Africa Veterans Safaris :: for unforgattable adventures! kenya tourist safaris....

Kenya hosts a large number of world class hotels and lodges. Whether you prefer a large chain-owned hotel or a small cosy lodge, Kenya has it all.

Some of the larger hotels are world renowned, such as The Hilton (Hilton Hotel) and the Norfolk (Fairmont Hotels). These hotels are spread all over the country, from the capital - Nairobi - to the luxurious beach hotels - such as the Sarova Whitesands - in the coastal town of Mombasa.

There are also numerous lodges situated conveniently near the major national parks and game reserves in the country. These include the famous Treetops Lodge, where England's Queen Elizabeth learned of her father's death and ascended to the throne, and the Mara Simba Lodge, located in the best big cat viewing location in the world, the Maasai Mara game reserve.

Lake Naivasha Country Club

Just over an hour's drive from Nairobi, one of the Great Rift Valley's jewels, reflecting the tranquil beauty of an African sky and the surrounding mountains, is temporarily distorted as flocks of graceful flamingoes and pink-backed pelicans settle of the water. This fresh water lake, some 13 kms across is a haven for bird watchers, nature lovers, artists and for those seeking a peaceful scenic retreat.

Previously known as Lake Naivasha Hotel, this attractive Country Club, sited in 55 acres of lake side gardens, began life in the 1930s as papyrus thatched chalets. Although the current accommodation is a far cry from the original structure, the Club has certainly not lost any of its charm. There is a choice of rooms, cottages or suites all furnished with their own individual theme. Number of rooms: 46 twin rooms, 5 cottage rooms, 1 executive lake cottage.

The old comfortable architecture is solid and comfortable with a variety of accommodation in rooms and cottages facing the rolling lawns and the lake.

Lunch most days is al fresco, beneath the shade of some magnificent acacia and pepper trees. And the evenings have their own special charm too. After a day in the fresh air, a Naivasha cocktail beside the roaring log fire in the residents lounge sets the pace for an enjoyable evening. Guests can look forward to a "home-grown" dinner prepared only from the freshest lake side ingredients.

One of the country's leading horticultural and agricultural areas, Naivasha produces world-class fruit, vegetables and flowers for export to Europe.

And between the Club's legendary meals, there is plenty to do to build up an appetite - walking amongst the game on nearby Crescent Island, fishing for bass and tilapia, bird watching by boat with one of our knowledgeable guides, climbing Mt Longonot, trekking through the gorges of Hell's Gate National Park, and visiting 'Elsamere', once home of the famous authoress, Joy Adamson and her beloved 'Born Free' lion. Then, of course there is always the swimming pool for catching up on a tan, a novel and a few lengths.

Treetops Lodge

Treetops Lodge is nestled deep in the forests of Aberdare National Park, this world-renowned rustic treehouse is dedicated to game viewing. Originally built in 1932, Treetops is famous as the place where the then-Princess Elizabeth learned of her father's death and ascended to the British Throne in 1952.

Treetops lies in the path of an ancient elephant migratory route between the Aberdare Mountains and Mt Kenya National park, and is strategically sited right in front of a watering hole and salt lick.

Guests can drink in the sight of elephants, buffalo, rhinos and more from the safety of four viewing decks and a rooftop platform. Shutterbugs can take close shots from two photographic hides at ground level. History buffs can get animal counts for years past. Die-hard animal lovers needn't worry about missed sightings, even into the early hours of the morning. An optional buzzer in the rooms alerts the guests when a spectacle is unfolding at the waterhole. Game drives and a lecture about Treetops are also available to the guests.

This lodge-on-stilts is as space-efficient on the inside as it is unassuming on the outside. Trees grow right through the building. There are 48 cozy rooms and two suites, a lounge overlooking the waterhole and two bars. There is also a restaurant where dinner is served on charming old world refectory tables with bench seating,. It is 17 km away from Outspan Hotel , where guests begin and end their journey to Treetops. Guests are advised to bring warm clothing as nights can get chilly at this lodge, which is 6,450m above sea level.

Treetops and Shimba are located very close to the wild animals. For this reason, children under the age of 5 are not allowed at either of these lodges, both for their safety and to maintain the quiet of the environment.

Mt. Kenya Safari Club

With magnificent views of majestic Mount Kenya, the Fairmont Safari Club's 115 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, set in over 100 acres of landscaped gardens, offer a unique blend of comfort, relaxation and adventure. Originally the retreat of movie star and Club founder, William Holden, the Club's illustrious former members have included Winston Churchill and Bing Crosby.

The Mount Kenya Safari Club is situated on the foothills of Mt. Kenya, bordering the Mt. Kenya National Park, 10 kms from Nanyuki Town. Straddling the equator at the heart of the country, the sacred peak of this long extinct volcano gave Kenya its name. A humbling sight, as it rises out of darkness in dawn’s early light, its snow-crowned peaks give way to verdant forest.

There are 116 rooms which range from villas to cottages, and some rooms also have a mini-bar, sitting room and private veranda. The Restaurant serves a buffet breakfast, buffet lunch and 9-course dinner. The Mountain View Bar and Lounge is open throughout the day and evening. The Club has a heated swimming pool, beauty parlour and sauna.

Activities at Mount Kenya Safari club:

• Nine-hole golf course, with fairways, greens and tees strategically situated between miniature dams and mountain streams.
• Croquet on an international size field with six hoops.
• Bird walks within the club grounds with the resident ornithologist.
• 3 hours guided scenic walk.
• Bush banquet on the River Likii.
• Visit the animal orphanage - a refuge for orphaned wild animals.
• Horse riding on the club’s thoroughbred horses.
• Trout fishing on a lake near the golf club, stocked with 2000 trout.
• Optional Extras: Fishing safaris up Mt. Kenya, visits to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Aberdare National Park, Samburu National Reserve and Mt. Kenya National Park. Visits to the animal orphanage, drinks, hire of equipment for sporting activities and airfield transfers.

Mara Simba Lodge

Mara Simba was conceived not just as an overnight stop but also as a safari resort- the ultimate lodge in the Masai Mara of Kenya. The emphasis is on exclusivity and comfort, the ambiance is Masai, and the decor incorporates ethnic design elements from the local tribes. The grounds extend almost a kilometer along the Talek River with the beautiful riverbank left in its virgin state. Further back, lush landscaped gardens of indigenous plants and trees attract colorful birds and butterflies. The lodge overlooks a dramatic bend in the river and is designed to complement its natural setting.

The 84 guest rooms, arranged in clusters of 6, are outfitted in natural wood tones and stone banda. Guest rooms have ensuite showers, tiled bathrooms with natural granite and (UK) bathroom fittings. Each spacious room, which can easily accommodate an extra bed, opens onto its own private veranda with uninterrupted views across the river. In addition to the lodge, Mara Simba has a few luxury tents if you choose to be accommodated in one.

When visiting the Mara Simba Lodge, you will experience the pleasure of sampling many delectable cuisines. Their chefs will present cuisine in a colorful and spectacular celebration of culinary artistry with a wide range of mouth watering specialties. The restaurant and bar offer first-class cuisine. The bar has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and is an ideal place to relax after a day of sightseeing. The dining area and bar, where delicious cuisine of succulent meat dishes and vegetarian menus are served, are focal points in the cool of the evening.

After game drives, the large, sparkling swimming pool invites you into cool relaxation. Nighttime floodlit viewing from the comfort of chairs set on the open veranda and dining area may reveal an elusive leopard across the silvery water. As darkness falls, the time for entertainment arrives and Mara Simba does it in style with traditional Masai dancers and a guitarist for a musical contrast.

Keekorok Lodge

Keekorok Lodge was opened in 1965 and lies at the southern end of Masai Mara Reserve, approximately 280 kms from Nairobi. Keekorok Lodge is sited in the direct path of the annual wildebeest migration and was the first lodge to be built in the Mara. At the height of the wildebeest migration, Keekorok Lodge is surrounded by a swarming mass of animals and there is hardly need to go for a game drive. Keekorok Lodge's charm lies in the liberal use of local building materials. Sand stone, cedar wood and other indigenous materials are used in all rooms and public areas. Accommodation at Keekorok Lodge is in bungalows, single storey blocks and in comfortable shaded chalets. Accomodations at Keekorok Lodge are bungalows built from natural materials. Tastefully decorated with the finest linens and furniture, the bedrooms provide calming views of the plains and distant hills. Each bungalow has private bedrooms and an a bathroom and veranda, which is shared by the guests in the bungalow. Keekorok Lodge’s open-sided dining room provides stunning views of the Mara. After a day of game-spotting and nature watching, guest can reinvigorate themselves in the refreshing water of the swimming pool. Or, unwind at the lodge’s comfortable open air bar and lounge, while watching the nearby hippos and birds. Rooms are in form of 10 single rooms, 74 twin rooms and 1 junior suite.

A 300m walkway meanders through the riverine forest in front of Keekorok Lodge with a small bar at one end overlooking a dam where the resident hippo, if he is not on walk about finds his observers as fascinating as they find him.

The Ark Lodge

Set in the heart of the Aberdare National Park, The Ark is an unique tree lodge with a veranda that overlooks a floodlit waterhole and saltlick allowing undisturbed views of wildlife visiting the waterhole. Elephant, rhino, leopard, bushbuck and occasionally an elusive bongo and giant forest hog have been sighted. The Ark Tree Lodge is 16km (10 miles) from the Mweiga airfield or one hour's drive from Nyeri airstrip or two hours from Nanyuki. The Ark has gradually increased its carrying capacity as demand dictated, and today can hold 123 guests.

The 60 guest rooms are all en-suite. All cabins have private bathrooms with shower, and are comfortably furnished with bedside lamps and carpeted floors to ward off the evening and morning chill. Close to your room are views of the forest or waterhole, revealing game. Cabins are provided with water flasks and glasses, hot water bottles and extra blankets. The bathrooms contain 115/240v shaving socket, shower stall, washbasin and flush toilets.

The Main Dining Room is set off from the Bar. Long tables are softly lit, and the split-level room has a glass wall with superb views of the dense forest. The menu is a cosmopolitan combination of European and Kenyan dishes, made from fresh Kenyan produce. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are Table d'hôte. Lunch is only served to guests staying for more than one night, or upon special request. Seating capacity is 140 people. Located on one of the viewing decks is a bar and lounge which remain open all night for tea and coffee.

The Ark tree viewing balcony resembling and named after Noah's Ark, The Ark Tree Lodge is designed with 'decks' from which numerous balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for game viewing. A ground level bunker provides excellent photographic opportunities and takes you closer than you would believe possible to the wildlife.

Elephants visting Ark Tree Waterhole In each room, a buzzer system will alert you when there is something special to see, such as a leopard who might sneak to the floodlit waterhole in the dead of night. The ground level viewing area provides incredible photographic opportunities as the Elephants come almost close enough to touch. The whole experience at the Ark feels slightly unreal as there is so much going on, and all you have to do is wait on the balconies with your camera and binoculars.

The Yasabara waterhole and salt-lick is frequented by great numbers of animals, elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and bushbuck, besides other rare creatures such as the suni, and genet cat. To enable guests to continue watching late into the night, the waterhole is floodlit from 1800 hours to dawn. Spare blankets are available for guests' use in the lounges. Photographic flashlights are not permitted as some animals are startled by flashlights and are scared away.

Access to vehicles is limited in order to conserve and protect the environment which hosts wildlife such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, bush bucks, giant forest hogs, Sykes monkey, leopard, and bongo.

Amboseli Serena Lodge

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge is framed against the glorious backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, the magnificently beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro, surrounded by miles of rolling grasslands, patrolled by vast herds of elephant, shaded by the lush, feathered-green of an acacia grove and hugging the banks of a gently flowing river, this very traditional yet supremely luxurious lodge is the safari destination of a lifetime.

Amboseli Serena Lodge itself draws on a subtle Maasai cultural motif, featuring natural woodcarvings, traditional artefacts and a glowing selection of local art.

Sensitively located and built from ecologically sympathetic materials, its architectural shapes, style, textures and colours reflect the true essence of the African bush. They also enable it to blend effortlessly into the landscape and work in gentle harmony with the natural environment.

The rooms at Amboseli Serena Lodge, each with an uninterrupted view over the ever-changing vistas of the African plains, are styled to a traditional Maasai concept featuring beadwork, gourds, hand-painted murals and the clever use of the traditional manyatta bent-brushwood effect so as to blend an authentic nomadic aura with all the comforts of unabashed five star luxuries.

Guests can also enjoy an acacia-shaded swimming pool fed daily by the melt-waters of Kilimanjaro, a selection of natural timber game viewing decks, a water hole for the animals and an alluring selection of watering holes for the guests.