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4 Luxe Places In Kenya That You’ve Never Heard About
Kenya is very well known for her sandy beaches and wildlife. Obvious destinations are Mombasa for your standard camel and beach shot and Maasai Mara for the Wildebeeste migration but there is a lot more to do in this beautiful country. Planning a trip to Kenya that’s high on living in the lap of luxury, venture to one of these destinations high on style and low on fanny packs.
LAMU ISLAND
The oldest known Swahili settlement has seen everyone from the Chinese to the Portuguese spend time throughout the centuries. Step back in time as you walk the narrow streets and try avoid getting run over by donkeys which are the main mode of transport on the island. Take a piece of history with you from Slim,a silver smith who makes bracelets that feature Chinese pottery pieces from their time here in the 14th Century.
Must visit places while here include:
- Slim’s Silver Smith. Apart from the bracelet, he will read your palm and has a picture of Jimmy Carter in his store who he refers to as ‘an angel on earth’.
- Lamu House. Frank makes the best tuna steaks and if he likes you, you can score an invite to his beach club on neighbouring Manda Island on a Sunday.
- Peponi House (pictured below via lizvphoto.com). Best seafood platter ever.
How to get there.
Fly 540 and Air Kenya offer flights out of Nairobi as do other smaller charters.
NNGARE NDARE
Fancy an hour alone at waterfall with your own private guards? Visit the waterfall at the Ngare Ndare forest trust and you get just that. Your visit there helps protect the forest so it is fun for a good cause. They also have a canopy walk that allows you to get a wonderful view of elephants.
Visit the Ngare Ndare website for more information
MERU NATIONAL PARK
The Maasai Mara may be the best known park, but I think Meru National Park is the most exquisite. This is where Joy Adamson and her husband released their cub Elsa into the wild and it is African wild beauty at its very best. The accommodation options are not too shabby either with Elsa’s Kopje serving up African Safari luxury realness at its very best.
SOLIO LODGE
Horse riding in the wild? Sign me up. Solio Lodge in the Aberdare national park lets you do just that. A small property with 6 cottages it is a fantastic place for a romantic holiday. Have friends afflicted by FOMO? There’s wifi throughout the property so you can Instagram each moment as it happens.
No trip to Kenya would be complete without some stylish travel gear made by local designer Jeffrey Kimathi. Check out his BuYu Collection (image at top) made from exquisite leathers, baobab fabric, and inspired by the Kenyan coast.
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