The Emakoko

Situated on the edge of Nairobi National Park, The Emakoko offers a rare experience: a true safari lodge located only minutes from Kenya’s capital city and its international airport.

Perched above the Mbagathi River valley, the lodge combines wilderness views with easy access to Nairobi’s main gateway airport, making it one of the most convenient and atmospheric safari stopovers in East Africa.

For many travellers, The Emakoko serves as the first taste of safari — often before flying onward to destinations such as the Masai Mara, Laikipia, or Amboseli.

Landscape & Setting

The lodge is built along a wooded valley overlooking the river that flows through Nairobi National Park.

Although the city lies only a short distance away, the setting feels completely removed from urban life. From the lodge terraces guests often see wildlife moving through the valley below, with the park’s wide plains stretching beyond.

The surrounding landscape includes:

• Riverine forest
• Rocky escarpments
• Open savannah plains
• Seasonal wildlife corridors

This dramatic setting gives The Emakoko a distinctly safari-like atmosphere, unusual for a lodge so close to an international city.

Accommodation

The Emakoko offers a small collection of spacious rooms designed with a contemporary safari aesthetic.

Each room features large windows and private terraces overlooking the valley, allowing guests to watch wildlife and birdlife from the comfort of their rooms.

Accommodation highlights include:

• Spacious rooms with panoramic valley views
• Private terraces overlooking the river
• Large bathrooms with walk-in showers and bathtubs
• Elegant safari-inspired interiors

Because the lodge is intentionally intimate, service is highly personalised.

Safari Experience

What makes The Emakoko unique is that guests reach the lodge via Nairobi National Park itself.

Transfers from the airport typically involve a short drive through the park, often becoming the traveller’s first game drive in Kenya.

Activities during a stay may include:

• Game drives in Nairobi National Park
• Wildlife viewing from lodge terraces
• Sundowners overlooking the valley
• Visits to nearby conservation centres
• Relaxation by the lodge pool

For many travellers arriving on long international flights, this gentle introduction to safari is ideal.

Wildlife

Nairobi National Park supports a surprising diversity of wildlife despite its proximity to the city.

Species commonly seen include:

• Lion
• Black rhino
• Giraffe
• Buffalo
• Zebra
• Numerous antelope species
• Rich birdlife

Seeing these animals against the distant backdrop of Nairobi’s skyline creates one of Africa’s most unusual wildlife settings.

When to Visit

The Emakoko can be visited throughout the year.

June – October
Cooler dry season with excellent wildlife viewing.

January – March
Warm and dry conditions.

April – May / November
Seasonal rains bring lush landscapes and vibrant birdlife.

Because Nairobi sits at an elevation of about 1,600 metres, temperatures remain comfortable year-round.

Insider Tips

• Arrive in daylight to enjoy the park transfer to the lodge.
• A single night works well as a safari introduction, though two nights allow time for proper game drives.
• The Emakoko pairs particularly well with Laikipia or Masai Mara itineraries.

Oloi Shorua Must-Do

Take an evening game drive in Nairobi National Park and watch the sun set over the savannah while the skyline of Nairobi glows in the distance.

Oloi Shorua Recommendation

We often recommend The Emakoko for travellers arriving late into Nairobi who want to begin their safari experience immediately. The lodge offers wilderness, wildlife, and excellent hospitality within minutes of the airport.

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.