Manzili House

Our first stop was Manzili House for lunch. This boutique-style property has a unique atmosphere, reminiscent of Lamu and Shela on the Swahili coast. The rooms directly off the main lobby area might have slightly less privacy than some guests may be used to. For families with children, the villa in the back is ideal. The property can coordinate additional touring and activities based on guests needs – particularly artistic or cultural activities. They can bring in a musician to perform or have an art exhibition and the like. 

After the long flight we needed a bit of energy. A hot latte from their espresso machine was just the ticket, simply amazing. Lunch was extremely fresh and fantastic. The French-born owner of Manzilil House – Mina Gaillard, is often to be seen around the property as she lives next door with her family. Combining her passion for interior design and African aesthetics, Mina built the house as a private sanctuary before opening it to guests in late 2021. 

House of Waine

The family-owned House of Waine was slightly larger but not too big of a property, with a total of 11 individually styled bedrooms and a 2-bedroom cottage. Originally a private residence before being converted into a boutique hotel in 2004, House of Waine has a very lush garden in the front and the back. Not surprisingly, staying there feels like being a guest at a grand private home, rather than a hotel. Their little villa was a bit further in the back with a slightly odd entry right next to an electric fence but the unit itself was nice enough. We don’t consider it to be a significant upgrade compared to being in the main house. Small groups or families should make use of one of their adjoining rooms instead.

The main house rooms are large and comfortable. Each has a tub except one. Meals can be taken essentially anywhere on the property. House of Waine has a good, quiet location just minutes from Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Giraffe Center, and it is reasonably priced. 

Karen Blixen Cottages

Karen Blixen Cottages are also in a good location and for the most part guests enjoy its peaceful garden setting. Once in a while a loud vehicle would drive by on the main road and we were advised that the property can get very busy when they have an event. Nonetheless, it remains a good option for guests to have a relaxing couple of nights in Nairobi to start their trip. Many guests notice the hotel’s exceptionally friendly service and they enjoy the cozy atmosphere provided by the fireplaces in each room. Likely the most compelling reason to opt for Karen Blixen Cottages is its historical authenticity, being situated on the author’s original 1906 coffee estate. The hotel offers a “step back in time” atmosphere and it is within walking distance of the Karen Blixen Museum and the wildlife attractions in the area such as the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Rothschild’s Giraffe Center. 

The Emakoko

The Emakoko is ideal for guests who want to hit the ground running with their safari or those that have limited time in Kenya and want to maximize their safari experience. The Emakoko is within Nairobi National Park, about 16 miles (25 km) from the airport, a drive of about 45 minutes which isn’t significantly longer than transfers to hotels in the Karen suburbs. In the mornings, guests can have a game drive in NNP and then head straight to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre before returning to the property. Food and service were excellent. There are a couple of rooms on the ‘ground level’ and a few up higher on the hill that are accessed by a funicular which is an interesting and fun experience. There are lots of bush hyrax around the property, but fortunately not many tree hyrax which are known to be a bit loud through the night.

A bush baby joined us for dinner but apparently doesn’t come by every night. The staff nursed an injured bush baby a few years ago and she became habituated. Her daughter is now semi-habituated but the property doesn’t make it a focus or selling event for guests. If you’re lucky, she might make a surprise visit during your stay. With the right clients, we think this is a homerun property.

Hemingways Eden

For guests desiring a more sophisticated boutique option in Nairobi, we think Hemingway’s Eden with its artistic, “living museum” atmosphere will absolutely work. Formerly a private home, the property has just nine uniquely styled rooms, providing an intimate, residential feel. Guests enjoy 24-hour private butler service, a gourmet restaurant overlooking a lagoon, and direct access to the Giraffe Centre. We liked the lush gardens and indigenous forest bordering a small lake. Walking from place to place can be a bit daunting in the evenings when there isn’t much light. The pathways are relatively flat but slightly uneven stones make things interesting so guests should exercise caution.

We inspected the lofts and the main house and ended up staying a night in the master bedroom of the main house. The lofts were set off to the side and would work well for those wanting to be a bit more on their own in a slightly newer room but with a bit less space. The main house is certainly older and not built for efficiency but everything essentially works how it should.

If you’re considering a first or return trip to Kenya, we can help with all the arrangements inclusive of a couple of nights in Nairobi on the front end; please email Jason at jason@fisheaglesafaris.com or Bert at bert@fisheaglesafaris.com to get the process started. A good first step is a 30-minute Zoom call, so schedule a meeting for a time which suits you – we’re generally available during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, Central Time.  

Property photos courtesy Manzili House, House of Waine, Karen Blixen Cottages, The Emakoko (including NNP lions and rhino) and Hemingways Eden.