Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
This restored, centuries-old manor house offers a magical, wildlife-filled stay that is within easy reach of some of Kenya’s best national parks. Most visitors stay a few days but wish they had booked for longer
Place
Mukiama’s location is its main selling point, and you can enjoy incredible views across Mt. kenyaThe second highest peak in Africa. Set in a 300-acre nature reserve (complete with a dammed reservoir that attracts a variety of species bird life), The Home It is a three-hour drive (120 miles) from Nairobi.
Read more: I’ve found the most exciting way to do safari – by running a marathon
stretch
Stop to smell the roses, and watch the little bee-eaters collect nectar, because staying here is all about being in tune with the majesty of nature, as well as playing at being lord and lady of the manor. You are invited to consider Mukiama Manor as your own. Without being overcrowded or museum-like, there’s a touch of grandeur to the place (think roaring fires, chestnut pans and silver candlesticks), with a mix of period and vintage furniture (the original banquet table still stands in the grand dining hall). Just for fun, you might want to dress up a bit for dinner. Making this place feel like home, you’ll lose your heart over the two resident rescue dogs, Boo-Boo and Crumble.
Service
The staff are brilliantly welcoming (in fact they’ll be lining up to see you off in the morning and cheer you on in the afternoon), and service is always accompanied by a smile (and often a belly laugh). Every little thing here feels thoughtfully thought out, from the homemade cakes served at afternoon tea to the freshly cut flowers (grown in the gardens) that brighten the bedrooms to the swiftness of the laundry service, individually tailored – my delivery, freshly pressed, was made within a matter of hours.
bed and bath
All details are designed to bring the natural sanctuary of Mukima through the door. Nine en suite bedrooms, each with mosquito net-draped four-poster beds, are individually furnished, with names inspired by the surroundings. I stayed in The Secret Garden Suite, which featured delicate floral upholstery, polished wooden floors and clotted cream-colored walls. My dreamy view, through the original cedar wood window frames, was of the lawn and a spreading acacia tree. Expect ceiling fans in place of air conditioning (the manor runs 100 percent off-grid on solar power). Lovely touches also include fires lit in the bedrooms in the evenings. The bathrooms are simple but beautiful, with three bathrooms on the ground floor, all with cast iron, claw-foot baths. Two one-bedroom cabins, a short walk from the manor, offer complete privacy, perfect for honeymooners.
Read more: How to Plan the Perfect Vacation Around One of the World’s Greatest Wildlife Scenes
Food and Drink
.jpeg)
Served in the new glass conservatory, breakfast offers a choice of eggs any style with bacon and sausage, as well as fruit, yogurt and freshly baked bread. Lunch and dinner are served as delicious set menus (think local, doughy beef stew). attitudeThis is followed by homemade mango ice cream), an impressive 90 percent of which is produced locally. What they can’t buy is grown in an extensive kitchen garden, where egg-laying hens peck among beds of wild mint and sweet potatoes beneath mango and lime trees. It has a good choice of wine and cocktails Claim (in Swahili it means a medicine made of vodka, lemon, honey and brown sugar) is best sipped.
facilities
You’ll find a café, small gym and spa near the outdoor pool. A cedar wood sauna and wood-fired hot tub are located in secluded spots, as is a glass-house dining pavilion – perfect for a romantic dinner or a moment of quiet reflection during the day. As well as tennis courts, table tennis tables and croquet lawns, Mukiama’s standout offering is a renovated, private forest that is teeming with birdlife and home to a herd of rescued donkeys. You can create your own special safari experience (organized by the Mukima team) to include a visit to Ol Pejeta, champion of rhino conservation, or a tour of Mount Kenya.
Read more: A pioneering female bush guide in Botswana taught me about feminism and overcoming your fears
simple use
Due to the property being old, there are no accessible rooms and the bathrooms have no handrails. It’s also worth noting that there are stairs everywhere. There are rooms on the ground floor and the attentive staff will be happy to assist any distinguished guest with their needs.
pet policy
No pets allowed.
check in check out?
Check in at 3pm, check out at noon.
family friendly?
Unless you have fully booked the Manor House, only children over 10 years of age can stay.
at a glance
Best thing: Relaxing in front of the fire after a day of exploring.
Perfect for: Couples want to relax and immerse themselves in nature.
Not suitable for: Families with small children.
From Instagram: Mukima’s expansive lawn overlooking Mount Kenya.
Address: Mukima Manor, Nanyuki, Kenya.
pho ,254 726332399
Website: mukimakenya.com
Read more: Wildlife mistakes I’ve made while traveling – from hugging chimpanzees to riding elephants