Best safari lodges in Kenya | Our top picks

Kenya is East Africa’s safari heavyweight. Think elephants on the move, lions sprawled in the sun, and wildebeest pouring across golden plains. Hippos grunt from the riverbanks while flamingos turn shallow lakes into streaks of pink.

But while the wildlife draws the crowds, local culture often gets sidelined. For years, Indigenous communities saw little return from safaris on their ancestral land. That’s changing.

A new wave of Kenya accommodations is flipping the script – run by local tribes, guided by local talent, and sharing profits where they’re due. These camps don’t just offer top-tier game drives. They fund conservation, empower communities, and give you the kind of insight no outside guide can.

Here are Kenya’s best safari lodges leading the way.

What are the best safari lodges to visit in Kenya?

When planning your Kenya itinerary, picking the right safari lodge can make or break your trip. You’re not just choosing a bed for the night – you’re choosing how close you’ll get to wildlife, what kind of guides you’ll have, and whether your stay supports local communities and conservation.

The best safari lodges in Kenya do all three. They're in prime wildlife territory – think the Maasai Mara, Samburu, Laikipia, and Amboseli – and they work closely with local tribes, reinvesting in the land and its people. Some are ultra-remote, others are stylish eco-retreats with open-air showers and campfire dinners under the stars. All of them offer unforgettable safaris led by guides who know the land better than anyone.

This list focuses on camps and lodges that combine comfort with purpose. These aren’t mass-market resorts. They’re places where elephants wander past your porch, where your guide grew up tracking lions, and where your stay helps protect the very landscape you came to see.

If you’re wondering where to stay – and which are the best places to visit in Kenya while you're at it – start here. These are the Kenya safari lodges worth your time, your money, and your curiosity.

Lewa Safari Camp

Set in the foothills of Mount Kenya, Lewa Safari Camp sits inside the 250 sq km Lewa Conservancy – one of the most successful conservation areas in East Africa. You’ve got a strong chance of spotting the Big Five here, plus critically endangered species like black rhinos, white rhinos, and Grévy’s zebras.

The wildlife is only part of the draw. Guided bush walks and camel treks with local Maasai guides get you even closer to the land. And unlike many high-end lodges, your stay here does real good: all profits go to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, which supports local schools, healthcare clinics, and long-term conservation projects.

How to get to Lewa Safari Camp

Lewa is about a five-hour drive from Nairobi via Nanyuki. Alternatively, catch a light aircraft flight from Wilson Airport to Lewa Downs airstrip – just a short drive from the camp.

When to visit Lewa Safari Camp

The camp is closed in April and November due to rain. The best time to visit is from June to October or December to March, when wildlife sightings are excellent and the roads are more accessible. For more on trip timing, check out our guide to the best time to go on safari in Kenya.

Amboseli Porini Camp

For world-class birdwatching and Kilimanjaro views, Amboseli Porini Camp delivers. But the real magic is in the wildlife and the people. Elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and wildebeest all roam the Selenkay Conservation Area, a 60 sq km private reserve just north of Amboseli National Park.

The camp is small and low-impact, co-owned by the local Maasai community and Gamewatchers Safaris, a Nairobi-based operator. It’s not just eco-friendly – it’s community-driven. Game drives here feel personal, and walking safaris with Maasai guides bring a depth you won’t get in big lodges. These are people who’ve lived with the wildlife for generations. You’re not just spotting tracks – they're showing you how to read the land.

If you want a classic Kenya safari without the crowds, this is your place.

How to get to Amboseli Porini Camp

From Nairobi, it’s a 4 to 5-hour drive or a 1-hour flight to Amboseli airstrip, followed by a short transfer. Transfers from the airstrip are usually included in your stay.

When to visit Amboseli Porini Camp

The best time to visit is from June to October for dry weather and great game viewing. You’ll get clearer skies for Kilimanjaro too. January to March is also good, with fewer tourists and plenty of wildlife. Avoid April and May if you want to skip the heavy rains.

Eagle View

Set high on an escarpment in the remote Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Eagle View lives up to its name. You get a front-row seat to the wildebeest migration without the minibuses and crowds of the main reserve. This is one of the most untouched corners of the Maasai Mara, and the wildlife is just as wild.

The camp has nine tented suites overlooking the Koiyaki River, with panoramic views of the plains where zebra and wildebeest graze – and where predators follow close behind. It’s not just game drives either. Night safaris and guided walks with local Maasai rangers let you see the bush from a different angle.

How to get to Eagle View

Fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Ol Seki airstrip, then it’s a short drive to the camp. You can also drive from Nairobi (around 6-7 hours), but it’s a long and bumpy ride.

When to visit Eagle View

The wildebeest migration sweeps through this part of the Mara from mid-June to late October – peak season for action and predators. For fewer crowds and solid wildlife sightings, January to March is also a great window. Avoid April and May, when rains make the roads muddy and some activities are limited.

Il Ngwesi and Tassia Lodges

Deep in northern Kenya’s scrubland, Il Ngwesi and Tassia Lodge offer a raw, off-grid safari you won’t find on the main tourist trail. These two lodges sit along ancient wildlife corridors, where conservation and culture go hand in hand.

Il Ngwesi sits on a rocky ridge above the Ngare Ndare River, on the edge of the Mukogodo Hills. Its six open-front bandas overlook endless bushland, with an infinity pool that frames views of the Mathews Range and Samburu Game Reserve. A few hours away by foot or game drive, Tassia Lodge clings to the edge of a bluff, with sweeping views over the wild Northern Frontier. It has six rooms, including a family-friendly bunkhouse that sleeps six, making it a rare and rewarding option for those exploring Kenya with kids.

Owned and operated by the local Maasai, both lodges offer walking safaris, birding tours, and a chance to explore the Ngare Ndare River Valley with guides who grew up here. This is a luxury safari in Kenya with a difference – low-impact, locally rooted, and rich in cultural insight. Expect elephants, wild dogs, lions, hyenas – and the everyday rhythms of pastoral life, with herders and their cattle sharing the land.

How to get to Il Ngwesi and Tassia Lodges

Fly from Nairobi to Lewa Downs or Nanyuki airstrips, then take a 2-3 hour 4WD transfer. Alternatively, drive from Nairobi (about 6-7 hours) via Isiolo and Lewa.

When to visit Il Ngwesi and Tassia Lodges

Go from June to October or December to March for dry conditions, good wildlife viewing, and easier walking. Avoid April and November, when rains can disrupt access and limit activities.

Ol Donyo Lodge

Tucked into the lava fields of the Chyulu Hills, between Amboseli and Tsavo West, Ol Donyo offers a safari with a dose of style. Expect views of Mount Kilimanjaro, open plains scattered with wildlife, and the kind of privacy that makes you feel like you’ve got southern Kenya all to yourself.

Each suite is a stone-and-canvas blend of comfort and adventure, with rooftop star beds, plunge pools, and massive windows that frame the landscape. You’ll hear elephants at night and maybe even wake to lions calling across the plains. Beyond the usual game drives, you can ride horses across the savannah, explore on foot with expert trackers, or even mountain bike through the bush.

The lodge works in partnership with local Maasai landowners, meaning your stay directly supports education, conservation, and community livelihoods. There’s also a strong focus on predator research – this is big cat country, after all.

How to get to Ol Donyo Lodge

You can drive from Nairobi (about 5-6 hours via Emali), but flying is easier. Scheduled flights run from Wilson Airport to the lodge’s private airstrip.

When to visit Ol Donyo Lodge

Go from June to October for dry weather, clear skies, and easier wildlife spotting. January to March is also excellent. Avoid April and May – the long rains make travel tricky.

Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp

Cottar’s is old-school safari done right. Bordering the Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti, this family-run camp channels the golden age of safari – canvas tents, antique furnishings, and fire-heated bathtubs under the stars. But behind the vintage glamour is a serious commitment to conservation and community.

The camp sits in its private conservancy, where wildlife moves freely between national parks. You’ll likely see elephants and big cats within minutes of your morning coffee. The guides are some of the best in Kenya – sharp-eyed, deeply knowledgeable, and always ready to stop and explain the difference between a cheetah track and a lion’s. You can go out on foot, in a 4WD, or spend the afternoon watching elephants from your tent.

How to get to Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp

Fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Keekorok or the camp’s private airstrip. It’s then a short drive to camp. You can also drive (6-7 hours), but the roads are rough.

When to visit Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp

Visit between July and October to catch the migrating herds. January to March is quieter, with excellent predator sightings and clearer weather. Avoid the long rains in April and May.

Sarara Camp

Set in the Namunyak Conservancy at the southern tip of the Mathews Range, Sarara Camp is wild, remote, and one of Kenya’s most remarkable places to stay. This is Samburu land – rugged, semi-arid, and alive with elephants, leopards, and reticulated giraffes. You’re a long way from the Mara, and that’s the point.

Sarara’s six open-fronted tents are built into a hillside, all with panoramic views across the savannah. A natural rock pool sits at the center of the camp, often shared by elephants who wander in to drink. Wildlife viewing is excellent, but the real magic here is the cultural depth – walking safaris with Samburu guides, village visits, and even the chance to witness singing wells, where herders chant as they water their cattle.

It’s community-owned and operated, with every stay helping fund local schools, ranger patrols, and wildlife corridors. Remote doesn’t mean rustic – this is a polished, purpose-driven safari.

How to get to Sarara Camp

Fly from Nairobi to the Namunyak airstrip (private charter only) or via scheduled flight to Kalama, then drive 2.5 hours north to the camp. Driving from Nairobi takes over 10 hours – not recommended.

When to visit Sarara Camp

Go between June and October or December to March. The dry seasons are best for both wildlife and travel. Avoid April and November, when heavy rains can make access difficult.

Mara Plains Camp

Mara Plains is the kind of place that ruins you for other safari camps. Hidden in the predator-rich Olare Motorogi Conservancy, just outside the Maasai Mara, this small, ultra-luxury camp puts you close to the action, without the traffic. You’ll see lions, leopards, and cheetahs almost daily, plus elephants, hyenas, and the occasional pangolin if you're lucky.

Each tent sits on a raised deck, with canvas walls, wide verandas, and copper bathtubs facing the plains. The camp is run by Great Plains Conservation, which means high-end, low-impact: solar power, recycled materials, and serious attention to sustainability. And the wildlife? It’s spectacular, especially during migration season when thousands of wildebeest thunder through the conservancy, with big cats in pursuit.

You’re also supporting local conservation projects and education initiatives simply by staying here.

How to get to Mara Plains Camp

Fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Ol Kiombo or the private Mara Plains airstrip. Transfers are included. You can drive, but it’ll take at least 6 hours, and the roads aren’t kind.

When to visit Mara Plains Camp

July to October is migration season – expect drama. For fewer people and great wildlife, January to March is also ideal. April and May are wet and best avoided.

Loisaba Tented Camp

Set on a ridge overlooking northern Kenya’s vast Laikipia Plateau, Loisaba offers something a little different. Yes, you’ll see elephants, lions, and reticulated giraffes – but you might also go mountain biking through the bush, take a camel trek across dry riverbeds, or track wildlife with anti-poaching dogs.

The camp’s design is sleek and modern, but the focus is on the land. It’s part of the 57,000-acre Loisaba Conservancy, which is run in partnership with the local Samburu and funded through tourism. Staying here means supporting rangers, schools, and local clinics – while getting some of the best guiding in the region.

Rooms are spacious, the food’s excellent, and the infinity pool comes with sweeping savannah views. It’s remote, but rewarding.

How to get to Loisaba Tented Camp

Fly from Nairobi to Loisaba’s airstrip (just 15 minutes from camp). You can also fly to Nanyuki, then drive for around 2.5 hours.

When to visit Loisaba Tented Camp

The dry season (January to March and June to October) is best for wildlife and travel. April and November bring rains that can make roads slippery.

Elsa’s Kopje

Perched high above the Meru plains, Elsa’s Kopje is one of those rare Kenya safari lodges that gets under your skin. Built into the granite slopes of Mughwango Hill, it overlooks the same rugged landscape where Elsa the lioness, of Born Free fame, was raised and released. History aside, the lodge is a masterclass in low-key charm and remote luxury.

Each stone cottage blends seamlessly into the hillside, open to the breeze and the sounds of the wild. You might wake to hyenas calling in the distance or elephants rustling through the bush. Meru National Park isn’t nearly as crowded as the Mara, but the wildlife is superb – lion, black and white rhino, buffalo, and over 400 bird species. You can go out on foot, by 4WD, or take a night drive with one of the region’s most experienced guides.

How to get to Elsa’s Kopje

Fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Meru airstrip, followed by a 45-minute game drive to camp. It’s also a 7-hour drive from Nairobi if you’re up for it.

When to visit Elsa’s Kopje

January to March and June to October offer the best conditions. Skip April and November – the rains can make trails tricky and limit wildlife viewing.

Sasaab

Of all the best safari lodges in Kenya, few feel as distinctive as Sasaab. Sitting above the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu, this lodge mixes North African design with rugged Kenyan wilderness. Arched doorways, domed roofs, and plunge pools give it a Moorish feel – but you’re deep in elephant country, with sweeping views across a parched, untamed landscape.

Sasaab is about much more than looks. It’s Samburu-owned and Samburu-guided, with walking safaris, camel treks, and cultural visits that connect you to the land in a way most lodges can’t. Game drives cover rare species like Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe, alongside lion, leopard, and buffalo. Elephants often wander right below camp—or even through it.

Part of the Northern Rangelands Trust, the lodge directly supports conservation and community projects across the region. You’re not just staying somewhere beautiful – you’re helping keep it that way.

How to get to Sasaab

Fly from Nairobi to Samburu airstrip, then it’s a 45-minute drive. Driving from Nairobi takes 6-7 hours and is only worth doing if you’ve got time to spare.

When to visit Sasaab

Dry seasons – June to October and December to March – are ideal. Wildlife is easier to spot, and the roads stay passable. The rains in April and November are best avoided.

Ol Pejeta Bush Camp

If you want your safari to mean something, Ol Pejeta Bush Camp is the place to go. This is one of the most purpose-driven Kenya safari lodges, located in the 90,000-acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy – a haven for rhinos and home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth.

The camp itself is small, unfussy, and close to the action. With just seven tents along the Ewaso Ngiro River, it offers a front-row seat to the daily rhythm of the bush. Days start early with game drives or behind-the-scenes visits to the conservancy’s rhino sanctuary or anti-poaching dogs. You’ll also find lion, elephant, cheetah, and African wild dogs, with superb guides who know the land inside out.

Run by Alex Hunter, one of Kenya’s most respected guides, this camp is as authentic as it gets – grounded, responsible, and deeply connected to the land and community it supports.

How to get to Ol Pejeta Bush Camp

Fly from Nairobi to Nanyuki, then drive 45 minutes to camp. If you’re driving from Nairobi, expect a 4 to 5-hour journey.

When to visit Ol Pejeta Bush Camp

January to March and June to October offer the best weather and wildlife sightings. The camp is open year-round, but roads can be muddy in April and November.

Segera Retreat

If you’re looking for safari with serious flair, Segera Retreat in Laikipia delivers. This isn’t your typical tented camp – it’s a private conservation ranch where luxury, art, and sustainability come together in one very well-designed package.

You’ll stay in timber-and-thatch villas set among acacia trees, each with its own private deck, sunken bath, and collection of contemporary African art. There’s a wine tower, a sculpture garden, and a wellness spa that wouldn’t be out of place in Cape Town. But Segera isn’t just about indulgence. It sits on 50,000 acres of reclaimed cattle land, now a sanctuary for lion, elephant, giraffe, and the endangered African wild dog.

Game drives, walking safaris, and cultural visits are all on offer, but Segera also brings in a more reflective side of travel – exhibits on conservation, local empowerment projects, and stories of land regeneration are part of the experience. It’s bold, unique, and built for travelers who want their safari with a bit more soul.

How to get to Segera Retreat

Fly from Nairobi to Nanyuki (around 1 hour), then transfer by road. Private charters can land directly at Segera’s airstrip.

When to visit Segera Retreat

Visit between June and October or January to March for dry weather and excellent game viewing. April and November are rainy and less ideal for travel.a 

Tortilis Camp

Tortilis Camp is classic Amboseli: big skies, open plains, and herds of elephants wandering past with snow-capped Kilimanjaro in the background. One of the best safari lodges in Kenya for photography and elephant encounters, it’s located in a private conservancy that borders the national park, so you get the animals without the minibuses.

The thatched tents are set beneath shady acacia trees, all facing the mountain. There’s a pool, a lovely bar area, and views for days. Game drives explore the conservancy and Amboseli proper, and the camp offers guided bush walks and sundowners on the plains. You’ll often see the same elephants day after day – they live here, and many have been tracked for decades as part of long-term conservation projects.

Tortilis is a pioneer in eco-safari. It runs on solar, supports local Maasai guides, and has won awards for its sustainable tourism practices.

How to get to Tortilis Camp

Fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Amboseli airstrip. From there, it’s a 45-minute game drive to camp. Driving from Nairobi takes around 4.5 hours.

When to visit Tortilis Camp

Go from June to October for dry conditions and clear Kilimanjaro views. January to March is also excellent. The long rains in April and May can make travel messy.