As Kenya is on the up again we thought we’d do a little something on all the amazing Nairobi hotels which are popping up – they really are fantastic and offer a chance to have a nice stay before heading out on your luxury Kenya safari, rather than just putting up with an overnight in an airport hotel. We write about a couple of the old favourites and a couple of new ones which are worth looking at. The fact that the luxury safari industry is investing in Nairobi and Kenya again is such a positive thing as one just can’t get away from the fact that safaris in Kenya just are the best – there’s so much variety, and the charm and warmth of the camps is unrivalled anywhere else in Africa. Here are a few of our favourite start or end points for any luxury safari in Kenya.

Giraffe Manor is world famous, it is without doubt the only place in the world where one may well wake up with a giraffe with his nose in your face – yes that’s correct, the endangered Rotschild giraffe which live on site poke their heads through the windows in the hope of a handful of nuts. The house itself is steeped in Kenyan history and has beautiful views of those famous Out of Africa Ngong Hills. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and one definitely feels as if you have been welcomed into a little part of Kenyan history.

Ngong House

Ngong House is very quirky but has a warm heart which makes it a wonderful way to start your luxury safari – there are lovely cosy rooms in the main lodge or the popular treehouses which sit out in the bush and are unique and fun. One even has a bathtub made out of an old traditional boat and the verandahs facing the Ngong Hills are the perfect place to sit and anticipate your forthcoming safari. You feel like you’re instantly in Africa and that’s important, no messing around with airport hotels or large unsightly lodges.

Emakoko

The Emakoko is the newest hotel to set Nairobi on fire – it is based in Nairobi National Park itself, with easy and close access to the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, a must when in Nairobi. The lodge is very luxurious and offers excellent game viewing from the moment you arrive, including the very rare black rhino. It’s location also means that you miss much of the Nairobi traffic when you are on your way in and out of the International or domestic airport. This is an excellent start for those on an ultra chic luxury safari.

Nairobi Tented Camp

This luxury tented camp based within the Nairobi National Park is also a fab start if you want to hit the ground running and go from beginning to end in the bush – your luxury Kenya safari starts from the moment you land when you stay here and you will be thrown into it by starting in a very comfortable and friendly camp which feels wild and remote despite it’s excellent location for the airports.

House of Waine

House of Waine is a family owned and run small boutique hotel which is the perfect brief stop for those wanting comfort and luxury without an enormous price tag – you really do get value for money here as it’s extremely comfortable with enormous rooms and very friendly and warm staff.