African Finfoot Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day

The Emakoko is a unique, owner-managed lodge that opened in 2012. It straddles the southern boundary of Nairobi National Park, marked by the gorge of the Mbagathi River in an area where three rivers converge. The lodge has the national park's much underrated game-viewing areas on its doorstep and easy access to both Nairobi's airports.

"Beautiful room, and the service was awesome, and the food delicious!"

CB from IowafromUSA

Arrived 6 Feb 2024, 1 night

For a Nairobi hotel, The Emakoko is a very special place. We have stayed here many times since it opened; there is a palpable buzz about it that is infectious. We had to keep reminding ourselves that we were only a few miles from central Nairobi. The location is spectacular, and the opportunity to make a wildlife-watching virtue out of the transfer through the park to either of the airports – often a traffic-jammed torment from most hotels – is an outstanding asset. See our full report on The Emakoko

Sirikoi is a small, high-quality camp in Lewa with a sustainable ethos and top-notch wildlife, guiding, service and food. One of the most luxurious tented camps in Kenya, Sirikoi is the brainchild and passion of Sue Roberts and her late husband Willie. The Roberts – central figures in the Kenya safari tradition – have poured their decades of experience and enthusiasm into this outstanding camp in the Lewa Conservancy, and their influence shows in every aspect.

With only a handful of tents and private cottages, Sirikoi offers a very high-quality, personal experience, combining zealous attention to detail with an unpretentious set-up, excellent food and friendly staff. The Sirikoi stream gives the camp its name, and creates the marshy ground, shaded by majestic acacias, which forms the panorama you gaze on from the lawn.

White rhinos, elephants and many other species are often seen by the natural waterhole and salt lick, and all the rolling hills and grassland of the Lewa Conservancy are yours to explore as soon you leave camp. Sirikoi is renowned for its commitment to sustainable principles, and they generate all their electricity with solar panels.

"Unbelievable place - camp is as good as it gets on all levels! Outstanding..."

Mr. & Mrs. C fromUSA

Arrived 5 Jan 2023, 3 nights

They also have a fine, organic garden supplying all their fruit and vegetables. Aided by top expertise in the kitchen, excellent wines and campfire talk, the combination of ingredients makes for memorable dinners. See our full report on Sirikoi

With its exacting attention to detail, immaculate green credentials and outstanding location, Mara Plains is one of Kenya’s top camps. The camp now known as Mara Plains was once called Film Safaris Camp, and during the annual wildebeest migration, extraordinary footage was captured here.

Originally founded by Warren Samuels of BBC Big Cat Diary fame and filmmaker Rob O’Meara, they chose this site, nestled in a grove of trees on the edge of the Ntiakatek stream, with an eye to impeccable positioning for their cameras in order to create the most arresting images. To the south, the plains of the Maasai Mara, thronged by a million wildebeest from July to October, seem to stretch endlessly from the unobstructed decks of the superb accommodation.

With only seven, magnificent guest tents, Mara Plains is one of the smallest camps in the Mara region, giving it a very personal and intimate feel and a high degree of flexibility. This camp is a zen-like lesson in how to be both down-to-earth and first-class: the welcome is warm, the service attentive without being overbearing, and the attention to detail impressive. The camp is extraordinarily eco-friendly too, despite its luxury and comfort, with an organic produce garden and a huge solar array.

"we could hardly imagine a better place to stay"

Mr FfromAmsterdam

Arrived 9 Jun 2022, 5 nights

Location and delivery together make it the best camp in the Maasai Mara. See our full report on Mara Plains Camp