The Most Romantic Places In Kenya Every Couple In Love Should Visit
Are you in love?
Exploring the world is a fantastic thing! And traveling with the person you love is the best way to take a break from your everyday life, and rediscover your passion.
Romantic getaway dinner and vacation’s doesn’t always have to be in western courtiers in places like Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Ubud, Bali, Paris, Cinque Terre, Italy, Tupai Atoll Kauai, Hawaii, Kyoto, Japan, The Maldives, Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany, Santorini, Greece .
Surprise your loved one with a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day in Kenya. Have the time of your life at Kenya’s most romantic vacation destinations from North coast South coast, central to Western Kenya from lovable cottages to deluxe beach resorts private villas and experience the all-inclusive facilities such as unique cuisine, butler service, spa treatment, boot ride, scuba diving and infinity pools, candlelit dinner and private beach.
We have selected our favorite places for romantic getaways on Valentine’s Day for you. The surroundings are ideal for a perfect romance, long conversation, cosiness and relaxation.
1. Mfangano Island Camp
Mfangano Island is a small island, populated by local fishermen and this wonderful intimate lodge – you can reach it by private charter from the Masai Mara or from Nairobi. Mfangano encompasses rustic island luxury, and offers a true insight into the variety Kenya offers, it makes a great combination with a safari camp or beach holiday, and is truly unique in style and location.
There is 24 hour power, and an open sitting room with a bar and dining room decorated in ethnic style. Fishing is a highlight here, and Mfangano can provide all of the equipment there is also bird watching, walking trails, boat rides and traditional excursions in a ‘long boat’, visits to nearby Luo villages and school are also included in the price.
Location: Lake Victoria, Southern Kenya
No of rooms: 6 rondavels
Style: Island luxury in Africa’s largest lake thatched rooms with private verandah overlooking Lake Victoria
Highlights: Culture, fishing, utter privacy, truly wild environment
Dining: Eaten together or separate
2. Saruni Rhino
This extremely secluded and very intimate camp within the Sera Conservancy of the Samburu in Northern Kenya, is one of the most boutique and rustic chic camps you will visit.
There are only 3 rooms within this camp. Banda one is the largest suite which can sleep up to 4 people – perfect for families or groups of friends. There is a large outside communal space and the only thing you will share is the bathroom. Banda two is the smaller and original Kauro Banda. with a natural stone outside shower and running water. There is a spacious sandy terrace out on the front of the Banda over looking the ‘lugga’ (dried up river bed). Finally Banda number 3 is the perfect accommodation for families. Two en suite rooms with their own bathrooms and flushing loos. Like the other two Bandas, this Banda has a large veranda with stunning views of the ‘lugga’ which is often frequented by wandering elephants, plenty of plains game and an array of birdlife.
Each room has stunning views of the river bed – or ‘lugga’ – and the overall location of this camp is incredible for elephant and rhino viewing. On occasion you will be sitting with gin and tonic in hand in your room, or by the pool with your own personal sighting of these magnificent animals.
Location: Samburu, Sera Community Conservancy, Northern Kenya
No of rooms: 3 rooms
Style: Rustic boutique chic!
Highlights: Game drives in Samburu and Sere Conservancy, meeting the Samburu tribe, swimming pool, massages, wonderful hosting – PLUS tracking the endangered black rhino on foot.
Dining: Flexible dining options, but usually three course meals served in main area, although private dinners in room, and bush dinners are also available
What’s the difference: The most hilarious charming Samburu staff and guides in Kenya. Wonderful infinity pool, rustic chic luxurious room with views of the river bed, fabulous elephant and cat experiences in Samburu National Park.
3. Elsa’s Kopje
Elsa’s Kopje (named after Elsa the lioness) has long been famed as one of Kenya’s most luxurious retreats, with sweeping views over the buffalo and elephant filled savannah, an infinity pool, and exquisite food, it certainly lives up to its reputation.
The lodge is almost invisible to the eye as you approach, it is built into Mughwango Hill and only naturally sourced materials were used. Elsa’s was built above the site of George Adamson’s original campsite, and Elsa the lionesses grave is not far away. Each private cottage is enormous, with large verandahs, spacious bathrooms, and plenty of space for afternoon siestas and wildlife viewing from your room.
Elsa’s Private House is ideal for families or those guests after a little more luxury, with two bedrooms, a comfy main sitting and dining room, and a private garden and pool – you will also have an expert guide who will privately guide you throughout.
Elsa’s Honeymoon suite is the ultimate in romance, with three levels and breathtaking views, the perfect cottage to while away your days after an exciting morning of game viewing.
Activities at Elsa’s include day and night game drives, bush walks, bush meals and sundowners, cultural visits, day excursions to the Tana River, line fishing, swimming and massages.
Elsa’s Kopje works hard to preserve and promote community conservation, working closely with the Tharaka people, based near the southern boundary of the park – the lodge buys their handcrafts, promotes dancing performances which revenue money for the tribe, and finances the building of local schools through clients donations and from the lodge, Elsa’s Kopje also buy fresh produce off the farmers and employs a number of staff from the local Kanjoo community.
Location: Meru National Park, Northern Kenya
No of rooms: 6 cottages, 3 honeymoon suite, 1 two bedroom cottage, 1 private house (2 bedrooms)
Style: Luxury cottages with sweeping views
Highlights: Remote wilderness, exceptional guiding, good food, George and Joy Adamson
Dining: Eat at separate tables under the stars or in the cosy dining and sitting area
What’s the difference: Views over Meru National Park with excellent game viewing and museum dedicated to Elsa the Lion from Born Free, and George Adamson.
The Luxury Safari Company Award for: Closest Lodge to the site of most of George Adamsons work.
4. Nairobi Tented Camp
The first and only tented camp inside Nairobi National Park – Deep within a riverine forest minutes from Jomo Kenyatta Airport, Wilson Airport and Nairobi City is a true wilderness experience. Visitors can arrive into Kenya and get ‘straight under canvas’ within 30 minutes of leaving the airport. Nairobi Tented Camp is an authentic tented camp in the heart of Nairobi National Park.
It is the first accommodation of any sort to be allowed in this unique safari destination. It is also the first tented accommodation in Nairobi. There isn’t anywhere else in the world like it; a wilderness escape where you can savour the thrill of camping in the heart of thick bushland right on the doorstep of Nairobi.
With sweeping plains on one side and Nairobi city on the other, Nairobi National Park is a wildlife haven unlike any other, with guaranteed sightings of rhino a reason in itself to visit, and Nairobi Tented Camp offers guests the opportunity to really get to know this unique destination and its wildlife.
International visitors will leave Jomo Kenyatta airport and within ten minutes start their wildlife encounter, with the last 20 minutes of their short half an hour journey filled with the excitement of their first game drive in Kenya.
Location: Nairobi National Park, Kenya
No of rooms: small bush camp
Style: Comfortable and rustic bush camp
Highlights: The only camp in Nairobi National Park, fun and friendly atmosphere
Dining: In the mess area
5. The Majlis
The Majlis is a small luxury beach hotel which looks directly at Peponis across the channel. Beautiful beaches and views combine to make this hotel tranquil and idyllic. The hotel is decorated with the true Italian flare of its owner, and is heart breakingly beautiful. The 25 suites are divided between three villas, all directly on the beach, with huge verandahs overlooking the white sand and azure water of the Indian Ocean.
From the Majlis you can do everything, but a visit to Shela or Lamu town is a must, and making the most of the lodge’s exceptional restaurant is a definite.
From the Majlis, one can also do the most fantastic dhow safari. The relaxing and luxurious dhow will sail you towards the Tana River Delta, here you will be collected by a guide from Tana Delta Dune Lodge, a luxurious boutique lodge (one of Kenya’s hidden jewels) – here you can spend the day, or even a night, enjoying delicious food, a friendly atmosphere, the sheer feeling of wilderness, and you might spot a few crocodiles and hippos while you’re there – before returning by dhow back to The Majlis.
Location: Manda Island, Northern Kenya Coast
No of rooms: 25 suites
Style: Colonial settlers residence, set in the beautiful Shela town
Highlights: Peponis bar, the food, people watching from your sunbed or lunch, Shela Beach
Dining: Flexible dining options
6. Manda Bay
Manda Bay is a small boutique hotel famous for it’s private location and fabulous hosting and atmosphere. All of the bandas are on the beach, and Manda’s atmosphere is that of barefoot luxury and utter freedom to be yourself and relax. The buildings are in keeping with the local style, and built out of natural materials.
There is a central dining room, with furniture crafted out of Lamu antiques, the large bar and sitting room are on the waterfront, and the game room encompasses a fresh water swimming pool. Manda Bay can also offer beach and bush experiences, as well as a huge array of water sports, for those more active, although to relax here is to truly unwind.
Location: Manda Island, Northern Kenya Coast
No of rooms: 16
Style: Luxury beach bandas, with private beach
Highlights: Family atmosphere, fun hosting
Dining: Flexible dining options
What’s the difference: Romantic, breezy and remote – this lodge is totally unique and offers every water sport and activity under the sun, of which our favourite was the sunset dhow cruise with bitings, just magical.
The Luxury Safari Company Award for: Best beach lodge in Lamu.
7. Water Lovers
Water Lovers is a small and charming boutique hotel which feels small and intimate, with a beautiful view of the Indian Ocean. The turtle shaped infinity pool is inviting during the hot days, and there is plenty of space for all guests to be totally private and exclusive. Each cottage has a private ocean view verandah, and cuisine is exotic and delicious. Each cottage has air conditioning, fans, mosquito nets and a mobile and sim card to use for the duration of your stay. The interiors are Swahili in style, and bright and welcoming.
Water Lovers can organise kite surfing, snorkelling, big game fishing, tennis, and much more, as well as organising personal functions such as weddings, functions and events.
Location: Diani, South Kenya Coast
No of rooms: 6 cottages, 1 family cottage suitable for four
Style: Boutique hotel right on the beach
Highlights: Private bit of beach in front of the hotel
Dining: Eat separately by the sea, or the candlelit pool
What’s the difference: Small intimate and owner run this little gem offers a fantastic spa, wonderfully friendly staff and a little piece of paradise for those wanting understated luxury and privacy.
The Luxury Safari Company Award for: Best small beach lodge in Africa.
8. Desert Rose
Desert Rose is the only luxury lodge situated in the far North of Kenya, overlooking the semi-arid wilderness. Desert Rose is eco friendly and culturally integrated with the Samburu people, a wonderfully charismatic tribe. The main lounge and pool area has been hand crafted to blend with the indigenous gardens, and landscaped to enhance the dramatic views one gets from the lodge.
All of the en-suite bathrooms are open air, and each cottage is designed around natural features. All food is home cooked and home produced. Activities here include camel safaris, wood workshops, fishing on Lake Turkana, staying overnight in a houseboat on Lake Turkana.
There are also journeys by road, either north to Lake Turkana for fishing and an adventure into this rugged part of the world or towards the Ndoto Mountains for some wild rock climbing.
Location: Lake Turkana, Northern Kenya
No of rooms: 5
Style: Remote desert lodge
Highlights: Desert, Lake Turkana, true unexplored untouched wilderness
Dining: Eat together in the open dining room
What’s the difference: It doesn’t get more remote than this – enjoy walking through uncharted territory from one of the most remote lodges in Kenya.
The Luxury Safari Company Award for: Most remote location.
9. Ol Malo House
Ol Malo House is a new addition to this beautiful game sanctuary and offers guests complete and utter privacy, with all the benefits of the numerous activities offered at Ol Malo, all of which can be done with your own private guides and trackers.
Built on the rock out of olive wood, with thatched roof and hand crafted furniture, with the hub of the house being a beautiful sitting and dining room complete with open fireplaces. Off this are three double bedrooms, and a further three double cottages create plenty of space for twelve guests to stay together in complete and utter privacy. The infinity pool is sure to draw all the family, and the verandah is perfect to survey those wide-open vistas, and ideal for al fresco dining.
Location: Privately owned game sanctuary, Laikipia, Northern Kenya
No of rooms: 6 bedroom house
Style: Luxury private house
Highlights: Samburu people, conservation and flexibility in activities, private guide and meals
Dining: Meals eaten in your private house
10. Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge is located on a private conservancy of 6,000 acres, just five minutes from Amboseli National Park, and is a successful new addition to the luxury lodge circuit in Kenya. The lodge is an eco-friendly operation which takes maximum care of the environment and it’s people. Each cottage has it’s own wooden decked verandah with views of Kilimanjaro, which can also be seen from your enormous bathtub. Tawi cottages also have fireplaces and butlers.
The style of the lodge is peace and tranquility, from the comfort of some seriously luxurious cottages, from which you can enjoy a sundowner or drink whilst watching elephant amble along the foothills of Kilimanjaro. Relax before dinner by the campfire or at the bush bar, and take in the nightsounds and stars.
Enjoy exciting game drives or relax by the pool after a massage – night game drives are also a must.
Location: Amboseli National Park, Southern Kenya
No of rooms: 12
Style: Cottages with views of Kilimanjaro
Highlights: Elephant viewing, swimming pool
Dining: Eat together or separately, bush meals
Content courtesy of The Luxury Safari Company & Nairobi fashion hub
