nature walks and game drives.
Located in a game sanctuary
of 192 sq kms just 30 kms from Mombasa.
Taita Hills Lodge comprises 60 ensuite rooms, providing the traveller with Hilton amenities and service.
Tents at Taita Hills satisfy a thirst for a bush safari.
Samburu
Intrepids
Occupying a shady spot right on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River.
Intrepids offers the height of luxury - 27 twin-bedded ensuite tents on permanent bases overlooking the river.
Facilities include swimming pool, open restaurant, bar and lounge.
Mara Intrepids Club
Mara Intrepids offers 30 twin or double-bedded ensuite tents, arranged in groups to form mini-camps.
Tents are on permanent bases, equipped with power and running water.
Club facilities include open restaurant, bar and lounge.
The club has two prime game viewing platforms, one position to view sunsets across the Mara plains and a second at an area frequented by Leopard.
Siana Springs
Built on the former site of
Cottars Camp at natural springs.
Siana offers 85 ensuite tented accommodations on permanent locations.
Clients here enjoy the open bus environment, including bird walks.
Facilities include restaurant, bar and swimming pool.
LAKE BOGORIA
Bogoria really is untamed beauty -
a co-ordinated sea of blue and vivid pink, set dramatically at the foot
of Laikipia Escarpment - right in the sweltering deserts north of Nakuru,
at an altitude above 1,000 m. Apart from its superb geographic location,
outstanding features include its famous geysers - spectacular displays
of superheated water, bubbling up out of its natural underground rock
cauldrons and its shoreline which plays host to countless thousand of
flocks of shocking pink flamingoes. The surrounding national park is also
the perfect habitat to an unusual handsome antelope - herds of Greater
Kudu.
LAKE BARINGO
Of all the lakes in the Great Rift only two are freshwater and Baringo's climate - being furthest north, is extremely hot and arid. But for the ornithologists, Baringo is a dream come true - with perhaps the highest tally of species sighted in Kenya. Included is Verreaux's Eagle, the rare Bristle-crowned Starling and Hemprich's Hornbill, but the list is too numerous to do it justice here. The central island is also home to the largest nesting colony of Goliath Herons in East Africa.
LAKES NAKURU & ELEMENTAITA
Apart from the
shallow alkaline waters of the lake - a favourite habitat of migrating
flamingos and resident cormorants - Lake Nakuru National Park and its
varied terrain is rich in wildlife; a few Lions, Leopards, Rhino, herds
of Buffalo, Rothschild's Giraffe and Zebras. Just 12 kms away lies Lake
Elementaita part of the Delamere Soy-sambu Estate. Elementaita's deeper
waters are reckoned to be a more reliable habitat for sighting Flamingoes.
Hundreds of bird species have been recorded in the area, from Pelicans,
Black Winged Stilts, Avocets to the winter guest list, that includes a
mass of Ruffs.
Known alternatively as the Jade Sea, the blue-green waters of this enormous 185 mild long soda lake support huge numbers of giant Nile Perch, the ferocious Tiger Fish and the latest community of Nile Crocodiles - around 12,000 on Central Island. Over 350 species of birdlife have been sighted and include numbers of Flamingo and Pelican. From its eastern shores the grassy plains of Sibiloi National Park support Zebra, Gazelle, Topi, Oryx and Hartebeest. Lion and Cheetah are also found here. Higher ground provides sanctuary for Elephant and Greater Kudu. Close by is Leakey's palaeontological site and a museum displaying the remains of pre-historic Elephants. To the SE lies Mt. Kulai (2,164m). Here knite edge lava wastes and petrified forests have preserved fossils discovered by Leakey which show that this barren wind blown wasteland, was once meadow and woodlands. Turkana is home to some of the most venomous reptiles: Cobras, Puff Adders and Saw Scaled Vipers. There are no lodges or tourist facilities in this area.
The
highest and purest of the Great Rift's Lakes, this shimmering pearl, is
best appreciated whilst en-route, before descending the Rift's eastern
escarpment. It sits in the shadow of volcanic cones, Mts. Longonot and
Suswa and is immense - being almost 13 kms in length and covering some
110 sq km. During the 30's and 40's the Lake and it's hotel were an early
'Nairobi BOAC airbase' for the flying boats. Today upwards of 600 species
can be appreciated in the serenity of this lake with take-offs rather
more glorious. Along its shoreline are Waterbuck, Gazelle and Hippo. The
deepest part of the lake is framed by Crescent Island, a game sanctuary.
LAKE VICTORIA
Olambwe Valley Game Reserve skirts the eastern end of Lake Victoria at Homa Bay. This reserve of just 194 sq km comprising rolling savannah and open woodland was created to preserve the Roan Antelope. Other mammals include Jackson's Hartebeest and Oribi. Some rare bird species also frequent the area.
