Masai Mara
This site by the Sand River needs to be booked in advance through the park authorities.
Must-see hotels in Kenya
Lamu Archipelago
Friendly Abu puts up travellers at his humble home and can arrange home-cooked meals.
Southern Rift Valley
Well, they've gone to the trouble of cheering up the concrete yard, splashing it in baby blue and pink, so that counts for something, even if the paint is…
Lake Nakuru National Park
If you're travelling in a large group, this stone farmhouse represents good value inside the park. Four bedrooms sleep up to eight people, and there's a…
Mombasa
If you don't mind the inconvenient location (lack of proximity to attractions and dining scene) or the Dickensian-orphanage-meets-the-tropics vibe, this…
Amboseli National Park
Just inside the park's southeastern boundary, the KWS campsite has toilets, an unreliable water supply (bring your own) and a small bar selling warm beer…
Samburu Sports Centre Guesthouse
Northern Kenya
One of the only places to stay in South Horr, this sports centre usually functions as a sports camp for local children. There is a full-size basketball…
Kenya
Although still nominally functional, this campsite is no longer recommended – the once-nearby park headquarters has moved elsewhere, making security an…
Kenya
The architects here have done themselves proud, managing the tricky task of incorporating both a petrol station and a couple of castle-like towers into an…
Kenya
A pastel-orange building conveniently situated on the main road south to Moshi in Tanzania, Tripple J Paradise is little more than a crash pad for drivers…
Northern Kenya
Slightly tatty concrete cottages that are fairly clean and secure. Though worn, it's much less so than other town-centre options. Tends to get quite noisy…
Gallasa Diqa Womens Group Lodge
Northern Kenya
The half-dozen very basic huts of the Gallasa Diqa Womens Group Lodge are located slightly outside of town at the western end. Luxury they're not;…
Southern Rift Valley
Although it looks like an overpopulated block of inner city flats, this hotel has clean rooms in a central location. Windows overlook the courtyard and…
Southern Rift Valley
This campsite, at the gate of the Olorgesailie Prehistoric Site, is your only option out here. It’s fairly basic (you’ll need to bring your own food,…
Lake Nakuru National Park
Housed in a block of low-slung rooms laced with green trim, this hostel is open to anyone, regardless of age. It's set in calm surrounds (unless there's a…
Kenya
The Meru South County Council has several bandas in the Mt Kenya National Park that can be booked – they are very basic, but will do in a pinch if there…
Kenya
Bunk-house at 4200m for the third night on the Sirimon Route. There is a tap and a pit latrine but no fires are allowed, so make sure you have a warm…
Amboseli National Park
Just outside the park boundaries, 2.8km south of the Kimana Gate, this camp is bare and dusty but friendly, with basic tents and simple bandas (thatched…
Northern Kenya
This place, a short way out of the centre, is clean (well, clean for Moyale) and fairly quiet. It does double as a timber yard, with several stray dogs…
Kenya
You're likely to spend your second night here, at 4200m on the Naro Moru Route, which has spectacular views of the different peaks. Book through Naro Moru…
Kenya
If you are intent on staying in Naro Moru, then this is the place to stay. Cheap enough for any budget, the rooms are spartan but clean and have mosquito…
Northern Kenya
The bougainvillea-dressed Morning Star Guest House provides for a night’s kip – though it doesn’t supply the peg you’ll need to place over your nose…
Lake Victoria
Although the basic rooms are essentially clean, those with delicate sensibilities might find the shared toilets a bit grim. Food is available in the…
Kenya
If trekking the Sirimon Route, you will likely acclimatise here on the second night at 3993m. There is a river nearby, space to camp and a small hut that…
Masai Mara
The rooms in this town-centre place, not far from the matatu stand, are a little dark and noisy, but they have balconies, small TVs and huge bathrooms –…
Kenya
As basic as they come and really only for those on a real shoestring, the Namanga Maasai Hotel has unappealing digs in basic rooms arrayed around rather…
Southern Rift Valley
Right at the lake's southernmost tip, this basic site sits beside a seasonal river and is really only worthwhile if the other sites are full.
Kenya
Mwea's most accessible campsite is very basic, with no water, toilet or kitchen facilities. It's close to the reserve headquarters.
Tsavo West National Park
This basic public campsite is at Chyulu, just outside the Chyulu gate. Be prepared to be self-sufficient.
Kenya
This remote, exclusive lodge sits at the scenic mouth of the Tana River and offers walking and canoe safaris (included in the price) amid the marshes. It…
