Kenya safari lodges: the best places to stay at

Kenya was one my favorite destinations to date. I would describe my trip there as the trip of a lifetime. However, I had no idea what to expect before going there, especially about accommodation options. Will there be a bathroom? Are there glamping options as opposed to camping in a normal tent? I had so many questions. If you’re wondering the same things, then this post on the best Kenya safari lodges is for you. I will share my top places to stay at as you explore Kenya. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

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Wildebeest Eco Camp in Nairobi

the author in front of the tent at wildebeest eco camp, one of the best kenya safari lodges

If you’re traveling to Kenya then it’s very likely you will fly in and out of Nairobi and you will spend a few days in Nairobi since there are a lot of things to do in and around the capital.

Wildebeest Eco Camp is the perfect place to start your Kenyan safari adventure. It is located in a residential area that is about a 10 minute drive from Nairobi National Park.

They have different types of accommodation, but I would describe them all as very high quality. They have multiple types of glamping tents for 2-4 people, as well as regular rooms. Some of the tents have private bathrooms.

While some of the standard tents and most of the regular rooms don’t have one and you’ll have to use shared bathrooms. I like how they offer different types of accommodation so you can pick what works best for your budget and travel style.

Are they some of the best luxury safari lodges out there like the Giraffe Manor? Absolutely not. But they are not basic either. They are somewhere in between. If you’re a mid-budget traveler in general, then you’ll be happy with the quality of the tents and amenities at Wildebeest Eco Camp.

I stayed in a 3-person deluxe tent which had a private bathroom. I thought it was great. The beds were comfortable, the tent was spacious and the bathroom had everything you need.

It always took less than a minute to get hot water, so I never had to wait to take a shower. They provided towels, free hand soap, shower gel and shampoo. All these toiletries are made by them and they are eco-friendly.

The tent does not have air conditioning, but that’s ok because the temperature drops quite a bit at night in Kenya. When I was there in October the temperature was around 15 Celsius (60 Fahrenheit). You will have a thick duvet that keeps you warm at night. I definitely recommend packing long sleeves pajamas because it gets quite chilly at night.

The lodge has a swimming pool, wide open spaces, free wifi, and a restaurant on site that prepares delicious food. The breakfast menu is a la carte and includes plenty of options: eggs cooked any way you like them, American style pancakes, fruit salad, yogurt, juices, coffee tea, toast. The quality of the food was great.

Even though you’re in Nairobi, it’s really quiet at the camp and you’re surrounded by plants and trees. It’s a very relaxing atmosphere. I think Wildebeest Eco Camp is a very good place to stay in Nairobi.

Enkorok Mara Camp in Maasai Mara

Any great safari experience in Kenya is not complete without a visit to the Masai Mara National Reserve to see the local wildlife and a visit to the local communities to learn more about the Maasai culture.

One of the best safari lodges around Maasai Mara National Reserve is Enkorok Mara Camp. They have a prime location which is only a few minutes’ drive from the national park, so you can create unforgettable experiences during your classic game drives.

As they are so close to the national park and to wildlife, you can see dogs, cows, and other animals in front of the tents, which I found really cool. Compared to Wildebeest Eco Camp in Nairobi, this lodge has the advantage of its location in the wilderness. You will experience some breathtaking views during sunset here. I don’t know, sunsets on the African continent hit different.

This lodge only has glamping safari tents with private bathrooms. I found the tents to be even more spacious than the ones at Wildebeest Eco Camp. And the beds here also had mosquito nets.

The bathroom was spacious as well. The toilet and the shower were in different places to allow for more privacy. Here as well, they offered free toiletries and towels.

The wifi was free, but it was spottier since you’re literally in the middle of the bush.

They have a restaurant on site and lunches and dinners are all served buffet style. There are so many options each day! They serve both traditional Kenyan dishes and Western dishes, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

I found the walk back from the restaurant area to my tent to be sufficiently lit so I could see the path. Other people that were sleeping in tents further away were saying it’s too dark. If it’s too dark for you and you’re scared of bumping into an animal on your way back, you can have a Masaai warrior accompany you to your tent.

Lake Nakuru Lodge in Lake Nakuru

Besides Nairobi and the Masaai Mara, I highly recommend you explore the Lake Nakuru area in Kenya as well. Such a beautiful place! The national park here is smaller, but it has more trees and vegetation than the other national parks and you feel like you’re driving through the enchanted forest. It was one of my favourite places!

Lake Nakuru Lodge is located inside the National Park, so you can literally see zebras, baboons, and other animals while you have breakfast. Sometimes you can have wildlife encounters in front of your lodge too. It’s magical!

The accommodation here are cabins, as opposed to tents. You have an incredible view of Lake Nakuru from the pool and the restaurant areas. This iconic lodge is a really special place!

Similar to the lodge in Masaai Mara, they have a restaurant on site and lunches and dinners are all served buffet style. They serve both traditional Kenyan dishes and Western dishes, so there are plenty of options to choose from every day. The food was great both here and at Enkorok Mara Camp, I can’t say one was better than the other.

The only complaint I have about this lodge was that the beds were really hard. I thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep properly, but surprisingly I slept really well and I had zero back pain when I woke up. Maybe the hard beds help after being in a safari jeep all day getting that “African massage” on the off-road drives?

Overall, Lake Nakuru Lodge was one of the best lodges I’ve stayed at in Kenya. I think that the amazing views, the unique location, and being able to see wildlife from the lodge make this place a bucket list lodge.