Desert Rose Lodge

The main areas of the lodge are open plan, and visitors have two lounges to choose from. The first is a cosy, secluded hideaway, filled with colourful rugs, classic reads and eccentric artefacts, and centred around a fireplace to chase away the chill on winter evenings. The second, however, is exposed to the jaw-droppingly magnificent view, with an extended open-air wooden deck for dining. Tucked just below are two 'loos with a view', and in the gardens on the other side, a beautiful free-form swimming pool and natural rocky terrace, perfect for a spot of sunbathing.

Five cottages are built into the side of the mountain, each completely secluded from the other by natural vegetation, and the curvy stone walls seemingly part of the rock face. Inside, solid, hand-carved furniture furniture is complemented by eccentric details (think wooden hands holding loo paper and a fish to flush the loo!), and there are cane shutters to open the room up to the view. Bathrooms are open air and just as quirky, with carved basins, sumptuous sunken baths and polished floors. There are also two luxury tents to choose from with the same stellar view.

A short, leisurely hike to "Safaricom Rock" leads to a magnificent viewpoint that also (handily!) has the best cellphone reception. Longer, guided walks with the Samburu people can be arranged, as can camel explorations across the harsh but beautiful landscape - book a short half-day jaunt, or go the whole hog and enjoy a two-day expedition, fly camping under the stars by night. If you're feeling adventurous, charter a plane to Lake Turkana National Park, or take the lodge's 4x4 to explore the remote northern regions.