Best hotels in Kenya

Speke’s Camp is a small tented camp in a great location between Kenya's Mara North Conservancy, Olare Orok Conservancy, and the main Maasai Mara Reserve. The set-up is traditional safari style with a distinct colonial-era feel in a wonderfully secluded spot amongst stands of indigenous woodland along the Olare Orok River. Nine canvas tents provide a good level of comfort, with owner-run hospitality and friendly local staff. This area is well known for its excellent game viewing, particularly the big cats, a variety of plains game, and vast herds of wildebeest during the annual migration between July and October.

Springing up from a rocky ridge overlooking the lush Ewaso Narok River Valley and Laikipia Plateau, Siruai was built to frame the view and the wildlife that inhabits it. Its name alone alludes to this, translating to mean 'eland' in the Maa language and gazing out from your tent, you'll likely see these shy, regal animals around camp. Activities-wise, there is plenty of choice when it comes to exploring the surrounds, whether it's hiking up escarpments, canoeing down crystal-clear rivers, or spotting elephant, reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra on a game drive. Whichever it is, there'll be something worth toasting when you arrive back at camp.

Offbeat are experts at finding the wildest of places and setting up camp, allowing their guests to see Africa's four-legged residents up-close. The latest addition to their stellar collection, Ndoto is tucked away in the Mara North Conservancy where humans are a rarity and it's not odd to see leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and giraffe from your own veranda. Offbeat knows this land is precious and makes its footprint as light as possible; it's tents are entirely solar-powered and sit on platforms built from local river rock. There are just four tents so a personalised, interactive experience is guaranteed.

Moon’s Camp does simplicity extremely well. Tucked away from other safari-goers, the camp sits in 50,000 acres of private land in the Lolldaiga Hills. Home is one of the Meru-style canvas tents, from which sprawling views reach from the waterhole all the way to snow-capped Mount Kenya. Your hosts are Ed and Moon, the cheerful owners and safari-aficionados who created the camp to evoke passion, adventure, and a long-lasting love for Kenya. They're always on hand to make your trip memorable, sharing stories from their lives in the bush and their favourite things to do. And when you've made your choice, embark with word-class guides to spot Laikipia's remarkable wildlife.

Think Masai Mara, think Governors' Camp. The small collection of properties has become synonymous with the Masai Mara and none more so than the original Governors' Camp. Set in the shade of the riverine forest along the banks of the iconic Mara River and overlooking the vast, rolling plains, the camp was originally built in 1972 to set the standard for a new breed of luxury camps. Save for a few (welcome) changes here and there, the camp remains largely as it once was. Entirely under canvas, in a magical location and with an excellent selection of activities on offer, this is a classic and hard-to-beat Mara safari.

Exclusive holidays don't get much better than Sirai House, a private lodge set high on a remote ridge of the 35,000-acre Borana Conservancy in Laikipia. Surrounded by its namesake the Euphorbia tree along with wild olives and indigenous cedar. State of the art, built with au courant inspiration, exceptional views over the regions sweeping scenery are found in every direction. Marvel at your surrounds during an exclusive wilderness picnic on the shores of Lake Alice or flying over the volcanic Lake Bogoria and the world's largest populations of flamingoes. This is the VIP experience in an exceptional environment.

Located in its own private conservancy just one kilometre from Kenya's famous Masai Mara Reserve, Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp was created by Calvin and Louise Cottar in the mid-1990s. You're in the hands of experts – the owners are the fifth generation of a family recognised as the oldest established and continuing safari family in Africa. So you'll experience the perfect combination of adventure, adrenalin and comfort. The plains are alive with animals, the Masai guides are gold-star professionals, the tented rooms offer relaxation in luxurious style and the food is fresh and fabulous.

Set inside the world famous Laikipia Plateau at the foot of Mount Kenya, Enasoit House is located in the Enasoit Private Game Sanctuary, part of the Laikipia Conservation Project in which ranches and communities work together to preserve essential wildlife corridors. Previously a private home (built specifically for catering for lots of friends - lots!), the house itself is warm, welcoming and totally bohemian, and can sleep up to 12 guests in the charming tented cottages plus a further two in the Pool House. As a guest, the 4500 acre private game sanctuary is yours to explore on day and night game drives, guided walks, horse safaris and even helicopter trips. A fabulous experience if ever we saw one!