An irresistible Big Five Kenyan safari
Perfect weather, evocative views, vast wilderness… Arijiju, one of Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges, is an off grid retreat space that ticks all the boxes for a perfect safari.
Arijiju, located in the Borana Wildlife Conservancy in Laikipia County, Kenya, is an African Eden, a magnificent piece of Africa, as beautiful and majestic as it ever was.
Imagine waking up and sipping milky Masai tea and gazing across 40 000 hectares of wild country.
Then imagine staying in an African safari lodge that has been described as possibly ‘the most beautiful house in Africa’ by Conde Nast.
All this with the added benefit that just by visiting Arijiju you are contributing to continued conservation and community care. It’s win-win-win.
So what is it that makes Arijiju such a perfect hideaway? Picture a secluded romantic getaway that is so beautifully tranquil that it feels almost monastic.
Arijuju is a bush hideaway that deeply respects the earth and treads so lightly its impact is negligible. Before building, the family camped on the site of the hill where the home was built to guage the correct angles of the sun and wind. This has led to natural climate control being optimised throughout. A living grass shades the hideaway from the hot African sun, keeping it pleasantly cool through the year.
Built from stone and earth, with inspiration from the rock-hewn churches in Ethiopia, vast wooden doors from Lamu and vaulted walkways that are reminiscent of ancient Arab architecture, Arijiju is in every way a truly unique home.
A sublimely beautiful, organic safari hideaway
Walls of hand-cut Meru stone and rustic materials epitomise the family’s love of conservation and sustainability. The African safari lodge, built from rock and grass, blends into the hillside completely and is solar powered. Inside, colours are also natural with raw stone walls and décor sans colour.
Floor to ceiling windows and glass doors bathe rooms in light, which showcases the varied textures within: soft throws on king-sized beds, leather desks, copper baths, crystal wall lights and roaring log fires create a deeply romantic and welcoming suite.
Three suites share a garden courtyard across from the living area, library, kitchen, games room and cinema. And there are two more down a private path.
Arijiju is about peace and wellbeing. It’s evident in the healthful cuisine that includes delicious salads, smoothies and fresh vegetable juices – all organic and revitalising.
And it’s also in the offerings at the thatched cluster of dwellings that house a spa, gym, hammam and treatment room – and there’s a yoga deck – all with green wilderness views and pure air to breathe. Remember, too, the infinity pool, which doubles up as a natural watering hole for families of resident elephant. All this, and you haven’t even left the house yet.
What we love!
- We love everything about this hideaway, which is why it features on our carefully curated hot list.
- The architecture by Nicholas Plewman is a statement in understated elegance. Painstakingly constructed over ten years and breathtaking in its organic beauty.
- The focus on wellness and the opportunity to rejuvenate mind, body and soul. Six hours of beauty and spa treatments are optional and encourage you to leave pampered and feeling, and looking, your finest.
- Sleeping a night in the rooftop constellation suite, safely under the stars and alongside a roaring fire, is the ultimate star gazing experience.
- There are so many activities to enjoy – from game drives and bush walks, to helicopter flips and horse riding, spa treatments, fly fishing and various day trips out.
- The library serves as a remote office, with Macs and Wi-Fi to use, if you must.
What you need to know…
- The house is for exclusive use only, and sleeps up to 10 adults and 4 children in 5 suites.
- Children are welcome and there are experienced babysitters in house, and a children’s menu and activities are offered.
- There is no malaria.
- Arijiju is a 90-minute game drive from Lewa airstrip on a scheduled flight, or 10 minutes’ from Borana airstrip on a charter flight, or a direct flight to the lodge via helicopter can easily be arranged.
- If Arijiju is unavailable to book for your dates, browse our other perfect hideaways in Borana Wildlife Conservancy, or browse our perfect hideaways in Kenya.
Reviewed by Keri Harvey
Edited by Dawn Kennedy