Discover Nanyuki: Our pick of pocket-friendly places

Kongoni Camp [Courtesy]

Nanyuki Town is the capital of Laikipia County. This gateway to Mount Kenya is also an important wildlife conservation area. The town hosts a training facility for British Army soldiers and Kenyan Air Force pilots. Visitors can use this town as a base to explore the various touristic interests especially the numerous conservancies and protected forest areas like the Ngare Ndare Forest. The spectacular and varied scenery provides the perfect backdrop for a helicopter excursion.  We have a hot list of places you can put up in.  

El Karama Eco-Lodge        

If your idea of getting away is to enjoy nature then this is the place for you. This award-winning eco-lodge is set on 14, 000 acres of private land. They are invested in preserving the wildlife, birds, insects, plants, and trees in the area. They have six accommodation options each varying in size and style.

You can choose to stay in the Bandas, Rondavel, Hobbit House or the Little River Camp. Due to their commitment to preserving the environment, the lodge runs on solar power. They use locally grown ingredients from their garden and locally sourced meat for their food. If you have special diet requests they can attend to your needs, this information will be needed as you make your reservation. They have a fully stocked bar with beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks.

Spice Garden

Three things best define this property located on the equator with a backdrop of Mt Kenya: space, nature, and tranquillity. Take your pick from the furnished tents and wooden huts on offer or pitch your own tent.

Spice Garden offers a fully-fledged kitchen with a diverse menu but special arrangements can be made for you to have a cookout. Excursions can be arranged for those who’d like to indulge in activities outside the facility.

Soames Hotel and Jack’s Bar

This hotel, located seven kilometres from Nanyuki town on the Nanyuki-Naro-Moru highway, is named after Jack Soames, a European settler. The hotel has 12 double en-suite rooms in six cottages. Each room boasts a deck where you can relax and enjoy the garden views as well as the peaks of Mount Kenya.

Dining at this facility guarantees a home-made appeal with cuisines from all over the world. Wind the day down at Jack’s Bar with freshly brewed coffee and alcoholic beverages from their extensive selection.

One-Stop Nanyuki

You will find this little gem on the Nanyuki-Nairobi highway opposite the Nanyuki airstrip. This convenient overnight-stop is like a self-reliant community with everything a traveller could need - shop, dine, pamper yourself and sleep.

Shepherd Huts at One-Stop is based on traditional English design and can accommodate up to three people. There is a double and a single bed in each of the huts and enough space for you to pitch a tent. You can eat at Little Barney's restaurant located inside the facility. The facility is currently working on restoring a three-bedroom 106-year-old wooden house that was rescued from destruction in Parklands Nairobi.

The Old House

The Old House is a family-owned business has been in existence since 1995. The facility has 38 rooms hosted in villas christened The Villager, Explorer and Local. With 20 acres of land to spare, The Old House also offers camping conveniences and grounds for hire. They have conferencing and grounds to hire options at the facility. authentic. Enjoy leisurely nature walks on this riverfront facility before savouring their enjoy authentic menu.

Le Rustique

Located 800 meters from Nanyuki Sports Club is this offering of luxury cottages on a reasonable budget. The spacious rooms are well equipped for professionals, lone travellers, couples and families. They have a fitness studio and a spa for your relaxation needs. Le Rustique pride themselves in being food connoisseurs offering the best Mediterranean Cuisine in Nanyuki.

Ragati Lodge

Ragati Lodge is located five kilometres from Nanyuki’s CBD and offers a range of accommodation options including cottages, bandas, and a camping site. The bandas are ideal for backpackers and can accommodate up to nine guests. The cottages are en-suite and can accommodate up to four guests.

The hotel serves an à la carte menu and offers self-catering facilities as well as a well-stocked bar. There is a central fireplace where guests can relax at night. At the lodge, enjoy game drives, fly fishing, mountain biking, forest walks or simply take a walk by the river.

Storms Resort

This is an eco-friendly camp set along the Nanyuki River Storms Resort is situated 16 kilometres out of Nanyuki town. The hospitality facility has three, two-bedroomed cottages, 17 spacious permanent rooms, four exclusive tents, and six luxury mud-thatched rooms.

Of note is their African themed dining area that claims to serve the best beef cuts. You can also rent a bike from the facility and explore the region.

Kongoni Camp

Situated 22 kilometres from Mount Kenya National Park Kongoni Camp offers standard rooms, five traditional round huts, and a fully self-contained cottage. Kongoni Camp is famous for its homemade pizzas cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven and their tender steaks. The facility has an extensive menu ranging from grills, vegetarian dishes to homemade bread and cakes. They pride themselves in using fresh local ingredients. There is a natural tented spa set on the grounds and a heated pool.