When traveling in Africa, many visitors prefer staying
in exclusivity in private homes and private ranches where they experience
freedom of movement and security while they conduct their affairs.
Private home stay accommodation is becoming common in tourism and
visitors to Africa like this for exclusivity, freedom and comfort.
You get a unique opportunity to stay with the owners of the private
homes in the urban centers, rural set ups, ranches or game sanctuaries
in their own homes or in custom-built accommodation. Most of the home
stays are located in places overlooking unforgettable stunning scenery.
With their superb accommodation facilities and warm hospitality, you
are also assured of first class and personal service throughout your
stay.
Home Stays in East Africa
East Africa is a region of warm hospitality to all visitors coming
to Africa. Its people are welcoming and generous in nature. In view
of this most tourists are establishing relationships with the local
residents to offer home stays to them when they visit East Africa.
This is a common practice in African home stay tourism of today. Many
families are shunning away from the normal hotel and lodge accommodation
which has been the practice in many years, and turning to home stays
in the urban centers, rural villages and private ranches which are
located near or within the tourist attraction they wish to visit.
This is common practice in the cities of Nairobi in Kenya, Kampala
in Uganda and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. There are also private homes
specifically built to offer exclusivity, freedom and comfort to the
family visitors. Victoria safaris urges those visitors who are planning
to study, volunteer or travel to Africa to consider staying with hosts
and experience the places they visit on a deeper level, through participation
in the daily lives of local people. Victoria Safaris has a close working
relationship with the owners of most homes, which assists in providing
for a memorable vacation.
Home Stays in Kenya
Tourists visiting Kenya are offered Home stays in three major categories
which are considerably affordable;
Urban Home Stays in Kenya
These are individuals and family members with modern homes in the
suburbs of major cities of Kenya which are Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
Victoria Safaris has a close working relationship with the many hosts,
which assists in providing home stays for a memorable vacation. We
will locate, book and arrange for your accommodation, and in addition
to the charming accommodation and warm hospitality, you are assured
of first class and personal service throughout your stay in these
homes at an affordable rate.
Rural - Village home stays in Kenya
When touring Kenya in the rural areas and villages, Victoria safaris
makes arrangements for these group of visitors to stay within the
homes they are visiting. This is most common with community and cultural
tourism in western Kenya and Lake Victoria region. Most villages within
this region have homes of those working in urban areas which are fully
furnished and left under the care of home attendants. Victoria safaris
have made arrangements with the owners of most of these homes and
we rent the same for a period we have visitors who desire to live
among the Community they visit. This gives the visitors a unique opportunity
to stay in the private homes in the rural village set up where they
can opt to cook by themselves or use the services of our chefs to
prepare all the meals during their stay. Laundry, house cleaning and
house keeping is done by us during your home stay in the rural villages
in Kenya.
Student Cross Cultural Exchange
program - Rural village home stays in Kenya;
This takes students to Western Kenya to the land of the Luos of central
Nyanza who have traditionally subsisted on fishing and small scale
farming. Students will be placed in individual home stays where they
will begin to explore issues of tradition vs. modernity, change and
continuity in socioeconomic practices, and community vs. state in
a capitalist state.
Here they immerse themselves in the daily life and ritual
of their host community and work with locals on projects chosen by
community leaders. They stay in homesteads in the rural village in
Kenya where they will eat local foods, sleep in a local rural homestead,
herd cattle ,use oxen plough, ride bicycles to the market, attend
market days and other village chores. Through hard work, they begin
to understand and appreciate the problems and joys of living in a
developing country.
Those seeking overseas voluntary work and volunteer
opportunities abroad will discover the difference one individual can
make. Whether you find yourself teaching English in a school in Africa,
building a community center, or tending to village daily chores in
Kenya, one thing is certain: this overseas voluntary work experience
will change your life. These are a trans formative experience to remember
and to grow on. All student exchange programs end with 6 to 10 days
spent exploring the environment and culture of the surrounding country.
On these adventures, you might visit the Lake Victoria wildlife sanctuaries
and the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Ndere Island National Park and
Kakamega forest. Our high school summer programme is designed both
for adventure and reflection.
This final period of your high school programme offers
you an opportunity to reflect on the experience and how you will integrate
it into your life back home. The student exchange programme is a two
to three week home stay in a remote rural village. We can extend this
program as per the demands of the students or the programme organizers.
Our high school summer programs allow a maximum of 18 students per
group; have two leaders and two to three in-country support staff.
Farm and Ranches Home stays in Kenya
These home stay arrangements are mostly in old colonial farm houses
and ranches. The location of the farms and ranches will often overlook
unforgettable stunning scenery, in addition to the charming accommodation
and warm hospitality; you are assured of first class and personal
service throughout your stay in these Farms and ranches. This category
of home stay is also suitable for researchers wishing to undertake
study of wildlife, community development or agriculture. They often
stay in the ranches and farms respectively, where they monitor the
daily activities of occurrences in their research activities. Examples
are those studying doctorate in various fields in wildlife management,
aqua culture and community development.
This same category is suitable for individuals, honeymooners,
families and women travelers who want complete exclusivity, comfort
and freedom during their visit to Africa. Victoria safaris have arrangement
with various ranches and farms across Kenya from the farms around
Lake Victoria region to the ranches in northern, central and southern
Kenya for home stays of our visitors both foreign and local. Each
ranch and farm has limited and exclusive accommodation and offers
a variety of activities such as guided bush walks, bush breakfasts,
picnic lunches, day and night game drives, horse riding, camel treks,
fishing and boat rides, farm activities, and others. The bird life
throughout is prolific and amazing to the bird watchers.
Ngong House in Nairobi
Ngong House is situated in Nairobi suburbs and it is a unique `tree
hotel’ overlooking the Ngong hills. The Belgian owners have
created 4 two-storied thatched tree houses situated well apart in
extensive gardens. The tree houses are comfortable and creatively
decorated in various themes. The cuisine is superb! Experiencing this
unique style of accommodation at the beginning or at the end of the
safari and less than 30 minutes from the center of Nairobi should
not be missed!
Rusinga Island in Lake Victoria
Easily reached by light aircraft from the Masai Mara, and by road
from Kisumu via Luanda Kotieno by ferry to Mbita, this charming little
camp offers fishing for giant perch, water-skiing and windsurfing
in the warm waters of the world's second largest freshwater lake.
Other attractions include bird watching, exploring the islands ancient
archeological sites, and visits to Ruma Game Park, home to several
species not seen elsewhere in Kenya.
Rekero Ranch in Masai Mara
“Truly African – stunning landscapes, fascinating cultures
and abundant wildlife” is the description of Rekero, the Beaton’s
home, is located in the world famous Masai Mara, situated in a particularly
good location to view `big cats’, such as lion and cheetah.
The Beaton’s cater for 8 guests in comfortable thatched bungalows.
Ol Donyo Wuas in Chyulu Hills -
near Tsavo
Ol Donyo Wuas is splendidly perched on a ridge in the foothills of
the Chyulu Hills, with exclusive access to a quarter of a million
acres of surrounding wilderness. The open plains, rolling hills and
snow capped dome of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the distance, invoke images
of an Africa as it was in the earlier part of the last century. The
lodge consists of 6 individual cottages. Aside from riding, walking
or fly camping, excellent bird shooting is possible during the months
between July and August.
Galdessa in Tsavo East
Sample the unique richness of the African bush. Galdessa is the pioneer
of eco-tourism in Tsavo. The camp is built using local materials from
thatched roofs to ostrich eggs for lampshades! Eight elegantly decorated
and spacious bandas all have private verandas and en- suite showers.
Hippo Point and Dodo's Tower at
the shores of Lake Naivasha
This is known as Nderit Estate. Michael Cunningham-Reid, the nephew
of the late Lord Mount Batten, bought 500 acres of land off his step-father,
Tom, Lord Delamere, to create, together with his wife Dodo, a retreat
in a Garden of Eden on the shores of Lake Naivasha. The entire estate
is reserved for wildlife and forms an important migration corridor
for the game in the surrounding 25,000 acres of untouched Africa.
Hippo Point House is the Estate’s original mock Tudor Manor,
set in a traditional English garden with 8 en suite bedrooms. A more
recent addition is Dodo’s `folly’, a pagoda-like eight
story structure which towers 130 feet amongst the Acacia trees which
boasts 4 bedrooms. The property’s powerful scenery combined
with understated luxury of its interiors, abundance of game and architectural
diversity makes Nderit an exceptional destination.
Loldia on the northern shores of
Lake Naivasha
This is a 6,500 acre farm on the northern shores of Lake Naivasha,
with a rambling colonial style house idyllically situated with breath
taking views over the lake to the dormant volcano Mt. Longonot beyond.
The farm house was built in the 1940’s and designed much as
were settler houses of that era, around a small courtyard. The restored
comfortable old style furniture within contributes to the warm and
hospitable atmosphere. Bedroom accommodation is in the main building,
or in separate en-suite cottages. Third generation Hopcraft family
continue to farm the land, but Peter Njoroge, the house manager is
renowned for making guests feel comfortable and relaxed and that nothing
is too much trouble. “Much to return for”.
Loisaba Lodge and its Star Beds
Loisaba is a 65,000 acre private wildlife conservancy and working
cattle ranch. The main lodge is constructed from local timber and
thatch and is perched high on the edge of a plateau with 7 bedrooms.
However, the main attraction of Loisaba Wilderness is the unique `star
beds’. One set of star beds overlooks a waterhole which attracts
wildlife, and the second set is located on the banks of the Ewaso
N’giro River. The beds are on a raised wooden platform, partially
covered with a thatched roof, with the four poster beds uniquely designed
on wheels which can be wheeled onto the open deck area for a night
under the stars or left under the shelter of the roof. Copious insect
netting over the beds ensures bug free nights.
The Mukutan retreat
This is a unique refuge overlooking the spectacular Mukutan Gorge
on the edge of the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. It is situated on conservationist
and author Kuki Galmann’s 100,000 acre Ol Ari Nyiro ranch where
she penned her haunting autobiography 'I dreamed of Africa’.
Three large and spacious cottages each with large double fireplace,
built in elegant traditional style providing luxurious and romantic
accommodation for up to 6 persons. The unique setting and the evocative
sounds of Africa make Mukutan Retreat an exclusive hideaway.
Borana Ranch in Laikipia
A 35,000 acre ranch on the foothills of Mt. Kenya just sixteen miles
from the equator settled by the Powys family in the 1920’s and
still in family hands. It has 6 guest cottages built entirely from
local materials, decorated in unaffected but luxurious `up-country’
style, giving each room an individual character. In addition to the
usual activities mentioned above, Borana has a well stocked lake below
the lodge, and they can organize helicopter or road trips to the challenging
but rewarding trout streams on Mt. Kenya. “A stunning piece
of nature and a luxurious lodge, make this one of the best experiences”.
Ol Malo in Laikipia
This is a 5000 acre game sanctuary, home to Colin and Rocky Francombe.
The buildings are shaped by natural rock with thatched roof and the
curve of ancient olive wood. The guest cottages are discreetly nestled
between rocks and cliffs overlooking a much frequented water hole
and salt lick below, surrounded by miles of rugged bush. The lodge
boasts a swimming pool with stunning views. “The view is vast
and beautiful”.
Lewa Downs at the foothills of Mt.
Kenya
This is a 45,000 acre ranch nestled in the foothills of Mt Kenya,
Lewa Downs is a vast tract of pristine wilderness dedicated to the
preservation of Africa's wild creatures. Among the many remarkable
residents are a sizeable population of the rare black rhino. The delightful
cottages comprise two bedrooms with en-suite facilities, a central
living room with open fireplace, and a veranda.
These are some of the Home Stays
in Kenya:
Giraffe Manor - Nairobi, Deloraine - Lake Nakuru, Kampi ya Kanzi -
Tsavo West, Kilalinda - Tsavo East, Desert Rose - Lake Turkana, Longonot
House - Lake Naivasha, Mundui Estate - Lake Naivasha, Mutumaiyo -
Laikipia, Shompoli - near Lake Magadi, Richard's Camp - Masai Mara,
Dominion Farm - Siaya, Opoda Farm - Bondo.
Customize Your Home Stays Tours and Safaris with us.
