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.

Glass-roofed dining terrace at Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club at sunset, looking out over the hills

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.

The Oloi Selects view of Mount Kenya Safari Club

The Mount Kenya Safari Club is a historic country-club resort at the foot of Mount Kenya, near Nanyuki in Laikipia and a few miles from the Equator. It sits in the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy.

At a glance

Accommodation: rooms and suites, cottages including the William Holden suites, and two villas, Batian and Sendeo
Activities: horse riding, nature and forest walks, a golf course, a heated outdoor pool, a spa, the on-site wildlife rescue centre, and breakfast with the critically endangered mountain bongo
Dining: themed dinners, including open-fire dining by the Likii River
Children: a Kids Club, and villas with nanny rooms

Who it suits

Guests who enjoy history, gardens and a resort-style stay with an old-world feel
Families, who get a Kids Club and villas with nanny rooms
Golfers, riders and guests who want wellness and horseback experiences alongside safari

Who it does not suit

Clients who want privacy: the resort hosts conferences, weddings and social events for up to 300 guests
Guests who want a small, private safari camp with open-vehicle game drives at the centre of the day

Its place in a route

We use the club selectively, as a one- or two-night stop on a Laikipia or Mount Kenya route, not as a core safari stay.

Families

The resort has a Kids Club with games, crafts and outdoor activities. Sendeo Villa has two single beds for children and a nanny room, and Batian Villa has a nanny room.

Getting there

From Nairobi, the resort is about 200 km, or roughly a three-hour drive. Nanyuki airstrip is about 15 km away, a 30-minute drive, and the resort has its own airstrip for private charters.

What the rate usually excludes

Flights and road transfers
Activities and treatments such as golf, riding and spa; we confirm which your rate includes
Gratuities and personal items

What we would choose instead

For a private, intimate Laikipia stay we would look at a smaller conservancy lodge or a private house, such as Governors’ Mugie House.

Last checked against the property’s own information: October 2026. Details change, so we confirm them again when we quote your itinerary.