Reviews of The Emakoko
Wildlife sightings and reviews
128 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited The Emakoko and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
73% success
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86% success
86% success
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"Two Nights at the Emakoko to Start"
Our assigned guide, Elizaban, also met us at the airport and drove us to the lodge. As it was low season (late January), there was only one other couple at the lodge, so our game drive the next day was private, and the level of guiding was excellent. The food was uniformly good and the staff was incredibly friendly. Our Safarilink departure the next day was at 10:00 AM, and our guide transported us to Wilson Airport, giving us a mini-game drive en route.
By the time we left, we were well-rested from our long flight schedule from the U.S. Even better, we were already in the safari groove. Staying at the Emakoko was definitely the right call for us and provided a great start to our trip." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
"Great place, perfect location, divine Emakoko"
The staff were many and attentive. The rooms were large and beautiful. The food and wine was excellent. And the safaris and excursions were perfectly organized.
This is an absolute must. It couldn't be bettered." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
"Day room at Emakoko"
"Very nice, albeit brief, stay"
Very nice accommodation, lovely staff, good food and very convenient in Nairobi National Park" See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya
"The Emakoko review"
"The Emakoko Lodge Experience"
The staff at Emakoko Lodge were very friendly and helpful and eager to chat to me. One person insisted on taking my blouse, shoes, hat and crutch to clean after I had been spattered with red mud by an elephant.
I liked the peace and tranquility of the area and the natural surroundings and I was very content to be staying at the Emakoko Lodge. I enjoyed the Game Drives and the driver managed to find two lionesses with a total of five playful cubs which was a bonus. The sight of over a hundred storks roosting in trees was a sight I would never have imagined.
Regarding my very nice accommodation, I would have liked to have had the window/s or verandah door open but because of the invasion by destructive monkeys it was inadvisable The chef was good and produced some interesting meals the recipes for which he is happy to share with guests. Each evening during dinner a 'pet' genet appears to eat her dish of food, one evening with her kitten.
My driver took me to visit the elephant orphanage which I thought was very good but my visit to the Giraffe Centre was disappointing: I did not want to be kissed or licked by the giraffes and in a roundabout way I felt they were being coaxed to be undignified with the bribes of food pellets, although I do understand the Centre is a way for schoolchildren to get to know about giraffes, and there were plenty of schoolchildren there eagerly awaiting to meet the giraffes 'face-to-face'.
As an aside, I was amused to find that at the Lodge the hyrax had a fondness for rose flower heads and when nobody was around left a bunch of headless stalks in the vases." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
"Surpisingly Good"
"Nairobi Safari Stay"
They took excellent care of me, from picking me up at the airport, to providing food and company, the guiding was excellent on the game drives, etc.
Those who worked there remembered me from two years ago.
I felt right at home. I will return again." See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya
"A haven peace, a 20 min drive from Wilson"
We were looking for an unwind after a hectic time in Nairobi and a short safari and the setting is ideal. The rooms are well appointed and spacious though ours was starting to look a little tired (an observation, not a complaint). We went up to the upper level and the views from the cottages up there are excellent. However, as we were round about the lodge for a full day and a half and going to/from the mess area/room/pool regularly I'm very grateful that Richard at Expert travel suggested the lower level!
We were there for a relaxing couple of days rather than the tourist bit but we did take one game drive. Elizaban our guide was very good (ex Elsa's Kopje). We saw a male and female lion, rhino, and many plains game. Just a couple of vehicles seen in the distance so we had that part of the park (the SW) to ourselves. In camp we had the resident hippo strolling across the grass in front of the room one morning, a couple of bushbuck nipping about in the thickets and a wealth of birdlife. Elizaban drove us in to Karen to a very new and impressive mall for some shopping, and later to the evening sponsor's session at Daphne Sheldrick's Elephant orphanage.
We also took an hour or so's morning walk with a guide, from the lodge along the river bank and then round up onto the top.
The food is first class, as is the service all round, staff friendly and attentive without being intrusive. Anton and Emma are hands on owners, relaxed and knowledgeable hosts and very good company. We had a very pleasant stay and unwind away from the traffic and hubbub of Nairobi, and are happy to recommend Emakoko as an ideal starting and/or departing point for a safari holiday in Kenya." See all these reviews: 3n in Kenya
"The Emakoko review"
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Other lodges in Nairobi
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Four Points Nairobi Airport
The Four Points by Sheraton, set within the perimeter of Nairobi International Airport, is ideally located for a first or last night in Kenya.
Eka Hotel
The Eka is an affordably priced business-class hotel in a relatively convenient location between Nairobi International Airport and Wilson Airport.
Crowne Plaza Nbi Apt
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Ole-Sereni
The Ole-Sereni is a modern, stylish hotel neighbouring Nairobi National Park and located 6km from Wilson domestic airport.
Macushla House
Macushla House is a very pleasant, small, owner-managed bed and breakfast hotel in a leafy part of southwest Nairobi, very convenient for visiting the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage.
Giraffe Manor
Giraffe Manor is a unique, perennially popular lodge on the outskirts of Nairobi, offering up-close-and-personal encounters with the rare Rothschild giraffes that roam its extensive grounds.
Tamarind Tree Hotel
The Tamarind Tree is a stylish international hotel in a great location next to Wilson Airport.
Aero Club of East Africa
The Aero Club of East Africa is a private members' club in the grounds of Wilson Airport, Nairobi, offering offering comfortable rooms and a good restaurant, bar and swimming pool to non-members.
Karen Gables
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Hemingways Nairobi
Hemingways Nairobi is a luxury country-house style hotel, with a spa and gym, in the wealthy suburb of Karen.
The Norfolk Hotel
The Norfolk Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in Nairobi and has a reputation for its colourful history dating back to 1904.
Nairobi Tented Camp
Nairobi Tented Camp is the only tented camp located inside Nairobi National Park, making it a great option for a true safari stay close to the city and airports.
Sankara
Sankara is a strikingly built hotel in the bustling central Nairobi suburb of Westlands, primarily used as a business stay, with very good dining and leisure facilities.
Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and Cottages
Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens and Cottages is small luxury boutique hotel located in the peaceful suburb of Karen.
Eden Nairobi
One Forty Eight is a very stylish boutique hotel in one of the leafiest corners of the southwest Nairobi suburb of Karen-Langata. The Giraffe Centre at Giraffe Manor is just a 10-minute walk away.
Ololo Safari Lodge
Ololo Safari Lodge and Farm is a luxury property on the southern edge of Nairobi National Park.
Tribe
Design-led, contemporary hotel in the Village Market area of Gigiri, a largely diplomatic and luxury residential suburb 10km north of Nairobi’s central business district.
The Stanley
The Stanley is a large, traditional hotel – the oldest in Nairobi – offering a range of facilities.
Acacia Camp
Acacia Camp is a rustic and affordable safari camp in a wildlife sanctuary a 30-minute drive towards Mombasa from Nairobi’s international airport.
