Nairobi Tented Camp

Nairobi Tented Camp - Kenya Safari accommodation in Nairobi

The only accommodation inside Nairobi National Park, Nairobi Tented Camp opened in 2010. A traditionally styled camp of large tents, it's located in a hilly, densely wooded area of fig, ebony and wild olive trees on the west side of the park, close to several popular south-west Nairobi attractions.

The major advantage of staying at Nairobi Tented Camp, apart from the beautiful environment itself, is being able to transfer to and from either Wilson domestic airport or Jomo Kenyatta International (JKIA) without having to struggle through the Nairobi traffic. Nairobi Tented Camp is permitted to do night transfers through the park, so there is a lot of flexibility.

An alternative overnight or day-room option in the park area would be the beautiful Emakoko which straddles the southern park boundary. With its sumptuous rooms and pool, it offers a completely different stay – much more of a hotel-style lodge.

The approach to Nairobi Tented Camp is off the plains and up a bumpy trail though the forest. Vehicles are left in a clearing and you do the last 200m from the parking area on foot, with traditionally dressed Maasai warriors carrying your bags. As always, their garb is everyday wear, not put on for show; they normally switch to Western clothes for a trip to the city. As the camp is unfenced, the Maasai askari team will escort you everywhere, as dangerous wildlife does wander into camp on occasions.

Nairobi Tented Camp’s lounge and mess tents are set in a clearing, where big forest trees lend shade and troops of monkeys periodically use the canvas roofs as a trampoline to bounce from one tree to the next. There’s a nicely laid-out dining tent, with grass mats on the floor and sheepskins thoughtfully added to the standard folding wood-and-canvas dining chairs around large dining tables, where guests often eat together. Two steps away is the lounge tent – cosily furnished with a big Indian carpet, deep sofas and armchairs – which also serves as reception.

Behind the lounge and mess is the fire pit, where guests gather before dinner to talk about the day – and after dinner to talk a bit more, and to listen to the African night.

There are also hammocks for lazy afternoon siestas where you can sleep off lunch – before filling up again on tea and cakes before your afternoon game drive.

Set among the trees, Nairobi Tented Camp has eight good-sized tents, which are accessed via a gently rising earth footpath that passes right in front of them (and obviously has an impact on privacy). The tents are pitched lengthways, which allows for a long entrance and veranda (with a table and directors’ chairs) and makes them feel extra spacious, but they are relatively close together – a little too close for complete privacy. They’re well provided with large mosquito-screen ‘windows’, with roll-up blinds. The tents are normally configured as four doubles and four (fairly narrow) twins, but this can be flexible.