Pelican lodge, lake elementaita- Early 2013

Most remarkable: Outdoor shower; shower under the sun
Low: Food can be better

This lodge was fairly new when we visited and is located on the shores of lake elementaita, just a few meters from the Nairobi- Nakuru highway.

We arrived just in time for lunch so after the 2 hour drive went to our room to freshen up, then chill at the lounge just before checking in for lunch. The lodge has about a dozen permanent huts each with a balcony facing the lake and great for relaxing in the evening. The location of the lodge is very well elevated giving one a superb view of the lake.

There are two showers, one right inside the room and the other outdoor but attached to the room. Access to the outdoor one is via its own door which allows access without leaving the room.
In the evening, the hotel guide took us around for a tour of the lake for about an hour, viewing birds and taking photos.
Dinner wasn't all that but spending the evening sipping some whiskey on our hut balcony was enough to compensate for that.

During our stay, we came across the lodge owner who took his time to find out if we were enjoying our stay.

Serena beach hotel- Shanzu, Mombasa. Severally, latest stay early 2014

Chapati, prawns, spinach for dinner

Salad hog, with a Thousand islands dressing

Most remarkable: Food, food, food
Low: Rooms can be better, more modern

I have visited this property several times with my family and a number of times while on assignments at the kenyan coast.
What keeps me coming back to serena beach hotel are simply two things: Great food and great food!
I never imagined that an african man can simply have salads alone and go to tuck in believing he had dinner, but serena changed all that.

The salad bar has never dissappointed and is something i always look forward to during my stay here. Nowhere else have i found such a wide selection of salads, yet so fresh and a myriad of dressings.

Serena beach enjoys expansive open spaces next to the Indian ocean and wide access to the beach which is great for jogging and for the adventurous ones who wish to swim in the sea instead of the hotel pool. Like me.
This is a high end property and prices reflect that, but you negotiate for a corporate rate,  which is more pocket friendly.

During my last time stay here, which lasted 2 full weeks, the chef was kind enough to make us a cake of our choice on our last evening, and we also got a complementary bottle of champagne.
How awesome?

Mbweha camp, Nakuru- Mid 2013

Outdoor bathtub for our room

Breakfast table set outside our room. You have to request the previous day if you wish to be served breakfast next to your hut

Most remarkable- Outdoor bathtub
Low:None

It was a dusty Thursday when we started our drive to Mbweha. Mbweha in english means fox although i didn't get to sight any fox during our stay.
The camp is located in the expansive soysambu ranch owned by the lord delamere. The drive takes one almost to nakuru town from where you take a left diversion on a tarmac road for several kilometers before venturing into a dusty road within the ranch.

We were on full board accommodation which is what most camps offer since there are no nearby options for lunch anyway. As you walk in you are welcomed by a warm expansive circular lounge that has a fireplace in the middle. The same area serves as a bar.
Lunch was served on tables set out on the grass while dinner is served in the lounge area.

The huts have adequate space. You get a private lawn outside your hut for playing or just basking in the sun. On the verandah there is a bed for relaxing as the sun sets in the horizon, or you can set its mattress on the lawn and just enjoy the quiet atmosphere away from everything.
The most interesting part was the mode of communication. Since it is within a conservancy and not fenced at all, guests have to signal the guards to come and pick them. For this, you use a torch that is lit up by rotating a handle and illuminate the trees around your hut.

The highlight was the outdoor bathtub next to our hut. The tub is sorrounded by a hedge for privacy and it was just awesome to enjoy time in the tub under the sun.

Elephant Bedroom, Samburu national reserve - Late 2013

Lions basking on the banks of Ewaso Nyiro river

Most remarkable: Chilling out on the couches on the river bank and swinging on a hammock next to the Ewaso Nyiro
Lows: None

We were here for one night to complete a 3 nights trip in samburu reserve after 2 nights at Samburu intrepids. The property sits inside the samburu national reserve and it all so beautifully done.
The rooms are extremely spacious, beds are huge and the bathrooms have instant hot water unlike many establishments in remote areas.

Spending a moment on the couch next to the river enjoying the breeze is very relaxing but the sun can get quite hot around midday so you have to make sure you are under a shade.
We had beef lasagne for dinner and was lovely. Every room has a small plunge pool next to it where you can have a drink as you relax in the water.

The game drives were amazing- watching lions, giraffes, elephants and many more right there in their natural habitat

I would recommend it to everyone but make sure you spend atleast two nights for the full experience

Serena Elementaita - Mid 2014

Dinner- Duck and mashed potatoes

Most remarkable-  Awesome food, Spacious tents, spacious bathrooms
Lows- Wifi available but no internet connection

One thing i was certain about when booking this accommodation is that one can never go wrong with serena properties.
We booked two nights in the camp and the place was simply luxurious.
The tents are about a dozen or more and detached from each other. Each of them has a great view of Lake elementaita which is a few meters from the property, and each has a good view of the sleeping warrior hill across the lake.

We arrived at almost 3pm from Nairobi and despite being so late, the staff were ready to serve a sumptuous late lunch.
All meals were to die for but my favorite was breakfast.
The next day we booked the resident masseuse for an early morning one hour massage to start the day followed swimming in the hotel pool. My partner slid in the pool and had a slight bruise but the hotel was quick to assist with their resident doctor. A big plus especially in the bush

The camp had planned to have the guests enjoy the evening outdoors around a bonfire but showers later that day couldn't unfortunately allow.
That was however replaced by a great time relaxing at the tent balcony sipping some white sweet wine, enjoying the breeze from the lake, soaking in views of the lake and laughing heartily