The 7 Best Nanyuki Hotels and Lodges

Discover the best Nanyuki hotels and lodges with this insiders guide to places to stay in Laikipia.

If you drive north from Nairobi, past the cement tower blocks of Thika, past the Delmonte pineapple farms, and follow the Sagana river with its many waterfalls you will reach Nanyuki. Nanyuki is the principal market town of Laikipia County, it sits at the western side of Mount Kenya and is famed for its wildlife parks, conservancies and ranches. Not the prettiest of towns at first there is little to appeal, but look beyond the shabby buildings, the cows and brick-a-brack and you will find an abundance of natural beauty. Nanyuki is a tourist hotspot and a landmark in colonial history, and so there are plenty of Nanyuki hotels and lodges for you to stay in.

Nanyuki hotels range from old colonial outposts and grand hotels to campsites perched on the side of mountains. You can stay in a safari tent in Ol Pejeta, an alpine cabin at Castle Forest Lodge or a 5-star hotel at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club. 

Read on to learn about the best Nanyuki hotels and what there is to do in Nanyuki


hotels and lodges nanyuki
Credit: David Clode

Nanyuki Kenya

Nanyuki has a somewhat chequered history. It was once part of the Maasai lands that stretch from Laikipia to the Tanzanian border. In the early 19th century British colonists claimed the land around Nanyuki for themselves, taking the best and most fertile lands thereby forming a ‘white highlands community’ based on farming and shooting safaris. Today descendants of the original farmers and big game hunters still live in Nanyuki and its a favoured spot for settlers who have grown tired of the merciless expansion of Nairobi. Nowadays Nanyuki is a thriving town, a centre of tourism and a farm-based community. The shooting safaris have stopped but it remains one of the best places for a safari in Kenya.  

The early white settlers brought more than just a division of land to Nanyuki, they brought some of the luxuries and conveniences that they were used to their western countries. In the ’20s and ’30s, Nanuyuki racecourse was established along with the Nanyuki Sports Club, The Sportsman’s Arms Hotel, the Mt Kenya Safari Club. The Logan Hook’s Silverback Hotel was designed so that the Equator ran through the bar. You could dink with one foot in each hemisphere. Many of these establishments are long gone but there is a sense of history in this market town that pervades. 

 The Best Nanyuki Hotels and Lodges



Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club 

NOTE AS OF MAY 2022 THE FAIRMONT STILL HASN’T REOPENED POST COVID.

The Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club was built in the 1950s and is one of the most luxurious hotels in Nanyuki, set in over 100 acres of landscaped gardens. The historic hotel and pool have an unbeatable view of Mount Kenya Guests at the Nanyuki hotel can play golf, visit the spa, bowl, horse ride, play croquet and swim. The 9 hole golf course is to an international standard, the Riuki Spa and Wellness Centre is a full-service spa with a steam room, sauna, pool and a wide range of treatments. The Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club Resort has 110 rooms and villas with 24-hour room service and wifi. There are a chapel and shop on site. 

BOOK FAIRMONT MOUNT KENYA


Fairmont Mount Kenya safari club

Mutara Camp

Mutara Camp is the only lodge in the 20,000 acre Mutara Conservancy. Mutara occupies an eviable position high upon a cliff top with 360 views of the surrounding conservancies and Mount Kenya. There are 15 luxurious tents spaced far apart fror total privacy. The camp has a restaurant, a separate bar tent and pool that overlooks the conservancy. They have two seating areas that overlooks the watering hole, and all the Big 5 visit the area. Mutara Camp offers game drives in their safari vehicles, bush dining and sundowners in the conservancy.

BOOK MUTARA CAMP

Mutara Camp Nanyuki

Castle Forest lodge

Castle Forest Lodge Nanyuki is perched on the side of Mount Kenya. It is far enough in the sky to give it an alpine feel and offer fantastic views of the mountain peak and the Laikipia highlands. There is a mixed accommodation at the lodge, two glorious chalets are fitted out with modern bathrooms, living spaces with huge fireplaces, firepits and bedrooms with soft white sheets. Rustic in style but with modern bathrooms and conveniences its a fabulous option for a place to stay in Nanyuki. A cheaper option is to book one of the two-bed cabins which are more basic but clean and functional, or even camp (be warned it gets cold at night). Castle Forest Lodge has an onsite pub – very reminiscent of an old English pub – a swimming pool and kids playground but it is all about the outdoors. You can hike to waterfalls and walk in the rainforest which is still inhabited by elephant, leopard and buffalo. It’s one of my favourite Nanyuki hotels and Lodges.

BOOK CASTLE FOREST LODGE


Castle forest lodge

Sweetwaters Serena Camp at Ol Pejeta

Serena Sweetwaters hotel is situated right in the middle of Ol Pejeta Conservancy. A Nanyuki luxury tented camp located opposite a watering hotel which allows for excellent game viewing without leaving the resort. Sweetwaters at Ol Pejeta is part of the Serena group of hotels in Kenya which means adherence to a high standard of quality accommodation. The Nanyuki lodge will organise game drives, guided walks, camel treks and bird spotting tours. There is a buffet-style restaurant, a separate bar and an outdoor pool. Rooms are in tents equipped with real beds, proper toilets, rugs, furniture and lighting. Nothing beats snuggling down in a posh bed listening to the sound of the bush all around you. A winner in terms of safari locations too. 

BOOK SWEETWATERS SERENA CAMP


Serena Sweetwaters Nanyuki

Kongoni Camp 

A cheapish and family-friendly option in Nanyuki is Kongoni Camp. Simple but centrally located just 2km out of town it occupies a 10-acre plot in a cedar forest with excellent views of Mount Kenya. Built with natural materials the main house and restaurant is all high ceilings and thick beams, there is a large child-friendly pool and a lovely terrace bar for sundowners. The accommodation is in 22 rooms, 17 suites and 5 little rondavels. Kongoni Camp Nanyuki is basic but affordable, a good location and a great choice for families with kids that want something a little less formal.

BOOK KONGONI CAMP


Kongoni Lodge Nanyuki

Le Rustique Hotel Nanyuki 

Le Rustique is a restaurant and Nanyuki hotel in the centre of town. It’s a gorgeous little haven and an escape from the trafficky streets of Nanyuki town. Le Rustique is a Moroccan inspired getaway that does heavenly food, good wine and caters for children. Away from the restaurant, there is a private pool and a garden with a kids playground. The neat rooms come with satellite TV, WiFi and their own terraces. It’s a great location to base yourself, the food is out of this world and there is even a wine shop onsite. I mean what else could you ask for?

BOOK LE RUSTIQUE


Le Rustique hotel Nanyuki

Ol Jogi

Ol Jogi is a fabulous retreat on a 58,000-acre private ranch and wildlife sanctuary. Ol Jogi Ranch is one of the most luxurious Nanyuki hotels and lodges. Seven private, sumptuously decorated cottages are available to hire individually or you can rent them all out for just over quarter of a million dollars. It’s a lot, hell its a lot but you do get a 60,000 acres wildlife ranch all to yourself. This is the upper end of luxury, the resort has a spa, a pool with waterfall, tennis courts, gym. There is no menu, ask for it and you shall receive. The decor is over the top safari luxe… I could go on but I feel that this guy from Conde Nast says it better then me (and I haven’t been here so what can I say) .

BOOK OL JOGI


Ol Jogi Nanyuki

One to think about: Maiyan Nanyuki

Maiyan is one of two Nanyuki hotels and lodges on this list I haven’t personally been to (the other is Ol Jogi) but I’m so intrigued by it I’m going to add it – if you’ve been please let me know what you think in the comments. It’s a huge lifestyle resort that has recently opened in Nanyuki. The vast estate is a work in progress but already offers many 5* facilities such as pools, spas, tennis, horse riding and restaurants all in carefully manicured grounds and brand spanking new villas and a hotel. They have an extensive list of activities that you can take part in such as basketball, tennis, fishing and for the kids, there are pony rides and a PS4 room. They will organise game drives in the local area. 

Options for accommodation are in the hotel or a private villa many of which have their jacuzzies and rooftop pools. Worth checking out if you are after a resort-style holiday in Nanyuki. 

BOOK MAIYAN NANYUKI


Maiyan Nanyuki

Things to do in Nanyuki


Mount Kenya Nanyuki
Photo by Bj Pearce on Unsplash

Climb Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya Nanyuki is the second-highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro. The climb to the top is hard and there have been casualties but with careful planning and preparation, it’s possible to climb. (In my children’s school the 12-year-olds climb it in their final year of school) Mount Kenya has three peaks: Batian, Nelion and Point Lenana. Batian and Nelion are both highly technical rock climbs and not recommended for beginners. 

Point Lenana the lowest peak should be achievable for novice climbers. Never attempt to climb the mountain alone, always go with a tour company. Reputable tour guides include Savage Wilderness, Adventure Alternative and Get Your Guide.


Ol Pejeta Conservancy Nanyuki

Ol Pejeta is one of the best places to safari in Nanyuki. Read my blog on safari at Ol Pejeta here. The 400 sq. km game reserve boasts one of the highest game-to-area ratios in the whole of Kenya. It is home to the only two remaining Northern White Rhino’s in the world and offers one of the only opportunities to see Chimpanzees in Kenya. The diverse habitat has alpine meadows, savannah, riverine valleys and swamp and hosts all the Big 5. It’s pretty much impossible to visit Ol Pejeta without seeing an elephant, and if you don’t spot a rhino in the wild you can visit dear old blind Baraka at his enclosure. A vast sprawling estate packed full of game with lots of accommodation options from tented camps to cabins, a grand old house and the change to camp in the wild. 


Go Trout Fishing in Nanyuki

You can fish for trout on Mount Kenya. There are several ways to do this. Hire a cabin and spend a weekend fishing in the icy streams that run off the top of Mount Kenya as my husband did. (Read the blog here). Or visit the Trout Tree Restaurant hire rods and fish in their streams. Alternatively, just eat a scrumptious trout dinner at the restaurant and leave the fishing to someone else. Read my blog on the Trout Tree Restaurant here. 


Trout Fishing Nanyuki

White water rafting at Rapids Camp Sagana

An hour out of Nanyuki (back toward Nairobi) is the Sagana river. Further downstream it hits Athi and splays out in vast waterways where hippos and crocodiles wallow, but up at Sagana, it’s a froth of waterfalls and white water rapids (and no scary water-dwelling beasts at all). The two most popular places to raft and kayak are Rapids Camp Sagana and Savage Wilderness (Savage will also organise hikes up Mount Kenya). We went to Rapids Sagana and it was amazing. They do whitewater rafting, kayaking, waterfall challenges, ziplining over the waterfall and a waterfall jump. Young children can use the gecko’s, a small individual dingy, in an area of the river that is calm and safe. It’s an unbeatable day out of the weekend away for all ages. You can camp at Rapids Camp Sagana as we did, they have good clean facilities, banda for shade and lush green lawns. Take your G&T down to the rocks by the river for the best sundowners.  If you don’t fancy camping the nearest hotel is Sagana Getaway Resort.


Rapids camp sagana

Weather in Nanyuki 

Nanyuki sits just four miles off the equator. Located in the Kenyan highlands 2000 metres above sea level the air is crisp and clean and the weather cool. The closer you are to the mountain the colder it gets and at night can be freezing at some of the highest camps and cabins on Mount Kenya. While days in the summer can be hot and dry, it’s always best to take a sweater and a coat, weather changes fast and rain is frequent.


How to get to Nanyuki 

Nanyuki is 3 hours from Nairobi by car – 4 if you are coming from Karen. Once you leave Nairobi its a fairly easy, single road up to Mount Kenya.

You can fly to Nanyuki from Nairobi Wilson Airport using Safarilink

There is a train service from Nairobi to Nanyuki

Other distances and times:

  • Nyeri (1 hour)
  • Meru (1½ hours)
  • Nyahururu (2 hours)
  • Isiolo (1½ hours)
  • Nakuru (3 hours)

Further Reading

Trout Tree Nanyuki – Mount Kenya’s Fresh Fish Restaurant

The 12 best places to visit in Nanyuki

21 Incredible Family Friendly Resorts in Kenya 


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This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Paul

    Great info there, very helpful.

    1. Nadine

      Thank you, really appreciate your kind words.

  2. Irene

    Great information here. Add more hotels, the likes of Falco heights, Peaks etc