Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club

Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club sits on the western slopes of Mount Kenya near Nanyuki, overlooking manicured gardens and the dramatic peaks of Africa’s second-highest mountain.

Originally established as a private retreat in the 1950s by actor William Holden and his partners, the estate quickly became one of Kenya’s most famous highland lodges. Over the decades it has hosted royalty, film stars, and safari travellers drawn by the elegance of the property and the extraordinary mountain views.

Today the lodge remains one of the most distinctive properties in Kenya’s Central Highlands, combining classic safari heritage with modern comfort.

Landscape & Setting

The lodge sits on a large highland estate surrounded by gardens, forested slopes and open lawns that face directly toward Mount Kenya.

Because of its elevation, the climate here is noticeably cooler than most safari destinations in Kenya. Clear mornings often reveal spectacular views of the mountain’s jagged peaks rising above the landscape.

Nearby lies Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of Kenya’s most important wildlife conservation areas and home to large populations of rhino and other plains wildlife.

Accommodation

Accommodation at Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club is spread across the historic estate and surrounding cottages.

Rooms and suites include:

Garden rooms overlooking the estate grounds
Cottage suites with private terraces
Riverside suites along the forest edge
Larger suites within the historic manor building

The architecture reflects the lodge’s colonial heritage, with spacious interiors, fireplaces, and views across the gardens toward Mount Kenya.

Safari Experience / Activities

Although the lodge itself sits outside a national park, it offers easy access to several of the Central Highlands’ most important wildlife areas.

Activities include:

Game drives in Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Visits to the northern white rhino sanctuary
Exploring the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Visit to the Animal Orphanage
Horse riding across the estate and the slopes of Mount Kenya
Guided nature walks
Golf and estate activities

Many travellers combine the lodge with a day safari to Ol Pejeta, which lies a short drive from the property.

Wildlife

While the lodge itself is set within a private estate, wildlife experiences nearby are particularly strong.

In Ol Pejeta Conservancy visitors may encounter:

Black and white rhinoceros
Elephant and buffalo
Lion and leopard
Grevy’s zebra
Numerous plains antelope

The conservancy is internationally recognised for its rhino conservation programmes.

When to Visit

Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club can be visited throughout the year thanks to the region’s pleasant highland climate.

June – October
Cool dry season with excellent wildlife viewing in nearby conservancies.

December – March
Clear skies and strong chances of seeing Mount Kenya’s peaks.

April – May / November
Greener landscapes with occasional rainfall.

Insider Tips

Early mornings often offer the clearest views of Mount Kenya before clouds gather around the summit later in the day.

Because Ol Pejeta Conservancy is close to the lodge, it is easy to visit the conservancy for a full-day safari while enjoying the comfort of the estate.

Sunset across the lawns of the property, with Mount Kenya visible in the distance, remains one of the lodge’s defining views.

Oloi Shorua Must-Do

Visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s northern white rhino sanctuary, where the last surviving northern white rhinos are protected under constant monitoring.

It is one of the most significant wildlife conservation projects in Africa.

Oloi Shorua Recommendation

We recommend combining a stay at Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club with a day safari in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which offers some of the best rhino viewing in Kenya and lies only a short drive from the lodge.

Planning Your Safari

Many journeys include:

You can also explore:

At Oloi Shorua we design bespoke safari journeys that combine the finest lodges across Africa’s most remarkable wildlife landscapes. Speak with us to begin planning your safari.