Camps & Lodges

Norfolk Hotel

The essence of luxury since 1904, the Norfolk is the legendary hotel from which many safaris have embarked. The spirit of past adventurers such as Teddy Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway linger romantically in the air here, particularly on the Delamere Terrace where explorers and locals alike have gathered for drinks and safari tales for generations. And of course, the hotel features everything you’d expect from a world-class property: impeccably-appointed rooms, a health club with gym, sauna and steam room, beauty salon and book shop to name just a few. Renovated in 2004, the hotel combines the best of both worlds—modern elegance and old-world charm for a completely luxe safari experience.

Mara Safari Club

Brilliantly renovated, the Mara Safari Club by Fairmont Hotels is the newest jewel in the Mara. Magnificent tents feature lush appointments, four-poster beds and private verandas overlooking hippos bobbing and snorting in the river below. The main lodge is Africa at its most elegant, with stunning artwork, tapestries and dramatic architecture all prominently displayed. A large deck on the exterior follows the curve of the river, creating enchanting seating areas with superb river views. A swimming pool provides additional relaxation.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

A Maasai theme dominates this remarkable escape in the African wilds. The lodge’s terracotta colours and rounded shapes resemble a traditional dwelling, and the decor uses natural materials in unusual ways, reminiscent of the Maasai way of harmonizing all things with nature. The pool, main bar and outdoor terraces overlook the green grass of the lodge’s waterhole, where herds of elephant, wildebeest and antelope graze just a few feet away under a floodlight at night.

Ol Tukai Lodge

Ol Tukai offers a panorama of landscape, sky and wildlife with the massive majesty of snow-capped Mt. Kilimajaro in the distance. The lodge is camouflaged in a forest of fever trees and palms, with spacious guest chalets built from local gum trees and pale slate, and featuring a sitting area and bedroom. Impressive wooden walkways cross green lawns leading to the airy main lodge, artfully designed using natural materials. There is a lovely swimming pool and an open-air bar dramatically positioned to overlook the wetlands.

Lake Manyara Serena Lodge

It is difficult to imagine a more spectacular setting for Lake Manyara Serena Lodge: on the edge of the Escarpment, overlooking the Great Rift Valley and the stunning Manyara soda lake with its masses of pink flamingos. The abundant birdlife of the park inspired the design of the lodge, with swooping curves complemented by soft geometric patterns. Guest accommodations are pleasing whitewashed "rondavels" with thatched roofs on the outside and colourful furnishings on the inside.

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

An architectural marvel, the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge is built on the rim of the undisturbed eastern side of the crater. Designed to reflect the vastness of the African bush, it has no conventional windows, instead featuring huge walls of glass in both the public areas and guest suites. The breathtaking panorama of the crater—not to mention the luminous sunset—is brought into the very heart of the lodge. Guest accommodations are suites that include a spacious solarium overlooking the crater.

Mount Kenya Safari Club

Set in over 100 acres of landscaped gardens, the Mount Kenya Safari Club is a legend unto itself. Originally a private home during the “White Mischief” period of the 1930s, actor William Holden turned it into an exclusive club with Winston Churchill, Bing Crosby, Clark Gable and Conrad Hilton amongst its founding members. Micato travellers receive upgraded Club Level accommodations in splendidly renovated rooms offering postcard-perfect views. Activities range from swimming, golfing and horseback riding to tennis, fishing and exploring the animal orphanage housed here.

Serengeti Sopa Lodge

Another magnificent property, styled after a traditional Maasai manyatta or village.Blending in with the sun-bleached colours of the Serengeti, floor-to-ceiling windows bring the awesome spectacle of the vast savannah into this lodge. In the multi-level reception and dining areas, lofty ceilings and walls of glass create a stunning visual effect. Guest rooms are luxurious suites with private sitting areas and open balconies overlooking the plains.

Kichwa Tembo Camp

This camp offers one of the most stunning settings in Kenya, with its broad lawn, cactus gardens and seemingly infinite vistas of the savannah beyond. Kichwa's tents are spacious and comfortable with verandas opening to sweeping Mara views or secluded forested scenes alive with birds and monkeys. The main lodge is pavilion-style under a high, thatched roof and a particularly lovely place to dine with a view. The secluded swimming pool and surrounding lawn with chairs and loungers also face the golden savannah that stretches forever.