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When people think of travelling to Kenya, they think of scenic sights and wildlife not found anywhere else in the world. Kenya offers a range of stunning accommodation options, including family based hotels, luxurious lodges and also something a little bit different. Take the opportunity to experience some of the more unusual options, whether it involves eating breakfast alongside giraffes or settling in for the night in the high treetops overlooking the coast. Here are some of Kenya’s most exciting but unusual stays:
HIPPO POINT, NAKURU
A hidden gem quite literally camouflaged amongst the natural landscape. Hippo Point is a quiet spot, home to over 350 species of birds and 1,200 resident animals. The eight-storey tower is so well camouflaged that the wildlife mistake it for a yellow acacia tree. Styled similarly to a pagoda, the top of the tower has a 360 degree observation tower and a meditation room, while on the ground floor you can walk alongside the zebras and giraffes which roam freely.
WATAMU TREEHOUSE, WATAMU
The Watamu Treehouse is one of the most unusual yet picturesque hotels on the Kenyan coast. Overlooking the Indian Ocean on one side and the forest on the other, there is no such thing as a bad view at the treehouse. In addition, there are no windows – only natural spaces where one can experience nature without any artificial barrier. Created by local artist and conservationist Nani Croze, the property uses local wood and strategic architectural design techniques to ensure guests are able to appreciate their surroundings in a serene and natural environment.
GIRAFFE MANOR, NAIROBI
Giraffe Manor is a one-of-a-kind guesthouse where the resident Rothschild giraffes peek in to say hello every morning and quite literally, eat by your side over breakfast! Kenya is every wildlife lover’s dream and Giraffe Manor offers the ultimate experience as guests can wake up in the luxurious rooms, and are welcomed by giraffes of all shapes and sizes which you can even reach out to and feed. Dating back to the 1930s, the charming manor can be found in the leafy areas of the country’s capital, Nairobi.
LOISABA CONSERVANCY
Nestled within the beautiful stretches of land in Laikipia, the Loosaba Conservancy offers a night like no other – under the stars. Conveniently named ’Star Beds’, the handcrafted wooden four-posters come complete with insect netting and overlook either the Kibakoko waterhole in the Eastern valleys or the Ewaso N’giro River.
THE ARK
Modelled after the biblical Noah’s Ark, this hotel is just as attractive to animals and wildlife as the original. Due to its nearby waterhole and salt lick, the accommodation is a flytrap for Kenya’s wildlife. Guests have the opportunity to spot wildlife from any of the four viewing decks. Never miss a trick as the staff press a buzzer to alert guests about animals of special interest visiting the waterhole!