The Emakoko

The Emakoko is a small, peaceful lodge built into the side of the Mbagathi River valley, right on the edge of Nairobi National Park and only around twenty minutes by car from both of Nairobi’s airports. At night the calls of lion and hyena replace the sound of city traffic. There are ten rooms, half on the level of the main lounge and dining area and half set higher on the cliff with views across the valley, each with an en suite bathroom, a stone fireplace and deep, comfortable chairs, decorated in warm, contemporary African tones. Days can be as active or as gentle as you like, with Nairobi National Park on the doorstep for a game drive with the city skyline as a backdrop, or a lazy afternoon on the veranda or by the pool beside the river. A boutique sells handicrafts made in Kenya. The Emakoko works well as a first or last night on safari for couples, families and photographers who would rather wake up in the bush than in a city hotel.