Descriptions of Game Lodges Around Kenya

Desert Rose, Mount Nyiru (Samburu)

Desert Rose has been hand-carved out of the side of the mountain in 25 hectares of indigenous forest on the southern slopes of Mount Nyiru, which is believed to be the home of the Samburu God. There are five cottages with bathrooms that allow for privacy and simultaneous exposure to the wilderness, as the bathroom is open air. The lounge and dining room are perched on the edge of the plateau and have a panoramic view of the landscape.

Desert Rose is well situated and the vegetation surrounding the lodge is very interesting, it varies from the hot, dry valley floor to the cool, green forests at the top of the mountain. This beautiful area ensures that there is plenty of variety in the many possible walking trails. Walks are done at no extra cost and are accompanied by lectures on geology or the customs and culture of the Samburu people. The homestead also offers game drives, bush dining, camel safaris, helicopter rides, a swimming pool and natural rockslides.

Mfangano Island Camp, Lake Victoria

This secluded camp is situated on the unspoiled paradise of Mfangano Island in Lake Victoria; it's shaded by giant fig trees and lost to the world. The only way to reach the island is by a light aircraft which lands on a dusty airstrip, and then there is a short ride by speedboat to the camp. The lawns hug the waterline, flowerbeds and rock gardens surround the camp and enormous boulders sit at the water's s edge, a perch for cormorants and monitor lizards to sun themselves.

The camp occupies an entire secluded bay on the western shores of the island and the buildings are attractively built of clay and thatch in the local Luo tribe style. The main area with a lounge and dining room is open and fanned by breezes from the lake. There are six rooms, each close to the water's edge and decorated with local handcrafts. The en suite bathrooms with modern fittings are finished in local stone. There are plenty of activities to choose from, these include bird watching, island exploring, fishing for Nile Perch and visits to local villages and other islands. Mfangano Island is not only for overnight stays, it can also be used as a day trip from the Masai Mara as there are daily flights between Lake Victoria and the Masai Mara.