East Africa Destinations for Luxury Travellers

By 829 Studios Admin August 1, 2020

While there are strokes of luxury in every Micato safari, we have a few suggestions for those who are looking for an ultra-luxe East Africa safari experience. Whether it’s superb game viewing, cultural enlightenment, exquisite houses, sumptuous amenities, or a mixture of all four, Micato knows how to deliver for luxury travellers. Take a look at a few of the magnificent places we can take you that simply ooze opulence. 

Kifaru House in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Let’s talk about Kifaru House. If you’re looking for decadence, ensure your East Africa safari includes a stay at this spectacular abode. Comprised of five thatched-roof cottages, Kifaru House is ideal for families and is outfitted top to bottom with all the modern amenities you’d expect. A four-poster king-sized bed adorns each bedroom in addition to cozy sitting areas, a tiled lanai, a library complete with engaging books on East Africa, dining and sitting rooms, a curated bar, a heated infinity pool, and a massage room. To top it off, it provides an excellent view of Mount Kenya to the south. 

Visiting Kifaru House isn’t all about the house either, as the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is literally bursting with options for safari-goers. The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a mixture of highland forests and grasslands that houses roughly 440 bird species, iconic African animals, and Lewa’s fiercely protected white and black rhinos. In addition to game drives, you’ll also have the chance to embark on guided evening horseback rides to further enjoy the Lewa’s stunning landscape or take a Canopy Walk in the Ngare Ndare Forest Conservancy where you’ll mingle among birds and monkeys. Above all, you will be able to meet and interact with the Maasai people to see first hand how the conservancy’s Community Development Programme improves their every day lives. If lending a hand, doing good, and getting involved with the programme is your thing, you’ll have the chance to do so while here in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. If you’re going on a safari to East Africa, we strongly suggest you consider staying at Kifaru House. 

Arijiju in the Laikipia Plateau

Arijiju is absolutely divine. Considered one of the most beautiful homes in Africa, Arijiju is thoughtful luxury dialed to 11. Located within the Borana Conservancy, this home consists of five majestic suites, an additional “constellation suite” for sleeping beneath the night sky, clay tennis courts, gardens, its very own spa, a gym, a game room, a terraced pool, a library, an amazing resident chef, and a staff of 14. It’s resplendent with vaulted archways, copper bathtubs, walk-in fireplaces, and even its own helipad. Honestly, this place has it all. It would be a shame to go on a luxury safari in East Africa and not have it include a lengthy stay at Arijiju. 

A full view of the formal living room.

While it may feel tempting to spend all of your time enjoying Arijiju, the Borana Conservancy and the surrounding Laikipia Plateau beckon. Arijiju’s location within the private Borana Conservancy allows for completely private game drives where you’ll spot the conservancy’s very healthy elephants and rhinos, flamingos on the shores of Lake Bogoria, and the Big Five. Additionally, you’ll have the option of taking a helicopter ride among the slopes of Mount Kenya, meeting with the local Samburu people at the Samburu Singing Wells, and visiting the Reteti Elephant Orphanage. There’s so much more to do when staying at the luxurious Arijiju than just enjoying the house. However, if you wish to stay behind and pore over the impressive library or walk among the olive groves, we wouldn’t blame you.

Laragai House in the Borana Conservancy

Built by brothers Michael and Valentine Cecil as a country retreat, the Laragai House in the private Borana Conservancy is splendid African luxury. The home includes eight bedrooms and is perfect for families who are looking for varying degrees of privacy during their safari in East Africa. All rooms offer their own personality and a view of the Laikipia Plateau. The drawing room is one of the home’s greatest features and will serve as a common meeting area. While here, you can enjoy sundowners and gaze upon the elephants, lions, and Cape buffalo that gather at the watering hole just outside the drawing room’s windows. It can be a silently stunning experience. Also available to you in Laragai House is a grand dining room, a clay tennis court, a spa, a gym, nannies for families with young ones (or space for your own nanny), a pool set above a lake, a resident chef, and its very own airstrip for private flyers. 

a pool at Laragai House

Aside from the marvelous accommodations of Laragai House, there’s plenty more on offer here. With the Borana Conservancy being only second to the Maasai Mara in terms of biodiversity, the game drives near Laragai House are a stretch above fantastic. Housing Kenya’s largest populations of endangered species, you’ll stand to encounter black rhinos, Grevy’s zebra, fascinating reticulated giraffes, Lelwel hartebeest, and rare wild dogs. If you desire to get more intimate with the landscape, you can set out on horseback safari, go quad biking, or fly high on a helicopter ride to Kenya’s northern areas. A stay at Laragai House is distinctly East African. 

Envelop Yourself in Luxury on a Safari to East Africa 

No matter if you choose to stay at one of these houses or all three, the experience is sure to be wonderfully unforgettable. As of August 1, 2020, travellers have been welcome back in East Africa, so get the conversation and planning started with one of our Safari Specialists. We promise our team here Micato will provide the adventure of a lifetime.

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