Kenya is a panoramic nation—irrespective of what number of instances you discover it, there’s all the time a street much less traveled, all the time a motive to pack your bag, hit the street, and chase the magic hidden simply past the subsequent hill. No marvel we name it Magical Kenya.
Two weeks prior, I obtained an invite from Serena Inns to go to Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp. I’d by no means stayed at this specific camp, however the street wasn’t unfamiliar. I’d handed it earlier than on my solution to Soysambu Ranch—drawn by the roar of rally vehicles and the frenzy of mud trails for the final three years in the course of the WRC Safari Rally in March. Even then, part of me had puzzled what lay past that quiet turnoff. And at last, it appears the Good Lord smiled on me—I used to be about to expertise this place.
These days, I’ve developed a quiet little behavior—packing on the morning of my journey. There’s one thing calming about it, nearly ritualistic. I’m normally up by 5am, the world nonetheless hushed, the town not fairly awake. I transfer slowly, intentionally—folding garments, zipping baggage, going by my psychological guidelines because the solar begins to rise. It’s my method of easing into journey, letting the anticipation construct gently earlier than I lastly step out the door.
The night time earlier than had introduced a gradual, whispering rain over Nairobi, wrapping the town in a blanket of chilly and mist—the sort that makes you exclaim, “Weuh!” However by morning, it was as if the skies had reset the temper totally—daylight poured in like a delicate blessing, heat and golden, draping every little thing in quiet brilliance. The climate was excellent—the sort that stirs one thing hopeful inside you. That heat, sunny Kenyan climate.
At precisely 8:30am, I stepped out of the home and made my solution to Nairobi Serena Resort, our assembly level for the journey forward with just a few buddies we’d be touring with. However first issues first—breakfast. How I really like the sound of that. The welcoming workers took our baggage for safekeeping, whereas others led us to the breakfast web site.
Contained in the Moroccan-styled Café Maghreb, breakfast felt like a heat embrace. The buffet was beneficiant and fantastically laid out—with glowing chafing dishes, recent fruit preparations, and the scent of buttery pastries wafting by the air. As we gathered over steaming espresso and straightforward chatter, I met the nice and cozy faces I’d be journeying with—kindred spirits on a shared path to Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp.
By 10am, with laughter within the air and the heat of Serena’s hospitality—led by JoyceAnn Wangui, Regional Gross sales Director · Serena Inns—nonetheless lingering, we have been gently ushered to our ready chariots: immaculate Land Cruisers, their engines buzzing softly, prepared to hold us into the subsequent chapter. Nothing will get me so excited for a street journey like these Land cruisers. Off we left the Resort in a convoy of two vehicles.
There was a little bit of visitors (the standard Nairobi Friday variety) as we left the town, gliding by the roads and onto Waiyaki Manner. Our first and solely cease was at The Nice Rift Valley Viewpoint. It’s all the time a sight to behold—take pictures, purchase just a few artifacts, and simply soak all of it in. That view. That crisp, recent air.
We continued for in all probability one other hour and a half, and eventually turned off-road from the Nairobi Nakuru Freeway, into Soysambu Conservancy, the place the camp is positioned. We arrived just some minutes earlier than 1 o’clock.
As we drove by Soysambu Conservancy, the panorama shifted—changing into wilder, quieter, extra untouched. The type of place that makes you instinctively decrease your voice and simply… breathe. Acacia bushes stood like quiet sentinels alongside the dusty path, and right here and there, zebras, giraffes and gazelles grazed lazily, unbothered by our presence. You start to grasp why this area is so beloved. There’s a uncooked, sacred stillness to it.
Tucked amongst golden-barked acacia bushes and framed by the shadow of historic volcanoes, is the gorgeous Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp. The camp sits gently alongside the shores of Lake Elmenteita—a lesser-known flamingo haven throughout the Soysambu Conservancy. It’s shut sufficient for a weekend escape, but far sufficient to really feel fully faraway from the town’s hum.
That is no odd tented camp. It’s a fantastically saved, upscale safari retreat with simply 24 luxurious tents—every one mixing the attraction of canvas with the consolation of a five-star lodge. You’ll be able to sense the quiet delight in its design: every little thing feels intentional, elegant, and serene. And there’s one thing about this setting—the lake, the historical past, the stillness—that makes time slowdown in one of the best ways. The view of the lake from anyplace within the camp was actually certainly one of my favorite views.
We have been welcomed by the crew led by Camp Supervisor Lameck Kimaru, with good heat towels, a glass of prosecco, and that signature Serena smile that all the time seems like dwelling, irrespective of the place you might be within the nation. All I may marvel at is the Lake actually infront of us with a few Zebras simply by the shores. That is actually the Magical Kenya we hold speaking about. I took a few moments to stroll round after which went again to the foyer for test in.
Test in was easy, took a few jiffy. After check-in, we have been proven to our tents—and calling them “tents” nearly feels unfair. These have been elegant, spacious canvas suites with wood flooring, cozy beds wearing crisp linens, and verandas that opened out to sweeping views of the lake and its flamingo-dotted shores. There’s a type of quiet luxurious right here—nothing overdone, simply considerate element, consolation, and nature seamlessly intertwined. I took time to take pics with my cellphone and ship to my buddies again in Nairobi who have been desperate to see this place through my pictures and Instagram. In fact, I acquired the most important tent, goes with out saying.
We had simply sufficient time to clean up earlier than lunch, which was arrange below the shade of bushes, overlooking the water. The breeze was mild, the dialog straightforward. Afterwards, we had a while to relaxation, unwind, and simply take all of it in. The type of quiet you don’t get within the metropolis wrapped itself across the camp like a delicate cloak. I retreated to my tent, took a protracted, sizzling bathe, and sat for a second on the veranda, letting the stillness settle into my bones.
By 4pm, we gathered once more for a day recreation drive. The golden gentle had begun to stretch throughout the plains, casting lengthy shadows and bathing every little thing in a delicate, amber hue—it was that magical time of day when the land glows, quiet and reverent. Our Land Cruisers rumbled gently by the conservancy, guided by our extremely educated driver, Mohammed. A strolling encyclopedia of the bush, he introduced the panorama to life with each phrase.
As we drove previous herds of zebras, waterbucks, and sleek giraffes shifting languidly by the bushes, Mohammed identified birds—so many birds. From lilac-breasted rollers flashing their technicolor wings, to secretary birds striding throughout the grasslands, topped cranes dancing in pairs, and fish eagles perched like sentinels over the lake. He instructed us, with a quiet delight, that Kenya is dwelling to over 1,100 fowl species—almost a 3rd of the world’s recognized birds. Instantly, each flutter turned important. Hen watching isn’t only a passing curiosity right here; it must be a nationwide treasure.
The birdsong was fixed, like nature’s personal soundtrack. The air was cool and earthy, full of the scent of untamed sage and sun-warmed acacias. As we climbed a small ridge, we stopped for a sundowner—crisp drinks served because the solar slipped slowly behind the hills, setting the sky ablaze with hues of tangerine, rose gold, and dusty lilac. We stood in silence for a second, every of us caught within the quiet grip of awe. It was that sacred Kenyan hour—when the bush holds its breath, and time, only for some time, forgets to maneuver.
Then, again to camp. Dinner awaited—one other scrumptious course of heat dishes, pleasant laughter, and tales shared over candlelight. There’s a sure ease that comes with days like these—when nature units the tempo and all it’s a must to do is comply with. I cherished each second of this.
Right here, it appears the times unfold gently: straightforward, undisturbed recreation drives by the conservancy, moments of quiet on the spa, horseback rides into the bush, or just lounging as birdsong echoes throughout the water. The camp is steeped within the wealthy cultural and pure historical past of Soysambu, but each nook is trendy, thoughtfully curated, and deeply stress-free.
The subsequent morning started with breakfast by the lake—a scene straight out of a journey journal.
Tables have been set on the shores of the lake, the lake stretched out earlier than us like glass, and flamingos waded gracefully alongside the shallows. The solar mild, and every little thing about that morning felt like a quiet type of magic. We lingered over recent juices, eggs made to order, croissants, and the simple rhythm of fine firm. I don’t suppose we actually respect such moments…..This nation, KENYA is really breathtaking and superb.
After breakfast, we had a delicate pause—an hour or so to ourselves. Some wandered the lodge grounds, others curled up with books or let the view do all of the speaking. Others took off to the spa.
Then got here one of many day’s most memorable experiences: horseback driving by the bush and all the way down to the lake.
The place else do you get this exercise within the wild proper? Guided by an skilled rider, we mounted our horses and set off into the wild. There’s a quiet type of intimacy that comes with driving—no engine, no rush—simply you and the horse, inhaling sync, shifting as one by a panorama that feels each historic and alive. Off we went for an adventure- one that actually makes this place certainly one of a sort, in the event you ask me.
As we emerged from the thickets, the lake got here into view—calm, glistening, timeless. The horses, sensing the change in air and terrain, perked up as we reached the water’s edge. Some trotted nearer, gently splashing by the shallows, clearly comfy by the lapping waves. It was a second of straightforward pleasure—the solar on our backs, the scent of untamed grass within the air, the water shimmering like glass. Peaceable. Uncooked. Soulful. A type of freedom you don’t quickly neglect. This was my favourite exercise of all.
We returned in time for lunch, which was once more a scrumptious, the unmistakable satisfaction that comes after spending a morning outdoor. I went to have a nap within the afternoon, whereas others took turns at archery (some surprisingly good intention amongst us!). Cool proper? What I really like about this place is that they’ve so many actions to maintain you busy, if you need.
I awakened from a blissful afternoon nap at 4pm and determined to take a dip within the pool—sure, it’s heated, and sure, it’s divine. As an alternative of becoming a member of the night recreation drive, I opted for one thing a little bit completely different (and barely adventurous): the night time drive. After a comfortable dinner, we bundled up and hopped into the Land Cruiser at 9pm, headlights chopping by the darkness as we set off into the conservancy.
There’s one thing thrilling about being out within the wild at night time—every little thing feels extra mysterious, extra alive. The air was cool, the celebs scattered above us, and the quiet was sometimes damaged by the rustle of motion within the bush. In simply an hour, we noticed buffaloes grazing within the shadows, and zebras, their stripes ghostlike below the moonlight. It was an entire new facet of the safari—wild, quiet, and splendidly surreal.
Three days and two nights at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp felt so good. From horse rides alongside the lake’s edge to sundowners below flaming skies, recreation drives by golden grasslands, lazy swims in a heated pool, and the joys of an evening safari—each second was a reminder of how fantastically wild and restorative Kenya might be. It was a Friday to Sunday escape, however it provided a lot extra: a reset, a deep breath, a return to self. Tucked within the quiet attraction of Soysambu Conservancy, this camp is a hidden gem that deserves to be skilled. I’ll undoubtedly be again—and if stillness, nature, and delicate journey name to you, perhaps it is best to too.
The publish From Bush Dinners to Yoga, Horseback Rides to Tented Luxury: A Weekend at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp appeared first on Capital Lifestyle.
