A private paradise in the heart of Kenya

When you go off the beaten track in East Africa, you don’t just discover new places – you also glimpse alternative facets to this diverse region. Away from the major parks there’s a world of surprises, unique wildlife encounters and stunning luxury camps to be discovered.

Our recent stay at Ekorian’s Mugie Camp in Kenya’s Laikipia region was a prime example of this. Located in the Mugie Sanctuary, this camp is surrounded by a bewildering array of wildlife. During our visit, some of the most memorable sightings happened just a walk away from camp, at the nearby Mugie Dam. We watched as large herds of elephants gathered here for their daily drink at noon and we spent an evening watching a cheetah stalk her prey. We even spotted a leopard, which, as one of Africa’s more secretive creatures, always provides a moment to savour.

The mess tent at Ekorian's Mugie Camp

The dam and the wider Mugie Conservancy are home to countless more species too. Lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and warthogs are among the area’s impressive mammal population. And it’s a dream for bird-watchers, with over 280 species attracted to the dam alone, including migratory birds from as far away as Siberia.

As for the Ekorian’s Mugie accommodation, it’s everything you’d want from a wilderness camp. Simple decked tents, rustic log supports and thatched roofs create a calm, natural look but step inside and details like the stylish furnishings and comfy beds bring comfort and luxury. Plus, providing running hot water and flush toilets is no mean feat in such a remote setting. On top of all this, the camp manages to be a certified eco-lodge, thanks to its solar power and environmentally sensitive construction.

A bedroom tent opening up to the stunning Mugie Sanctuary beyond

The passion and dedication of the couple who run Ekorian – Josh and Donna Perrett – make for fantastic service. The food is fresh and delicious and the owners take time and care to make guests feel at home. It’s even the ideal spot to take young children. Living out here with kids of their own, the Perretts are more than qualified to tailor for younger African adventurers. And with countless activities on offer – swimming, kayaking, golf, cultural visits, bush walks and camel rides to name but a few – there’s a feast of adventure to be had here for guests of all generations.
 
Why not include a trip to Ekorian’s Mugie Camp as part of your next safari? As well as getting a definite thumbs-up from Africa House following our own highly enjoyable stay there, it’s also a chance to explore a lesser travelled but beautiful and wildlife-rich area deep in the Kenyan wilderness.

The camp with its sights set high

Views don’t come much more dramatic than the towering form of Mount Kilimanjaro – and there are few lodges better placed to capture this drama than Tawi Lodge. Located on the southern fringe of Kenya’s stunning Amboseli National Park, the view from Tawi is a quintessential safari landscape of vast open plains with Kili’s snow-tipped grandeur providing the backdrop.
 
As well as its impressive landscapes, this location is also a sensational spot for wildlife. A short game drive will reveal Amboseli’s incredible array of wildlife, including lions, hyenas, wildebeest and Kenya’s largest elephants – in fact, you won’t even need to stray from the lodge to see the elephants, because while you enjoy your morning refreshments, you can watch them enjoy theirs at Tawi’s waterhole, just metres away.

Stylish bedroom at Tawi with stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro

The lofty mountain view is by fittingly matched by the high standards of this little boutique camp. Tawi is beautifully designed to blend into the African landscape surrounding it with thatched roofs, rich woods and soft lighting. And Tawi has been thoughtfully set out to maximise your enjoyment of that dominating mountain view – every one of its cottages is arranged so that Kili is on display whether you’re on your private veranda, or even in bed or relaxing in your own chic freestanding bath.

For all its rustic charm and the wilderness setting, there’s luxury in abundance here. Each spacious cottage features big, comfy beds, an en-suite with both a bath and shower, and its own fireplace for cosy nights. Plus, for a full pampering experience, Tawi offers a spa, outdoor hot tub and a range of massage treatments. And with a gourmet menu featuring fresh local produce, the sense of luxury is complete.
 
This whole package of great hospitality and stunning aesthetics makes Tawi one of East Africa’s most appealing accommodations. Throw in a truly classic view and amazing game-spotting and it’s simply world-class – and unsurprisingly, a firm fixture on Africa House’s list of favoured properties for our guests in this area.
 
More information about Tawi Camp can be found at www.tawilodge.com. Let us know if you would like to include a stay at Tawi in your own Africa House Safari itinerary. 

Nature meets nostalgia at Sand River

When we heard last year that a new tented camp was opening in the Masai Mara, we were curious as to what it would be like. When we found out it was a luxury 1920s-inspired camp on the stunning Sand River built by boutique accommodation experts The Elewana Collection, we had to go and see it for ourselves.

We made our inaugural outing to this new camp, simply named Sand River Masai Mara after its position at this stunning spot in Kenya’s great National Park, at the very end of last year. What we discovered was a classic permanent camp comprising a string of beautifully apppointed tents dotted along the bank of the Sand River.

A bathroom at Sand River

Tents they may be, but roughing it this certainly is not. Sand River has been designed and decorated to evoke the Golden Age of 1920s and 30s safaris, and the brief is executed to stunning effect. You’re treated to roomy interiors with big four-poster beds, chandeliers, period furnishings, rich wooden floors and opulent fabrics. The bathrooms are fitted with grand roll top baths and gorgeous period-style washstands. This is truly a taste of the classic early days of safari, a sublime immersion in the romantic elegance of those heady days of exploration evoked in Hemingway or Out of Africa. 

A panoramic view of our family tent

The accommodation experience is completed by a standard of service and amenities which is nothing short of exceptional. Each tented room has a private wooden deck where you can sit and take in the views over the river. The communal area boasts wifi, a snooker room and a swimming pool. The sense of luxury continues at dinner time, where the food is not so much bush tucker as fine restaurant dining, with a good choice of delicious dishes on offer. And the staff, as well as providing first-class service, are an absolute pleasure.

Wild wonders

All this is impressive enough – and that’s before even considering the camp’s setting. Sand River is slap bang in the heart of East Africa’s most thrilling wildlife region, where the Masai Mara flanks Tanzania’s Serengeti just beyond the river. This is the pulsing heart of East Africa’s safari wilderness and very much in the thick of the wildlife action. The daily game drives from Sand River provide heaps of animal encounters, with the Big Five all lurking here, along with hundreds of other weird and wonderful creatures besides. We were delighted to get some great sightings of our own, including some precious glimpses (and photos, of which you can see one below) of the majestic lion affectionately known here as ‘Blondie’.

Blondie, who we spotted on the Masai Mara

Another exciting aspect to Sand River is its ideal placing for one of Earth’s greatest natural phenomena, the mass wildebeest migration. If you’re here sometime between July and October, and you’re lucky, you might just get a front-row seat as the incredible sight of masses of wildebeest, accompanied by zebras and gazelles, making their epic journey. But even outside this season, as our trip proved, the wildlife viewing here is sensational.

An elephant we photographed at a watering hole

Our stay at Sand River was one to remember. Despite it having opened less than a year ago, this tented camp has well and truly established itself as a remarkable addition to Kenya’s luxury travel scene, and earns our stamp of approval for Africa House guests. Elegant period luxury, impeccable service and a winning location make Sand River the perfect base for a classic Africa safari.

Fast-track to paradise

When you first land in Kenya at Nairobi’s busy international airport, the wild, remote Africa which likely enticed you here might still seem a long way off. So what’s amazing about Emakoko Lodge in Nairobi National Park is that, despite being located in a thoroughly rural Emakoko Lodgeand serene setting and surrounded by wildlife, you can get there well within an hour of setting foot in Kenya.

The serene surroundings at Emakoko

Despite its proximity to Nairobi, Emakoko is far more than simply a convenient stop-off. Of course, this location does make it a very handy place to start or finish your East African safari. But Emakoko also stands on it own as accommodation of considerable quality and character, and which frequently leaves guests very pleasantly surprised.

For one thing, Emakoko abounds with style and charm. The kind of style that suits Africa perfectly – simple, organic, earthy and calming – thanks to rustic yet tasteful décor that includes natural branch railings and homely stone fireplaces. It’s enough to create relaxation and a luxury feel while leaving the environment beyond its walls to do most of the talking. And the surroundings here are certainly worth taking notice of. The lodge is cleverly slotted into the side of a valley Bedroom at Emakokowith rooms overlooking leafy woodland, the river which flows nearby and the open bushland beyond.

One of Emakoko's stylish bedrooms

Complementing Emakoko's natural charms and impressive design, the brilliant quality of service and hospitality make it the complete package. Friendly without being intrusive, the small, welcoming team of staff run by the family who independently own Emakoko, frequently prompt praise from guests.

All of which makes this surprising little gem just outside the bustling capital a compelling accommodation option and one which we’re pleased to endorse and take guests to. If you would like to stay at Emakoko as part of your safari itinerary, we’d love to take you there.

Great starts and happy endings

In planning a safari holiday, the focus naturally tends to be on the thrilling days and nights spent out in the bush. But choosing the right property for settling into Africa when you arrive, and for winding down at the end, can embellish your time here with a complementary experience that rounds off your African adventure perfectly.

That’s why we were delighted to acquaint ourselves with Onsea House, a gem of a guest house near Arusha in Tanzania, on our recent expedition in the region in search of the best accommodation for our guests. And for those who covet maximum R&R in a holiday, Onsea House is now joined by a sister property, Machweo. This ‘wellness retreat’ is the place to be if pampering is on your tick-list. Whether it’s a swim in the pool, an avocado oil jacuzzi, a steam bath or a deep tissue massage, there’s everything you need here to leave you relaxed and revitalised.

Despite being just a few miles from the centre of Arusha, Onsea provides a thoroughly serene location. Landscaped gardens create a luxurious and calming immediate scene. But the real star is Africa’s own landscapes beyond. Rolling hills studded with baobab and acacia trees stretch up to the glorious Mount Meru on the horizon. Onsea House’s elevated position takes full advantage of these inspiring views and makes watching the sunset here especially enchanting.

The house itself strikes just the right balance between privacy and personal service. Priding itself on being ‘a home from home’, Onsea goes to great lengths to create a sense of comfort. With a relatively small number of guests accommodated at any one time, the focus really is on a quality experience. Inside, the style is understated and classy, with a clean and contemporary look which is warmed with touches of woody rusticity that you’d hope for in Africa.

Foodies are in for a treat at Onsea. Michelin-experienced chef Axel is clearly a man in the know when it comes to quality cuisine. He combines his Belgian roots with his current surroundings to deliver excellent fusion food – classic European dishes with accents from Africa.

We would return to Onsea House and Machweo without hesitation. The great service, amazing food, chic accommodation and gorgeous surroundings combine to make this guest house and retreat a pretty irresistible stop-off while in Tanzania. But more importantly, it’s another stunning accommodation to which we can take our guests – with the confidence that they’ll enjoy the standard of quality which would be expected from an Africa House safari experience.