A new three-stop itinerary by Fairmont invites guests to engage with Kenya’s raw and multifaceted beauty while staying in the country’s most iconic properties. It’s a panoramic experience of Kenya’s wildlife, culture, and adventure perfect for the family.
Golf Among Golden Zebras at Fairmont Mount Kenya
Two hours north of Nairobi along the equator lies the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club. Over its 150-year existence, this glamorous enclave has transformed from a hunting ground for the elite to a conservationist’s haven, preserving the very wildlife once at risk. The club’s commitment to preservation is embodied in the Bongo Rehabilitation Program. The forest antelopes, with their striking 40-inch horn span, have found refuge within the club’s boundaries.
Credit: Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club
Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the vibrant songs and dances of the local Kikuyu community. The club sits in the shadow of the majestic Mount Kenya, a towering presence that has drawn adventurers and luminaries alike, from presidents to famed writers.
Today’s narrative is one of redemption and renewal. The late actor William Holden purchased the property in 1958, and many of his earliest conservationist initiatives are carried forth by his wife—actress and author Stefanie Powers. At 81, Powers continues to oversee the animal sanctuary and educational center she founded.
The Mount Kenya Safari Club is now proudly owned by Humphrey Kariuki Ndegwa, a self-made oil billionaire. Ndegwa’s connection to the club is personal; his father once worked there as a dishwasher during an era less welcoming to locals. Today, in collaboration with the Fairmont management and the William Holden Wildlife Society, Ndegwa is leading efforts to bring sustainability and stability to the region.
Credit: Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club
Under Ndegwa’s leadership, the Mount Kenya Safari Club has embraced its Hollywood roots while forging a new legacy of luxury and adventure. The property boasts golden zebras grazing on its 18-hole golf course and diverse wildlife that mingles with guests during twilight walks. From horseback riding to spa retreats, and from strolls through rose gardens, the club offers an array of experiences wrapped in old-world glamor.
Accommodations at the club cater to every preference, from the spacious Equatorial Suite with its king-sized bed and panoramic mountain views to the cozy William Holden Cottages that echo the comforts of home. The Riverside Suites, Garden Suites, and various villas offer a blend of luxury and serenity, all furnished with modern amenities to ensure a stay of unparalleled comfort amidst the breathtaking landscape.
Serenity Above the Savanna at Maasai Mara Safari Club
Credit: Fairmont Mara Safari Club
At the Maasai Mara Safari Club, dawn breaks with the ascent of a hot air balloon. After rising at 4 a.m., we float above the vast plains, witnessing the silent spectacle of the Mara.
The club itself is nestled along a river’s edge. Guests will first hear—then spot—hippos submerging in the cool water, their presence a comforting constant near the luxurious tents outfitted with mosquito nets and four-poster beds.
The safari club’s origins are deeply rooted in the land and its people. The same balloon that carries guests today once played a pivotal role in the life of a young Maasai boy from the nearby village—now a guide named Stephen. He leads us across the savanna, sharing tales of growing up in the village and how, at age six, a hot air balloon found him when he was lost in the bush for several days.
Our excursion culminates in a bush breakfast—an experience as surreal as it is indelible. After a morning game drive, we savor champagne and omelets served on crisp linen—a luxurious contrast to the untamed wilderness that stretches to the horizon.
Elegance and Evolution at The Norfolk Nairobi
Credit: Fairmont The Norfolk
Steeped in the city’s multifaceted past, The Norfolk Nairobi embodies the evolution of a city. This British colonial-era gem, now rejuvenated by Fairmont’s thoughtful restorations, remains a sanctuary of calm and a bastion of luxury. It is more than a hotel; it is a chronicle of Kenya’s journey towards independence and progress.
The Norfolk’s rooms, where Victorian elegance meets modern convenience, are sanctuaries of comfort. Time-honored décor that echoes the richness of bygone days is married seamlessly with the amenities of today, ensuring every stay is steeped in comfort and history. The hotel’s prime location is a gateway to Nairobi’s cultural treasures and bustling urban scene.
Ernest Hemingway, who once sought refuge at The Norfolk, longed to return to Africa‘s allure even before he departed. His sentiments encapsulate the magnetic pull of this land, a pull that guests continue to feel to this day. Hemingway’s time at The Norfolk, then a haven for the globe-trotting elite, is immortalized in photographs and whispers of illustrious tales that linger in the lounge where he once stood.
The Norfolk’s narrative is intricately woven into Nairobi’s fabric. Established in 1904, shortly after the city’s founding, it has been a silent witness to history. It served as a crucial link for travelers from the Port of Mombasa to the hinterlands, and later, as a meeting ground for the architects of Kenya’s independence. Today, surrounded by the city’s modern vibrancy, The Norfolk stands as a living museum of the past and a forward-looking emblem of Kenyan hospitality.
Credit: Fairmont The Norfolk
Guests are welcomed into a grand atrium, where the scents of lilies and roses dance beneath the soft light of a crystal chandelier. The tropical gardens within its grounds, blooming with hibiscus and bougainvillea, offer a tranquil respite from the city’s pulse.
Each room, a spacious haven with plush amenities, invites guests to relax on verandas that overlook verdant gardens. The hotel’s secluded wellness facilities, including a gym, pool, and spa, provide a private escape. Culinary delights await at the Lord Delamere Terrace, where breakfast becomes an international affair featuring the best of African cuisine.
Just beyond the city’s limits, the wild beckons at Nairobi National Park, where nature’s drama unfolds against an urban backdrop. We pulled up beside a five-foot crocodile lounging at the lip of a calm lake, razor-sharp spikes lining its tail. Wildebeests, gazelles, impala, giraffes, and zebras all go scuttling by. The horizon looks endless, except there is a skyscraper poking out in the distance. We see a rhinoceros and her baby—scratching itself next to a rock, flicking its curious floppy ears—with the backdrop of the city around it. Over the major overground highway we would eventually take to the airport: a lion killing a small deer.
We ended the day with sunset and champagne in the park. As twilight descended, our car stopped. Suddenly three lions—two females and a male—emerged beside our vehicle, illuminated by the front lights. The male pranced, nonchalantly, with its epic mane. The land was completely dark, the lake illuminated icy blue by the moon. An epic reminder of who this land has always truly belonged to.