Nairobi
While it might not inspire the Village People to dedicate a song to it, this central spot has a decent range of passable rooms. You don’t need to be a man…
Must-see hotels in Kenya
Kilifi
A slightly dishevelled yellow building a three-minute walk from the blindingly beautiful beach of the same name, Bofa Bay has some posh safari tents with…
Amboseli National Park
A good deal within easy reach of Amboseli's main Kimana Gate, this dusty but great-value tented camp has 20 permanent tents and six cottages, all of which…
Kenya
These three bandas each sleep two and are stocked with kerosene lanterns that add the right romanticism to a star-studded bush night. Located in the heart…
Nanyuki
The Ibis (which bears no resemblance to the international chain) is a little smarter than most other nearby cheapies; the few extra shillings buy you a…
Kilifi
We don't know why you'd want to stay in Kilifi town when there's all this beach, but if you did, you could stay at this ship-shape hotel that won't sink…
Kenya
The Tusk Camp was undergoing minor renovations at the time of research, but we were assured that the cosy alpine cottage, located near Ruhuruini Gate, won…
Southern Rift Valley
A Nakuru institution, the Midland first opened in 1906 as a hotel for first-class rail travellers. More than a century later, it's still going strong. The…
Northern Kenya
About 4km south of town, this is a nice option for those with their own set of wheels. The sunny campground has bickering weaver birds and busy rock…
Western Kenya
If you want a jungle adventure, look no further than this rustic place for a night or two. All you get is a small hut with no electricity and communal…
Kenya
Located 15km outside the Amboseli park boundaries on the road to Tsavo West National Park, the Sopa Lodge offers clay huts that are decked out in safari…
Kisumu
The town's standout budget option is one of many family homes in the area that have been converted into small hotels. Splashed in bright colours, the…
Northern Kenya
It doesn't exactly blend harmoniously into the countryside, but this large lodge, with accommodation in big rooms scattered over several blocks, is ideal…
Lamu Island
This old merchant's house gives the impression of genteel decay, with creeping plants taking over the inner courtyard. The main draws here are the pool…
Northern Kenya
Big news, folks! Kenyan Moyale finally has a decent place to stay! OK, let’s not go overboard. It’s hardly fantastic, but it does have running water that…
Lamu Archipelago
The Ritz it ain't, but it is the only place to stay in Faza. It's right on the waterfront and the clutch of simple rooms (with mosquito nets) catch the…
Kenya
At the southern end of Wundanyi, Taita Rocks Hotel is a fairly standard provincial Kenyan hotel that sees more local businesspeople than tourists. Rooms…
Lake Nakuru National Park
Flamingo Hill strikes a balance between accessible and wild, and offers a good deal. There's a smart wooden communal area, 30 comfortable tents (which are…
Eldoret
In a quiet corner on the edge of town, this place offers good value. Its spacious rooms were so spotless that we actually lay in the bathtub instead of…
Kenya
Little more than an open space cleared for camping, this campsite is basic but in a good location close to Hippo Point. There is a pit latrine toilet…
Northern Kenya
Built entirely out of local materials and run by a local women’s group, Nawoitorong is a solid budget option and the only one for campers. Thatched roofs…
Masai Mara
The largest and most popular place to stop in town, the Seasons Hotel has tired but large, adequate rooms with mosquito nets; the swimming pool is a bonus…
Malindi
This friendly little place is a real seaside travellers' inn – that's to say that seamen prop up the bar with mermaid stories, and drunken sailors make…
Southern Rift Valley
Run according to Christian principles (in this case, that means no alcohol, no smoking), this relatively new and abstemious place has tidy rooms and a…
Southern Rift Valley
Probably the best of Naivasha's in-town options, Eseriani styles itself as a boutique hotel, which may be overstating things a little, but the rooms are…
Southern Rift Valley
The statue of the buffalo seems to promise great things, but the lower rooms in this large hotel complex are a little dated. Still, you're away from the…
Lake Victoria
This KWS-run guesthouse, near the park headquarters at Kamato Gate, is extortionate if there are only two of you, but quite good value for groups. It has…
Masai Mara
This is an excellent-value choice just moments from the park gates. The large camp has 40 tents spread out in its rather chaotically tended gardens, all…
Northern Kenya
On the northern bank of the Ewaso Ngiro River, the scrappy (and hot) dark canvas safari tents here might not climb as luxuriously high as some of the big…
Kenya
On a rise beside the highway, this relatively new place offers simple but well-priced cottages and a decent on-site restaurant. It's fine for a night –…
Western Kenya
Just before the park gates and hidden down a squiggle of squelchy, muddy lanes (ask for directions at the park gate), this simple campsite is as basic as…
Southern Rift Valley
Resting on Hell’s Gate Gorge’s southern side and accessible from the Buffalo Circuit track, Ol Dubai has basic toilets, a cooking banda and freshwater. It…
Northern Kenya
A long-time favourite, this well-run place has small single rooms and smart doubles with friendly staff, mosquito nets and safe parking in the courtyard…
South Coast
This small, pretty fishing camp usually attracts serious (yet budget-minded) deep-sea-fishing types, so expect lots of chat about such things. The rooms…
Lake Magadi Tented Camp & Sports Club
Southern Rift Valley
In the town of Magadi, on a rise up from the lakeshore, these simple but appealing safari tents inhabit neat rows amid manicured lawns. It's not a…
Nyama Choma Village Accommodation
Kenya
With its light-blue walls and blue-linoleum showers, Nyama Choma is as colourful as it is cheap. Meat-eaters will love the large restaurant downstairs …
Diani Beach
You'll hear the waves lapping below and monkeys dancing on the roofs at this beachfront spot. Rooms are compact and squeaky-clean, with high beds…
Kisumu
This Yemeni-run hotel has character in abundance and is something of a focal point for the town’s small Arab population. Rooms have fans, mosquito nets…
Northern Kenya
This mud-brick castle bedecked in flowers is something of a travellers’ centre and is always bursting with road-hardened souls. Basic rooms with mosquito…
Northern Kenya
This smart place markets itself as the ‘Pearl of Isiolo’. This actually says more about the state of Isiolo than the quality of the hotel, but even so it…
