Types of Accommodation

From city centre hotels to beautiful boutique coastal resorts, tented camps, and treetop lodges, Kenya has a huge variety of accommodation. The Kenya Tourism Board promotes properties accredited by the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) so you can be sure your clients are staying at a reputable property.  ****Suggestion for image: A collage of different types of accommodations in Kenya.****

Tented Camps  

Looking for an authentic stay when in Kenya? Look no further than a tented camp, which can be found in all of Kenya’s National Parks and Conservancies. They range from uber luxurious camps with less than ten tents to larger complexes with more on-site facilities such as swimming pools, spa facilities, restaurants, and bars.

Staying in a tented camp puts your clients at the heart of the action and they should expect to hear and see lots of wildlife. Some camps are unfenced, which means that larger game can roam wherever they please. However, guests are kept safe by askaris who are never far away and will insist on walking guests to and from their tent at all times of the day or night. For those guests who are experiencing safari for the first time, a fenced camp may be a good choice to give them some added security.

This is very different from any kind of camping your clients might have experienced before. Whether they are staying in an eco-friendly camp or somewhere with a more permanent footprint, you can book tents which have comfortable bedrooms and bathrooms with hot running water to relax in after a long day out on safari.

Lodges  

There are some truly stunning boutique lodges across Kenya’s national parks and conservancies. They offer great vantage points if they are located on a hilltop or above the treetops. This is where the term “armchair safari” has been coined as you can go on a safari without even leaving your lodge!

Treetops Lodge in Aberdare National Park is arguably one of Kenya’s most famous lodges due to its royal connection. This is nestled in amongst the trees over a watering hole so offers a great place to view wildlife from.

In the Mount Kenya region and further north towards Laikipia, there are many lodges which are owner-run so your clients will often be hosted by the owner who will be able to tell rich stories and anecdotes and lots more about the local area.

Starbeds  

A unique and romantic option, a starbed can be moved outside, often onto a decking area so clients can sleep under the stars. This kind of accommodation can be found mainly in conservancies in the Laikipia area.

Coastal Resorts  

Finishing a holiday in Kenya with a few nights or more on the coast is a popular option for visitors to the destination. There are five main areas of the coast which include Lamu, Malindi, Watamu, Mombasa, and Diani.

Mombasa is the main hub on the coast and Kenya’s largest city. Being this close to Mombasa city means your clients are perfectly located for exploring the old cobbled streets of Old Mombasa and the attractions here such as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fort Jesus.

Malindi is on Kenya’s north coast and like Mombasa has its own international airport. Around 30 minutes north of Malindi is Watamu, which is famed for its deep-sea fishing and water sports, namely kite surfing. Although there are some resort-style properties in this area, there are more smaller, boutique properties as well as some offering apartment-style accommodation like recently refurbished Hemingway’s and Medina Palms.

Diani, situated south of Mombasa, is accessible via the Likoni Ferry from Mombasa City or via Ukunda airstrip. Diani is the busiest area with various small shops, bars, and restaurants located on this wide, white sand strip of beach. Heading further south, visitors will find Galu, Kinondo, Mswambweni, and Funzi Keys. There are lots more boutique properties in this area and the further south you travel, the more secluded properties become, perfect for those wanting an escape or a romantic hideaway.

City Hotels  

Whether staying in Nairobi or Mombasa, there is plenty of choice. For those needing to be close to the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) or the commercial hub, there are many international brands in this area. The suburbs of Nairobi, such as Langatta and Karen, contrast to downtown Nairobi in that they are very leafy, green areas of the city. There are new properties in these areas offering a palatial colonial style of accommodation.  

Even if your clients are staying in the city, they will never be far from nature. With Nairobi National Park minutes away from the centre, staying within or on the boundaries of the park is an option. Westlands, just north of downtown Nairobi, is a trendy district with chic boutique hotels bringing something new to the existing portfolio here.