Reviews of Macushla House
Wildlife sightings and reviews
53 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Macushla House and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Mr & Ms B
Florida, US
"Macushla House review"
3 nights Arrived 25 Sep 2023
"This was a perfect way to start our safari in Kenya. This small hotel is located in a quiet neighborhood called Karen (after Karen Blixen) Southwest of the city center. It is very close to some popular attractions, such as Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Center, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and the Karen Blixen House and Museum.
We are aware that many people try to avoid Nairobi, but we spent 3 nights here, and we don’t regret it for one second. A big Thank You is owed to our private guides Stanley and Kevin of Southern Cross Safaris who drove us around town and had interesting stories to tell.
Of the four attractions listed above, we only visited the Karen Blixen House, because we figured we would see plenty of animals elsewhere in the country, and we were dead on. Instead, we went to visit the National Museum of Kenya (highly recommended), the National Archives and we did a walking tour through the city center. Very crowded, very noisy, very hectic, but still, it was worth it.
Our hotel with its lovely yard and swimming pool provided the perfect setting for recovering from the city traffic downtown. They even have a pet cat named Sweet Pea, which was trying to make friends with us while having a drink after dinner." See all these reviews: 20n in Kenya
We are aware that many people try to avoid Nairobi, but we spent 3 nights here, and we don’t regret it for one second. A big Thank You is owed to our private guides Stanley and Kevin of Southern Cross Safaris who drove us around town and had interesting stories to tell.
Of the four attractions listed above, we only visited the Karen Blixen House, because we figured we would see plenty of animals elsewhere in the country, and we were dead on. Instead, we went to visit the National Museum of Kenya (highly recommended), the National Archives and we did a walking tour through the city center. Very crowded, very noisy, very hectic, but still, it was worth it.
Our hotel with its lovely yard and swimming pool provided the perfect setting for recovering from the city traffic downtown. They even have a pet cat named Sweet Pea, which was trying to make friends with us while having a drink after dinner." See all these reviews: 20n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Mrs R
Bath
"Macushla House review"
2 nights Arrived 16 Aug 2022
"The staff were very attentive and helpful.
The food was tasty, but we did think that the picnics provided for our day out were rather expensive. The picnics were good, but cost about the same as our evening meal which was a little surprising.
We arrived late at night and they were extremely welcoming." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
The food was tasty, but we did think that the picnics provided for our day out were rather expensive. The picnics were good, but cost about the same as our evening meal which was a little surprising.
We arrived late at night and they were extremely welcoming." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Feedback Response
Macushla House contacted Expert Africa to say how delighted they were that these guests enjoyed their stay and appreciated the warm welcome. But they were very sorry about the muddle over the cost of their picnic lunches. They admitted they got this wrong and accidentally overcharged them, and they sent a partial refund to Expert Africa which we passed on to these travellers.
Mr & Mrs B.
Arizona
"Macushla House review"
2 nights Arrived 21 Jul 2022
"Macushla House was terrific. Staff (particularly Peter, Millicent & Stephen) were extremely attentive, kind & warm.
Our meals (breakfast & dinner) were delicious. Room accommodations (Room # 6 and a day room on our return) were both very nice. Lovely, welcoming property. We really felt "taken care of" there, particularly after having traveled so long to get there (all the way from the U.S.), and then again after our 8 nights away on safari. Very, very relaxing. We would absolutely stay there again.
One particular event deserves special note: We arranged (from our final camp stay at Sala's Camp) to have a last night's dinner @ Macushla House with friends from Nairobi the night of our departure flight. Peter & Millicent were particularly accommodating to us and our guests. They even helped me make phone contact with our guests (when they were a bit late in arriving), and then physically aided/helped the woman of the couple (who was a bit ambulatory challenged because of age).
Their warmth & kindness was SO genuine! They each deserve very high praise; they are wonderful people! (And, of course, the food & wine that evening were excellent.)" See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Our meals (breakfast & dinner) were delicious. Room accommodations (Room # 6 and a day room on our return) were both very nice. Lovely, welcoming property. We really felt "taken care of" there, particularly after having traveled so long to get there (all the way from the U.S.), and then again after our 8 nights away on safari. Very, very relaxing. We would absolutely stay there again.
One particular event deserves special note: We arranged (from our final camp stay at Sala's Camp) to have a last night's dinner @ Macushla House with friends from Nairobi the night of our departure flight. Peter & Millicent were particularly accommodating to us and our guests. They even helped me make phone contact with our guests (when they were a bit late in arriving), and then physically aided/helped the woman of the couple (who was a bit ambulatory challenged because of age).
Their warmth & kindness was SO genuine! They each deserve very high praise; they are wonderful people! (And, of course, the food & wine that evening were excellent.)" See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Mrs B
Kent
"Macushla House review; Welcoming to kenya!"
4 nights Arrived 11 Jul 2022
"Our Welcome by the lovely Stephen and Peter made me so glad to be back in Kenya. After a long & delayed flight we arrived from the airport very late and yet were still greeted warmly. A full dinner was cooked freshly (we were very hungry!).
The food was always excellent. We ate one evening at the Talisman restaurant which, although was a nice change in environment, we found the food was just as good at Macushla. When we went out early for Safari one day, it was no trouble for our breakfast to be made early and we could package it up for our picnic. Morning tea was brought out to us at the cottage at our request; heavenly.
The main house was comfortably furnished with interesting books on the coffee table and some interesting things to admire. There was a roaring fire (much needed as it was really chilly) with comfy sofas. The resident cats and monkeys were a complete delight. The garden was attractive; too cold to use the pool.
The cottage was cute, with a comfortable day bed on the verandah and lamu-style daybed in the lounge area. Our main criticism is the showers and bathroom temperature. A heated towel rail would make a big difference to take the edge off the chill when taking a shower. The showers could do with a bit more pressure. Perhaps a small log burner could be installed in the cottage lounge. The air was very chilly and damp down that end (it took 3 days for a t-shirt I rinsed some coffee from to dry). I don't remember it being quite so cold in July before. The chill did impact our enjoyment of our stay a little.
All in all we would definitely return to Macushla and would hope that the wonderful Peter and Stephen would still be there." See all these reviews: 17n in Kenya
The food was always excellent. We ate one evening at the Talisman restaurant which, although was a nice change in environment, we found the food was just as good at Macushla. When we went out early for Safari one day, it was no trouble for our breakfast to be made early and we could package it up for our picnic. Morning tea was brought out to us at the cottage at our request; heavenly.
The main house was comfortably furnished with interesting books on the coffee table and some interesting things to admire. There was a roaring fire (much needed as it was really chilly) with comfy sofas. The resident cats and monkeys were a complete delight. The garden was attractive; too cold to use the pool.
The cottage was cute, with a comfortable day bed on the verandah and lamu-style daybed in the lounge area. Our main criticism is the showers and bathroom temperature. A heated towel rail would make a big difference to take the edge off the chill when taking a shower. The showers could do with a bit more pressure. Perhaps a small log burner could be installed in the cottage lounge. The air was very chilly and damp down that end (it took 3 days for a t-shirt I rinsed some coffee from to dry). I don't remember it being quite so cold in July before. The chill did impact our enjoyment of our stay a little.
All in all we would definitely return to Macushla and would hope that the wonderful Peter and Stephen would still be there." See all these reviews: 17n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Activities:
Good
Ms U.
Toronto
"Macushla House review"
2 nights Arrived 4 Mar 2022
"A beautiful place with the most hospitable staff. The four of us were booked into 2 rooms, but because they had availability, they gave us an extra room so that my son and I could each have single room to ourselves, and the girls shared . It was most welcome since we were arriving from Canada after about 20 hours in transit.
In addition, we arrived at midnight, and were very hungry. The chef made us our requested food (pretty sure he got out of bed for this). Again, that was much appreciated.
It was the perfect place to ease into the safari with great food, quiet rooms, and lovely staff. Everyone was so welcoming, and told us how much they appreciated our business." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
In addition, we arrived at midnight, and were very hungry. The chef made us our requested food (pretty sure he got out of bed for this). Again, that was much appreciated.
It was the perfect place to ease into the safari with great food, quiet rooms, and lovely staff. Everyone was so welcoming, and told us how much they appreciated our business." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
E & D
New Mexico
"Love this quaint and quiet place"
1 night Arrived 21 Dec 2020
"If you really want peace and quiet in Nairobi, a bit of a rare commodity, this place is for you. It is tucked away in a corner of the Karen neighborhood, close to Giraffe Manor and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi orphanage.
The kitchen staff was very kind to prepare a big picnic lunch for us and our guide so we could stay out in Nairobi National Park all day. The style of the property is Colonial, and the public areas include a sitting room with wifi, two dining areas, a living room with a big fireplace, and lovely gardens around the pool." See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
The kitchen staff was very kind to prepare a big picnic lunch for us and our guide so we could stay out in Nairobi National Park all day. The style of the property is Colonial, and the public areas include a sitting room with wifi, two dining areas, a living room with a big fireplace, and lovely gardens around the pool." See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Dr Z
USA
"Macushla comes with monkeys!"
2 nights Arrived 29 Nov 2019
"Macushla House is a funky B&B with monkeys in the yard and a great location.
Breakfast was quite good, we felt pressured into dinner which was far less good and rather expensive. Location is excellent for visiting Giraffe Center.
It was raining when we were there, so we didn’t get to use the pool and patio, which looked lovely." See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
Breakfast was quite good, we felt pressured into dinner which was far less good and rather expensive. Location is excellent for visiting Giraffe Center.
It was raining when we were there, so we didn’t get to use the pool and patio, which looked lovely." See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Mrs Jana
Berlin
"A perfect stay in Nairobi"
1 night Arrived 8 Nov 2019
"It was so excellent, that I booked a second night after the safari. Delicious food, nice location, very quit, super people."
See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs K & 5
Maryland
"Macushla House review"
1 night Arrived 19 Aug 2019
"Due to a late arriving Safarilink plane, we didn't get as much time at Macushla House as we were hoping. We had really looked forward to some relaxing by the pool and on their patio.
What time we did have there was lovely - drinks in the bar shooing away the monkey, a HUGE dinner which was very good, a HUGE breakfast and a nice chat with other guests. The beds were comfortable, the bathrooms large and nice and the showers long! Just wish we had had more time to enjoy the property, the little boardwalk to watch the monkeys and the pool.
The location was not ideal if you wanted to go back out for a meal. Once we got there, we decided not to leave." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
What time we did have there was lovely - drinks in the bar shooing away the monkey, a HUGE dinner which was very good, a HUGE breakfast and a nice chat with other guests. The beds were comfortable, the bathrooms large and nice and the showers long! Just wish we had had more time to enjoy the property, the little boardwalk to watch the monkeys and the pool.
The location was not ideal if you wanted to go back out for a meal. Once we got there, we decided not to leave." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
E & D
New Mexico
"Quiet place to land"
2 nights Arrived 17 Jan 2019
"I couldn't imagine a more prefect place to spend a few nights in Nairobi.
This gem of an old manor house has a beautiful garden, lovely colonial-style furnishings and just exudes a feeling of graciousness.
The quiet at night was a great treat after many long hours of travel and just in case you woke up forgetting where you were, a troop of some 40 black-faced vervet monkeys clambered across the roof in the morning." See all these reviews: 18n in Kenya
This gem of an old manor house has a beautiful garden, lovely colonial-style furnishings and just exudes a feeling of graciousness.
The quiet at night was a great treat after many long hours of travel and just in case you woke up forgetting where you were, a troop of some 40 black-faced vervet monkeys clambered across the roof in the morning." See all these reviews: 18n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
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