After driving 25,000 miles across Africa in a truck older than ourselves it was time to hit the reset button. We landed in Nairobi ready for a new take on Africa. Instead of driving and camping, we would take bush flights and stay in hotels like Hemingways Nairobi.
We entered Kenya with a rush and excitement visiting busy Nairobi for the first time. Nairobi is not a city for weary travelers, but the historical neighborhood of Karen is a residential enclave with ties to the famous Karen Blixen. So when we found Hemingways Nairobi online and knew it would be the perfect place to recuperate after the long drive from South Africa to Uganda.
Hemingway’s Nairobi
The rooms at Hemingways Nairobi we’re the perfect place to throw on the do not disturb sign and order room service! We found ourselves ordering breakfast and dinner in our room while overlooking the Ngong Hills. With lovely gardens and a spacious balcony we took in the atmosphere from our room. While, modern amenities like a trunk with a motorized pop up flat-screen TV and high-speed wifi kept us comfortable. The bathroom featured his and her sinks, a walk-in closet, rainfall shower, and modern bathtub.
There is always tea and coffee in rooms on hand; however, if you don’t feel like doing it yourself each room comes with a butler. The Hemingways butlers are there to make sure each guest is completely comfortable with their stay. Ours was quick to deliver us all our meals, take orders, and bring us fresh tea and coffee.
The main lobby and garden at Hemingways Nairobi are like an oasis for bustling Nairobi. On the weekend the gardens take on a relaxed cafe atmosphere with locals coming to sip mimosas and have brunch in the morning sun. We found ourselves sunbathing by the pool and ordering drinks from the bar upstairs.
Hemingways Nairobi made for the perfect start or stop to a safari in Kenya! The Hemingways Collection also has Ol Seki, in the Naboisho Conservancy bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve. You can read more about our experience at Ol Seki here!
Great Day Trips from Hemingways Nairobi in Karen
The suburb named after Karen Blixen is the setting of the famous book and movie Out of Africa. We loved our time in Karen watching the sunrise over the Ngong hills. With all of Nairobi not far from the relaxed suburb we weren’t worried about getting too bored.
Karen Blixen Museum
This is the house where Karen Blixen lived while setting up and operating her coffee farm. Yes, you can close your eyes and just envision those Out of Africa shots here!
Kazuri Beads
Find handmade beads and jewelry at Kazuri Beads! Kazuri beads is an established business that employs disadvantaged Kenyans! They make some amazing products.
The Giraffe Center
You’ve seen the photos of people feeding real live giraffes. The Giraffe Center is about a 10-minute drive from Hemingways Nairobi and has been rescuing orphaned giraffes since the 70’s. The center serves as a learning point for young Kenyan school children and also releases the orphaned giraffes back into the wild. Foreigners are required to pay 1000 Kenyan Shillings to feed and kiss African giraffes!
The Hub
“The Hub” is a beautiful outdoor shopping complex in Karen where you can get clothes, food, coffee, and dinner. It is especially lively on weekends when there is usually an event happening in the large courtyard.
For Your Information
- A taxi from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Karen will cost you 3500 KSH. However, Uber is incredibly popular in Nairobi and usually yields cheaper rates.
- Hemingways Nairobi is one of the most luxurious properties in Nairobi and the prices reflect that. Room rates start at $500/night with breakfast (in room and at the restaurant) included.
- The Brasserie restaurant is connected to Hemingways Nairobi and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We tried all three meals here and found each one utterly delicious. Make sure to make reservations beforehand, especially on weekends.
- For a safari experience right in the city check out Nairobi National Park!
- A Kenyan visa for US citizens costs $50. If you are planning to visit Rwanda or Uganda (or both!) then check out the multiple entry East Africa visa for $100. East Africa visas must be applied for online at least three days in advance and paid for at your port of arrival in USD.
- Nairobi usually gets a bad rap for being unsafe; however, we felt safe in the capital city. Always make sure of your surroundings, don’t venture into unknown neighborhoods, and don’t walk around at night.
Book A Safari in Kenya
Traditionally if you wanted to book a safari you’d have to go to a travel agent and have them book your safari for you. They made suggestions for camps and lodges then presented you with a large bill. Most of the industry still operates in this fashion.
However, Timbuktu is a new platform that allows you to select the lodges you’d like and see the pricing per day that way you can select the best itinerary for yourself. They will then contact the lodges and help you through booking your safari. With experts on staff, they can also provide suggestions and arrange the little details much like a travel agent.
Check Out Some Lodges in Kenya
Kinondo Kwetu
We didn’t know much about the coast of Kenya before we got there. We landed in Mombasa after an epic safari in the Masai Mara and made our way to Diani Beach. Our first stop was Kinondo Kwetu, a small boutique barefoot beach lodge run by a young Swedish couple. The Bohemian lodge is great for both couples and families as there is plenty to do and plenty of places to just relax on this property.
Kinondo Kwetu has not one, but two pools – one for adults and one pool large enough to hold scuba diving lessons. The property has sunbeds, a sauna, and various hideaways used for meals. There’s also a stable onsite to go horseback riding along the beach. As well as kayaks, a slackline, a yoga studio, and a fitness center to stay active. It topped our list as one of the best Diani Beach hotels.
Ololo Safari Lodge
We arrived at Ololo Lodge not knowing what to expect. The location of the quaint country lodge is on the Southern border of Nairobi National Park. The lodge is owned and operated by a lovely Australian couple who were crazy enough to give lodge management a stab.
They have taken everything they know from their two backgrounds – farming and furniture design – to build Ololo Lodge. The lodge used to be a traditional farmhouse that was restored into comfortable stable rooms, Safari tents, and even a tower suite that all compliment the old countryside theme.
Plan Your Trip to Africa
- Travel Insurance: We don’t travel without travel insurance and neither should you. You never know what can happen while traveling so it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo provides excellent short-term and long-term travel insurance plans.
- Travel Waterbottle: When we’re uncertain about the water supply we use our Grayl Purifier. It’s come in exceptionally handy around Africa.
- Camera Gear: Chances are you’ll want a camera for your trip to Africa. We love the Sony RX100V for a pocket-size camera and the Fujifilm XT-4 for a professional camera. Check out our favorite cameras for Africa.
- Safari Clothes: Lightweight, beige, and moisture-wicking clothing are great for traveling Africa. See our favorite safari clothing here.
- Safari Hat: A good hat is both stylish and functional.
- Safari Bag: A durable bag is ideal for traveling around Africa.
- Safari Pants: We recommend neutral-colored pants as they’re great at hiding dirt and can match most shirt colors.
- Safari Shirt: Shirts like these are lightweight and keep the bugs away!
- Boots: While you don’t need to wear sturdy shoes every day, at least one pair of safari boots will make your trip nicer!
- Travel Adapter: You’ll need a special travel adapter for traveling to Africa. Get one before you get there so you don’t pay a premium on the ground.
Africa Travel Tips
- Read These Tips On Travel in Africa
- What to Know Before You Go To Morocco
- Namibia Travel Tips You Should Know
- Why Traveling In Africa is Expensive
- Things To Know Before You Travel To Botswana
- Read These Tips On Travel in Zimbabwe
- 12 Tips On Travel To Zanzibar You Should Read
- 20 South Africa Travel Tips
Safari Destinations
- The Best Safari Destinations To Sport Wildlife
- Your Guide To Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
- The Magic of Kafue National Park
- A Masai Mara Guide For Safari Goers
- Africa’s Safari Animals And Where To Find Them
- Gorilla Trekking in Uganda – All You Need To Know
- Inside Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve
- A Week in South Luangwa National Park
