House on the Ridge – Nairobi

House on the Ridge is that hour-out-of-Nairobi patch of heaven we’ve all been waiting for. Nairobi is undoubtedly full of glorious places to stay, but we all need to escape from Ruto’s hustles and matatu mayhem occasionally. The beauty of Nairobi is the easy accessibility to Kenya’s great wild places, so pack your backs and head down into the Great Rift Valley.

The House on the Ridge Nairobi is less than an hour away from Karen.  You skirt around the northern side of the Ngong Hills and zip along the eastern ridges of the Great Rift Valley, and you have arrived. House on the Ridge’s crowning glory is its magnificent views: the purpling slices of the Great Rift Valley, the peaked summit of Suswa, and the lesser-viewed western side of the Ngong Hills. Looking from the house’s deck across the plains and the dam below, there is nothing but the cries of fish eagles and the occasional tinkle of goat bells.Surely, there won’t be a single new visitor to the house that doesn’t mutter to themselves.. all this! And so close to Nairobi.

House on the Ridge is a relatively newly built, modern three-bedroom property. It cleverly uses windows and doors to ensure the entire building is flooded with light and maximizes the views across the rift. The house is decorated in classic neutral with touches of African-themed décor. Each bedroom is ensuite – two doubles and a twin, and showers are large and decadent with excellent smellies and thick towels. The kitchen is fully equipped with a central island and a separate bar area and the lounge has squashy, comfortable sofas and a large fireplace. While this is the home that I wish I owned for its bright ambiance and pristine finishes, it’s the outside that elevates the property.

Large sliding doors open to an expansive deck and a small infinity pool. There is a big dining table and daybeds for lounging; then steps extend down the valley to a second sweeping deck with additional tables and a vast covered daybed area with a fire pit. The views are unparalleled. The first thing my kids did when entering the house was run to the bottom deck and marvel at the views… and these kids are very hard to impress.

In the evening, we lit a fire, toasted marshmallows, and gazed at distant lightning storms over the Ngong Hills. Leopards, hyenas, and honey badgers live in the vicinity, but sadly, none visited. There is also a pair of Vereaux Eagles, for keen birders.

Amenities at House on the Ridge

• WiFi
• Solar powered electric
• Hot water shower & bathroom supplies
• Swimming Pool
• Drinking water
• Basic spices & tea
• Board games and books
• Full security with Askari
• Housekeeper

What You Need to Bring to House on the Ridge

• Swimming stuff
• Hot clothes for the day and cold clothes for the night
• Food and booze.
• Mosquito repellent (not malarial but annoying)

How to Get to House on the Ridge

House on the Ridge is 1 hour away from Karen, Nairobi, within the Ol Mararoi community.

From Karen, head to Ngong Town, turn right at the T junction, and 100 metres later, turn right onto the Suswa road (now fully paved).

Continue for 10km, then turn right to remain on the tarmac.

Continue for another 14km, then turn left onto a dirt road.

At the top of the hill, turn right onto Joshua Karrarru Road. This is signposted, and you can also find it on Google Maps, which is what I did.

Continue for 1.6 km until you see a pile of white rocks. Turn left and drive until you see a green gate next to a stone wall.

Note: I went in May after very heavy rains, and you definitely needed a 4×4 to pass through the dirt section of this route. The tarmacked roads were in excellent condition.

How to Book House on the Ridge

House on the Ridge is bookable through Airbnb

Or check out the House on the Ridge Instagram here.

I posted in my very enthusiastic social media posts written from the lower deck that I don’t often review individual Kenyan accommodations or restaurants unless they are exceptional. And House on the Ridge is genuinely exceptional.  A home away from home, that is frankly a lot better than my home. House on the Ridge is imbued with impeccable design and a sense of space, peace, and serenity.  Can you ask for more sixty minutes outside of Kenya’s capital city?

Further Reading

Nairobi Nightlife: A Vibrant Experience for Expatriates

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