This new African safari camp lets you get up close and personal with one of the Big Five.
JW Marriott has just opened its newest property on the continent this week, nestled in a 45,000-acre private conservancy known as the Solio Game Reserve in Kenya. Besides rolling, open savannas and nearby waterholes—with views of the mountains beyond—the sanctuary is home to one of Africa’s largest populations of both black and white rhinos and plays a pivotal role in conservation efforts, too.
Within the grounds of Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp, you’ll find 19 tented camps that seem like small blips on the massive landscape. Outside, both one-bedroom spots and a single two-bedroom accommodation, LW Design firm crafted them with timber, canvas that evoke the landscape itself. Each spot also comes with a large outdoor area that’s totally yours, complete with a plunge pool. Head inside, and you’ll be greeted by warm, rich hues, earthy greens, and materials drawn from Kenyan influences—complete with pieces sourced from local artisans, such as Kitengela Glass, Safari Bronze, and more.
You aren’t headed to this property to stay inside, though. Alongside rhinos, you’ll also get the chance to spot leopards, lions, zebras, and more than 300 recorded bird species, among many others. JW Marriott is offering up both guided day and night game drives, giving you a glimpse at what animals are most active after the sun goes down, too (spotted hyenas, anyone?). Walking and cycling are an option, too, to even further immerse yourself in the landscape, and professional Canon cameras are on standby to help you capture it all (with the help of some experts, of course). You can also opt for some more bespoke experiences, including helicopter adventures, trout fishing on Mount Kenya, and painting sessions at sunset. And the team at JW Marriott will also accompany you on a trip to the Solio Rhino Orphanage, so you can see firsthand how rhino calves and other animals are rehabilitated before being reintroduced into the wild.
As for food, Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp has a garden on-site where it grows its own herbs, fruits, and vegetables—and you can opt to dine among the flora, too, in a multi-course experience. The property’s signature restaurant, Mavuno, will also serve up seasonal menus infused with Kenyan flavors and touches of open-fire cooking, while you can head to Ember Bar and Lounge for some shared plates and drinks. Bush dining is also an option, whether you choose to indulge under the stars or the acacia trees.
Wellness, as you may have come to expect from any accommodation these days, is also a focus here. You’ll be able to choose from a menu of treatments, or opt for the half-day Solio Passage experience that’s meant to be a reset of the mind and body, complete with volcanic stone therapies, a glacial hydrotherapy soak, and more. Other experiences on property include a serene pool, a fire pit, and a library and games room that can help you unwind from long days exploring the landscape.
Rates here are priced from US$1,499 per person, per night; that fee includes details such as full board dining, game drives, and transfers to and from the Nanyuki airstrip. For more details, head to the property’s website.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by JW Marriott
