The Emakoko
premier Camp | Nairobi, Kenya
| Read Reviews | Write a Review
The Emakoko is an elegant new lodge artfully built into the side of a valley on the Mbagathi River bordering Nairobi National Park, a mere 20-minute transfer from both airports in Nairobi City. True to its founders’ vision, The Emakoko allows travelers to commence or complete their safari in the wildlife environment that they have traveled so far to enjoy.
Our Expert Says
I love this camp! When you first arrive in Nairobi, usually on a late-evening flight, you have the choice to travel all the way into town (often through traffic) or take a night wildlife drive through Nairobi National Park to Emakoko Camp. That's a no-brainer for me, since I come to Kenya for the wildlife. This is a luxury camp to be sure, but it maintains all the authenticity that is important to me in a safari. And Nairobi National Park is surprisingly good for wildlife. I love awakening on my first morning in Kenya to the sounds of the African bush!
– Ben Bressler
The Lodge
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Number of Rooms: 10
The Emakoko is the concept of lifelong Kenya residents Anthony and Emma Childs, realizing their vision of an atmospheric safari lodge close to Nairobi yet offering a refuge from the city’s hustle and bustle. Five rooms share the same level as the airy main dining and lounge areas, while five more are positioned on top of a cliff, with spectacular views over the valley. All rooms have en suite facilities and are exquisitely furnished with contemporary African flair in rich chocolate browns, creamy beiges and crisp white linens. Deep, comfortable chairs nestle around your own stone fireplace. At night, you’ll fall asleep to the sounds of Africa — a lion roaring or the cry of a hyena — in stark contrast to the traffic, fire engines and barking dogs that are the normal sounds of the urban night. Enjoy a cocktail on the veranda, soak in the pool by the river, or browse the boutique for Kenya-made handicrafts.
Facilities & Amenities
- En suite bathroom with tub and shower
- Shampoo, soap and lotion
- Hair dryer
- Fireplace
- Tea/coffee in room
- 220v charging outlets in room
- In-room safe
- Central swimming pool
- Massage treatments (extra cost)
- Wi-Fi in main area
- Laundry included
- Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
- Credit cards accepted (Visa and MasterCard)
Wildlife Viewing & Activities
The Emakoko lies on the boundary of Nairobi National Park with direct access into the park for safari drives. Though right on the outskirts of the city, the park is home to large numbers of wildlife including buffalo, baboon, black rhino, zebra, cheetah, hartebeest, gazelle, hippo, leopard, lion, eland, impala, giraffe, ostrich, wildebeest and waterbuck, along with significant bird species. The Emakoko offers tours in its own fleet of Toyota 4x4 Land Cruisers, led by its staff of professionally certified guides. The lodge also has its own helipad, and helicopters may be arranged for private excursions to Mt. Kenya, the Mara and beyond at additional cost. Emakoko guides are not only wildlife specialists, they also know how to bargain and are happy to take guests shopping in Nairobi. Nearby are the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and elephant orphanage, and the Giraffe Center, where visitors may feed and interact with the endangered Rothschild’s Giraffe. Two game drives per day in Nairobi National Park and excursions to the Giraffe Centre and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are included (entrance fees are payable directly).
Nairobi is most often a gateway into Kenya's wildlife-rich areas, but Nairobi National Park can be a great introduction to the wildlife of East Africa. The below chart shows typical sightings of major species, while other possible sightings may include hartebeest, ostrich and a number of other mammals, birds and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on weather and wildlife movements.
| Country | Park/Reserve |
Black Rhino
|
Buffalo
|
Eland
|
Giraffe
|
Hippo
|
Hyena
|
Leopard
|
Lion
|
White Rhino
|
Zebra
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Nairobi |
| Usually viewed | Frequently viewed | Occasionally viewed | Sporadically viewed | Rarely to never viewed |
Climate
| Month | Max | Min | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 80° F | 56° F | 2.06 in |
| 26° C | 13° C | 52 mm | |
| February | 82° F | 56° F | 2.33 in |
| 27° C | 13° C | 59 mm | |
| March | 82° F | 58° F | 3.24 in |
| 27° C | 14° C | 82 mm | |
| April | 78° F | 59° F | 4.73 in |
| 25° C | 15° C | 120 mm | |
| May | 76° F | 58° F | 4.34 in |
| 24° C | 14° C | 110 mm | |
| June | 75° F | 54° F | 0.83 in |
| 23° C | 12° C | 21 mm | |
| July | 73° F | 53° F | 0.48 in |
| 22° C | 11° C | 12 mm | |
| August | 74° F | 53° F | 0.95 in |
| 23° C | 11° C | 24 mm | |
| September | 78° F | 54° F | 0.76 in |
| 25° C | 12° C | 19 mm | |
| October | 80° F | 56° F | 1.37 in |
| 26° C | 13° C | 35 mm | |
| November | 77° F | 58° F | 4.66 in |
| 25° C | 14° C | 118 mm | |
| December | 77° F | 57° F | 3.2 in |
| 25° C | 13° C | 81 mm |
Conservation
Your stay at The Emakoko contributes directly to regional projects managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service, which administers Nairobi National Park, and the Kitengela Landowners Association, which work together to distribute some of the park’s revenue to address issues relating to human/wildlife conflict, fostered by the predation of wild animals upon domestic livestock. The Emakoko has also initiated various projects in the area to ensure that the indigenous people, the nomadic Maasai, are able to preserve their pastoralist lifestyle amid the growing encroachment of urban sprawl and a cash economy upon their traditional lands and ways.
Reviews for The Emakoko
Review The Emakoko