Top 10 Lodges in Laikipia
It’s fair not to judge anyone who overlooks Laikipia over other Bush destinations in Kenya. Most people always consider visiting either the Mara, Samburu or Amboseli. If you are looking for vast spaces, luxury accommodations and exclusivity, Laikipia definitively stands out. Most of the Lodges in Laikipia are privately owned and located inside private conservancies. Looking for an intimate getaway or just looking for an opportunity to connect with nature? We have compiled a list of top 10 Lodges in Laikipia.
- Segera Retreat.
Place: Overlooking snow-capped Mount Kenya, luxurious Segera Retreat is found on Laikipia’s savannah grasslands, home to the second-highest density of wildlife in Kenya. Game drives, guided nature walks and cultural activities showcase the environment, facilitated by an Experience Host and Guide.
Accommodation: Beautifully renovated stables form the core of the main area, while six large luxurious villas rise on wooden platforms above a profusion of botanical life. The lavish new Farmhouse Homestead, Segera House and perfectly-positioned Villa Segera boast even greater privacy and luxury. Throughout, the Retreat and its gardens are filled with selected paintings and other art from amongst Africa’s most inspiring artists from The Zeitz Collection. Other delights include a spa and gym, as well as the unique Nay Palad Bird’s Nest sleep-out. The sumptuous cuisine comprises Segera’s own free-range beef and organic vegetables.
Purpose: Owned by Jochen Zeitz, and with the support of the Zeitz Foundation, Segera Retreat is at the forefront of positive change in Kenya; its mission is to achieve a healthy, holistic balance of the 4Cs (Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce). This ethos has made the retreat a tangible example of successful multiple land-use efforts and proof that luxury can be sustainable.
Source- https://www.segera.com/
- Sirikoi
As a small and intimate family-owned safari lodge, Sirikoi offers unrivalled exclusivity and charm. The four luxury tents, Sirikoi Cottage and private Sirikoi House are perfectly positioned along the spring-fed Sirikoi stream, immersed in nature with wildlife all around.
Sirikoi resembles an eco-chic African home and while it offers a sure sense of luxury and high level of service, it manages to be welcoming, comfortable and unpretentious. All the rooms are spacious and tastefully designed, with unique décor touches, a sitting area, big Victorian bathtubs, rain-showers, fireplaces and a private deck.
Surrounded by 68,000 acres of pure wilderness of the renowned World Heritage Site, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the location of the lodge is truly exceptional. With Kenya’s arid North to one side, and the lush foothills of Mount Kenya on the other, Sirikoi enjoys a beautiful spring-like climate year-round.
Days are as action-packed or as rejuvenating as desired, and Sirikoi offers a range of unique and adventurous activities for all ages to experience and explore the wilderness and wildlife. Guests enjoy prime game viewing on morning, evening and night game drives on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in their own exclusive and open vehicle, or in a leather chair on the Sirikoi deck overlooking the busy waterhole and wildlife on the lawns.
The wildlife on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is abundant and includes many endangered species such as black and white rhino, and the largest resident population of Grevy’s zebra in the world. Families of elephant have carved Sirikoi into their migratory routes and almost daily they can be seen just in front of the Sirikoi dining deck for hours at a time.
Sirikoi has always strived to operate in harmony with their beautiful environment. The lodge runs off solar power, taps all water from a natural spring, uses natural cleaning products and toiletries wherever possible, follows a strict recycling policy and grows their own fruits and vegetables. As a result of these efforts, Sirikoi has been honoured with a gold level Eco-rating for the last three years running.
The food at Sirikoi is always thoroughly enjoyed, and the farm-to-table experience is extraordinary. Meals are colourful, fresh and unpretentious. Guests are delighted by the simple and elegant home-styled cooking, and even more so when they see where most of the fresh produce comes from - the prolific vegetable garden. With spring water feeding the garden, naturally rich soil, organic elephant-dung fertilizer made on site, and equatorial sunshine, the garden produces an impressive number of fruits, vegetables and herbs – over 80 in fact – all year round.
A large team of 48 staff work tirelessly behind the scenes to look after just 18 guests when the lodge is full. Most of the staff are from the neighbouring villages close by and have worked at Sirikoi for years, developing and learning new skills along the way. There is a great sense of pride and enjoyment, which shines through the team’s cheerful service and attention to detail.
Accommodation at Sirikoi:
The Sirikoi House includes three en-suite bedrooms (a Master Suite and separate bedroom cottage with two en-suite bedrooms), which lead on to a central living and dining cottage renowned for its unique positioning and decor. There is a private deck built overlooking the wetland, perfect for private meals and sundowners. Sirikoi House is only sold on an exclusive use basis and comes with its own private safari vehicle and guide, as well as chef and team of staff. Guests at the Sirikoi House have the choice of private dining or having meals on the main Sirikoi deck. The House is sold exclusively for 6 guests.
The Sirikoi Cottage is perfect for with families with children or friends traveling together. The Cottage has two en-suite bedrooms with large bathrooms, a central living and dining room, and small kitchen. The shared living space opens out onto a spacious private deck from which to enjoy beautiful views of the waterhole. The Sirikoi Cottage is for 4 guests sold exclusively.
Each luxury tented room has a sitting area leading onto the outside deck, a large double bed or two single beds with a wardrobe behind the bed, a fireplace which is lit each evening, and an en-suite bathroom with a free-standing bath and rain shower with more beautiful views. The tents are sold individually.
Source- https://sirikoi.com/
- Solio Lodge
Solio is famed as a lodge in Kenya for its unique and mind-blowing rhino viewing experiences. Tucked in the valley between the lofty slopes of Mount Kenya and the peaks of the Aberdare Mountains, it is the only guest accommodation on the incredible 45,000-acre Solio Game Reserve. Internationally recognised as one of the most successful private rhino breeding sanctuaries in East Africa, visitors will find that sightings of up to 40 rhinoceros at a time are not uncommon. The wildlife experience here is intense and exclusive: 19,000 acres of conservancy surrounded by a 45,000-acre ranch and just one luxury lodge.
Solio Lodge comprises of five individual guest cottages, each one nestled amongst trees and foliage within Solio Game Conservancy. Each cottage takes full advantage of the spectacular wild surroundings, enjoying east-facing views through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows which frame the jagged peaks of Mount Kenya. Private sundecks look out onto the game sanctuary and provide tranquil and secluded spaces for guests to relax. Inside, each cottage is more than spacious. No Laikipia Lodge would be complete without a crackling fire in the hearth, so each room has its own open fireplace, perfect for cooler evenings and a cosy atmosphere. Large en-suite bathrooms contain double sinks, huge walk-in rain showers and free-standing bathtubs. Cottages 2, 3, 4 and 5 can be configured as doubles or twins, whilst Cottages 1 and 6 are doubles only. Cottage 3 is the best choice for guests with less mobility or for those in a wheelchair.
Source- https://www.thesafaricollection.com/
- The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille
Ol Lentille has four lavish private villas with discreet butler service and spectacular views set in a private conservation area of over 40,000 acres of stunning hills and valleys. This pristine private landscape is over three times the size of Manhattan and the guests the ultimate exclusivity and privacy. The Property is pioneering conservation and community project in partnership with the Samburu and Maasai communities at one of the highest points of Laikipia. Exclusivity, pristine game viewing, authentic cultural experiences, numerous activities and first-class hospitality are oared in abundance. Guests leave relaxed, refreshed and in awe of our special location and experiences.
Source- https://www.ol-lentille.com/
- Ol Malo Lodge
Ol Malo is perched high up on an escarpment overlooking 5000 acres of magical bush country, teeming with game and elusive antelope. Owned and run by the Francombe family Ol Malo offers true glimpse into the heart of life in Kenya and the lives of the nomadic Samburu tribe. Once a cherished home, this lodge is now the pinnacle of luxury in Laikipia, a world-renowned sanctuary for wild animals.
The lodge was built using natural materials, and is warm, hospitable and friendly – guests are made to feel at home from the outset, and everything is truly set up so you can do what you want when you want. Beautiful lawns run down to the cliff edge, to provide a stunning view of the watering hole below which is a hive of activity for the resident wildlife.
Each cottage has a private veranda and the swimming pool adds to the beauty and comfort, as a quick dip cools those hot days. Large picture windows in each room frame the vast ever-changing landscape and provide unlimited views of soaring eagles, wildlife on the plains, and the African sky. Activities include everything from fishing, to horse riding, to game drives, as well as a fascinating and friendly cultural aspect, which is a must see, as the characterful Samburu tribe welcome you into their home and land. The Ol Malo Trust is a successful organization which was set up in response to the great hardships to the community, caused by drought and other issues, the Ol Malo Trust makes accurate and continuous assessment of the local community’s needs, and by raising money, provides funding to install wells, schools and medical practices.
Source- https://olmalo.com/
- Governor Mugie House
Set on a private conservancy, Governors’ Mugie House offers a myriad of activities by which to explore and enjoy Laikipia’s vast open landscapes and rare northern rangeland species.
Governors’ Mugie House is the latest addition to the Governors’ Camp Collection, and perfectly combines with our other properties, expanding an already diverse array of wildlife locations and activities. The location is Mugie Conservancy, a private wildlife conservancy in Laikipia of almost 50’000 acres hosting an array of impactful community and conservation programs. Perched on a hill are eight stone cottages, each with sweeping views of the Laikipia landscape. A large main house with open log fires hosts guests for relaxing cocktails and scrumptious meals, prepared from a creative menu with ingredients sourced from our own vegetable garden. An infinity pool offers lovely shaded areas and a casual alfresco dining area, while a waterhole set in front of Mugie House attracts a variety of wildlife that comes to drink. Guests can also make the most of Mugie Conservancy’s nine-hole golf course, which is perfect for enjoying a round between travel companions or alongside other golf-loving guests of ours. Securing land for wildlife is a key conservation imperative in Africa today and Mugie Conservancy provides a key wildlife access route between the Laikipia plateau, the Mathews Range and the Samburu lands to the north and east. Vast acacia-dotted savannahs, olive forests and scrubby bush are a haven to a multitude of wildlife in plentiful numbers, including key endemic northern Kenyan species such as Grevy’s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest and reticulated giraffe.
Source- https://www.governorscamp.com/
- Borana Lodge
Borana Lodge is steeped in history and style. Located at the heart of Borana Conservancy, Kenya’s newest and most successful rhino sanctuary, Borana Lodge is set against a beautiful hillside with an organic design and panoramic views. In 2007, the Dyer family, who founded Borana Lodge, made a conscious and important decision to commit all retained earnings from the commercial activities on Borana Conservancy to supporting the increased costs of conservation.
The Lodge was established in 1993 as one of the original small eco-lodges in East Africa. It has since been the prime economic driver that has enabled Borana Conservancy to secure vital habitat for endangered species. At a time in our history when Rhino poaching was at its worst and sanctuaries were closing, we committed additional secure habitat for Rhino and to underwrite all core conservation costs long into the future. By staying at Borana Lodge you are making a direct contribution to conservation, allowing us to continue on our truly sustainable journey, committing all profits to securing conservation integrity.
Borana Lodge has four stand-alone cottages with exceptional views. Each of these cottages are unique, designed with the hillside in mind, not forgetting the finer details which make for true comfort. Two further cottages provide the perfect refuge for families; a sitting room is shared between a double and a twin so parents can rest assured their children are safe in the room next door.
Four rooms have large double beds and four have queen-size twin beds. Each cottage is built out of rock and cedar with a thatched roof. They all have open fireplaces, lit each evening with a basket of sustainably sourced firewood nearby along with verandas with breath-taking views. The bathrooms are spacious and have both baths and showers which look out over the wilds of Africa.
Source- https://www.borana.co.ke
- Sabuk Lodge
Sabuk is remote and beautiful…an exclusive wilderness haven on the edge of the Northern Laikipia Plateau. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River, which cascades beneath the lodge all year round. Sabuk, which remains a family home, offers wilderness and stunning views of the Laikipia plains towards Mount Kenya, as well as the Karisa Hills and Mathews Mountains in the North.
The lodge consists of 4 cottages, as well as one family room and one family house. All the rooms are open-fronted with stunning views of the river below and valley opposite, and have en-suite bathrooms which meld into the natural rock face. There is also Eagle Cottage which is separate and more exclusive to the other rooms, consisting one double bed, 1 twin and a private plunge pool and dining area.
Sabuk is renowned for its camel safaris, which can be half a day with a picnic, or a longer safari with the fly-camp. Day and night game drives as well as great bush walks with local Samburu and Laikipia guides - Sabuk is well known for their friendly and memorable guides! Bush meals are also an option as part of guest's guided walks or game drives. Seasonally, river fishing, tubing and rock jumping are also available activities.
Source- https://www.theluxurysafaricompany.com/ & Photos by Vannesa Knight
- Loisaba Star Beds
Poised on a rocky kopje, the Loisaba Star Beds command sweeping views over an undulating valley and a permanent waterhole, frequented by resident wildlife. Handcrafted four-poster wooden beds sit on raised wooden platforms jutting out from a thatched-roof accommodation and are rolled out each night for guests to enjoy the most memorable sleep under the endless African sky.
Rustically designed to complement the surrounding environment, each star bed is individually built-in harmony with the natural rocky features, incorporating a sitting area, and open plan bathroom with a view. A team of traditional Samburu & Laikipia Maasai warriors welcome and host you with their customary warm African hospitality. Rising early to watch sunrise from your Star Bed with a comforting hot beverage, the day ahead promises adventure, with a myriad of activities by which to experience Loisaba. A day of fun is rounded off with drinks by the log fire in the Star Beds lounge, sharing tall tales of the African bush, with the tale-telling continuing over a delicious shared dinner. Loisaba Star Beds is a truly authentic and intimate African experience.
Loisaba is a 57,000-acre conservancy within Laikipia County that is owned by Loisaba Community Trust, a Kenyan Trust incorporated under the Perpetual Succession of Trustees Act, and is committed to wildlife and ecological conservation. The Loisaba mission is to protect and enhance critical wildlife diversity, abundance and habitat in the Loisaba landscape, which sits on the western edge of one of Kenya’s most important elephant movement corridors, while concurrently supporting sustainable livestock production and improving the lives of neighbouring communities.
Source- https://elewanacollection.com/
- Enasoit
Enasoit Camp has 8 rooms: 6 tented cottages and 1 family tent with 2 interconnecting rooms. The rooms are situated around the waterhole, which attracts a busy array of wildlife, easily visible from the tent verandas. The tents are carefully constructed using canvas and local materials, combining the romance of living ‘under canvas’ with the comfort of a permanent structure. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom, wooden floors, a sitting area with a fireplace and private verandas. Life in camp revolves around the open-sided Mess Tent, which overlooks the waterhole. By day, the Mess Tent offers a comfortable shaded spot from which to enjoy the wildlife and views across the plain. At night, a campfire is lit in front of the Mess Tent for pre-dinner drinks and sightings of Enasoit’s nocturnal wildlife.
Source- https://enasoitcollection.com/
To book- contact us on info@letsdiscovertravel.com
