6 of the Most Eco-Friendly Stays You Can Have in Kenya

Kenya is often considered the quintessential safari destination due to its diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. It’s home to the iconic ‘Big Five’ – lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinos – a plethora of other species, and over 1,000 recorded bird species. 

Wildlife viewing is possible year-round, but the Great Wildebeest Migration from July to October, involving over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra, and several species of antelope, is truly an unmissable spectacle.

Kenya has also been a pioneer in Africa in conservation. It was one of the first countries to ban trophy hunting in 1977. Kenya’s wildlife is conserved in numerous national parks and protected reserves covering over 8% of the country’s land area.

Kenya is also recognised for its community-based conservation initiatives, and it’s been at the forefront of the fight against poaching, especially as regards elephants and rhinos. The country is also investing in species reintroduction and habitat restoration projects. 

In addition, Kenya has a wide selection of accommodation for visitors ranging from luxury lodges to superb tented camps and camping sites, making it a standout destination for any wildlife enthusiast. Here are some of Kenya’s superbly comfortable eco-friendly camps and lodges: 

Entim Camp, Masai Mara

This eco-camp in the Masai Mara National Reserve is aptly named after the word for ‘forest’ in Maasai. Its 12 luxury en-suite tents nestle in pristine riverine woodlands along the Mara River.

There are stunning views across the river, plains, undulating escarpment and distant hills. Each veranda ensures guests breathtaking sights of wildebeest and zebras crossing the Mara teeming with crocs and hippos! 

This mainly solar-powered camp has a bar, open-fronted lounge/dining area, small library, complimentary wi-fi, laundry, spa and gift shop. Activities include village visits, bird watching, guided walks, game drives and hot air ballooning.

Delectable food, bush breakfasts and sundowners all add to the unforgettable magic of Entim. There are special facilities for photographers. 

Kilima Camp, Masai Mara

5-Star Kilima Camp is located on the edge of the Oloololo Escarpment in Kenya’s Mara North Conservancy. This wheelchair-friendly and luxurious eco-lodge offers superb accommodation in three deluxe and 12 classic tents, all with amazing views over the Mara river and rolling plains. Kilima is ideally situated to see the Great Wildebeest Migration. 

Camp facilities include a bar, a delightful communal dining area, complimentary wi-fi, library, a laundry service, a kiddies club, spa and restaurant. Babysitting and chauffer services, as well as disabled facilities, are on offer.

Activities include archery lessons, horse riding, horseback safaris, guided nature walks, game drives, cultural visits, hot air ballooning and helicopter safaris. 

Lewa Wilderness, Lewa Conservancy

Lewa Wilderness and the Craig family have been receiving guests for five decades. Visitors have a good chance of seeing the ‘Big Five’ and endangered black and white rhinos on the Lewa Conservancy. 

Guests occupy nine en-suite cottages with spacious bedrooms, comfortable seating areas, fireplaces, and lovely verandahs. They can also relax in the cosy book-filled farmhouse sitting room, enjoy afternoon tea and coffee and tuck into delicious meals on the open-air deck with its stunning views. 

A gym and saltwater pool are on offer, as are guided game drives and nature walks, tennis, craft lessons, camel riding, horse riding and cultural visits. Day visits to the pristine Ngare Ndare forest, fly camping and scenic flights add to a truly unforgettable experience. 

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East Africa Kenya Maasai Mara

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Affordable Masai Mara Safari

East Africa Kenya Maasai Mara

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Porini Rhino Camp, Ol Pejeta, Laikipia

Porini is an intimate, unfussy eco-camp that lies snugly in a secluded valley in Ol Pejeta Conservancy between the Aberdare mountains and towering Mount Kenya. Teeming with diverse wildlife, Ol Pejeta also offers sanctuary to black rhino, rescued chimpanzees and the last two northern white rhinos in the world, Najin and her daughter, Fatu. 

Guest accommodation is provided in eight comfortable, spacious, solar-powered en-suite tents. One of the tents is a two-bedroomed family unit. Guests enjoy communal dining, a library, walking safaris, day and night game drives, wildlife tours and great birding.

A photographic hide that overlooks a bustling water hole ensures amazing wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities. You’ll also get to visit the chimpanzees and white rhinos, and meet Baraka, Ol Pejeta’s blind black rhino ambassador.

Mara Toto Camp, Masai Mara

The brainchild of Dereck Joubert, CEO of Great Plains Conservation, 5-Star Mara Moto is tucked away in the shade of ebony trees alongside the Ntiakitiak River. This stylish, secluded and intimate seasonal camp offers visitors an enchanting revisiting of East Africa’s romantic safari past.

The area is famous for its amazing predator density, including resident leopards, and both the Serengeti and Loita Plains wildebeest migrations.

Accommodation is offered in four large and superbly appointed en-suite canvas tents. Guests enjoy outstanding game drives in specially designed Land Cruisers, hot-air ballooning, and birding.

Guests also have access to two complimentary professional camera sets, photographic tuition if needed, and high-quality binoculars. The camp’s fantastic Young Explorers Kid’s Programme exposes children to birding, cooking, art and wildlife experiences.

Eagle View, Mara Naboisho Conservancy

Aptly-named, exclusive and very private, 5-Star Eagle View perches on top of a hill overlooking a busy waterhole. In 2013 it was the only Kenyan nominee for National Geographic Travellers Magazine’s Top 25 eco-lodges in the world. 

The camp’s accommodation comprises nine luxurious en-suite tents, each with its own private terrace. There is a superb elevated dining area and viewing deck, so photographers will be in their element.

Guests can enjoy guided walking safaris, day and night game drives, wildlife tours, animal encounters, exceptional birding and hot air ballooning. A bar, restaurant, delectable bush dining, sundowners, babysitting services, a private vehicle and a kiddies club are also available.

Discover Africa are experienced safari specialists. We know that Kenya’s diverse wildlife, spectacular landscapes, rich cultural heritage and wide range of outstanding accommodation options deservedly make it one of the world’s premier wildlife destinations.

Let us plan your next unforgettable wildlife escape to this glittering gem in Africa’s wildlife crown!