The Emakoko
Boutique lodge on the border of Nairobi National Park
Set on 15 acres of land and harmoniously built on the side of a valley, with the Mbagathi River below, The Emakoko is in a prime position bordering the far south of Nairobi National Park.
Access to Emakoko is through the national park, meaning that you can begin viewing wildlife less than an hour after departing the airport; pause to observe a lioness and her playful cubs, or wait as a lumbering rhino or graceful giraffe crosses the road in front of your vehicle.
Here you can potentially see four of the Big Five – lions, leopards, buffalo and black rhino – as well as cheetahs, giraffe, zebra, gazelle, eland, impala and hippos. The park is also home to 450 species of birdlife so is a great destination if you're a keen bird-watcher. As well as game drives you can go on guided bush walks, learning about the area and hopefully spotting a few wild animals along the way. It is also not unusual to see hippo from your room, as they often come close to the swimming pool.
With just ten comfortable rooms, this intimate family-owned lodge has an appealing combination of traditional and contemporary style. With an enticing pool and delicious Dawa cocktails [a mixture of vodka, lime juice, brown sugar and honey over ice], Emakoko is the perfect peaceful place to relax and unwind after the exhilaration of your safari experience.
Nairobi National Park is one of the lesser-known safari destinations, but animal lovers will find that it's well worth a visit – especially if you have a spare night or two before venturing to the beach or another safari area – and The Emakoko offers a superb alternative to staying in the busy city of Nairobi.
Top Tips from our Experts
Lucy
Destination Specialist
"A night or two at The Emakoko is perfect for recovering from a flight – they also had the best Dawa [cocktail] I have tried. When I visited Nairobi National Park I was blown away by the wildlife I saw so soon after getting off the plane – I had really underestimated it."
Nick
Senior Destination Manager
"If you're looking for somewhere comfortable, laid-back and stylish to stay at the start or end of your Kenyan holiday, I would recommend The Emakoko in Nairobi National Park as a superb option."
Hotel Features
Hotel Category
Location Type
Main Facilities
Accommodation Type
Board Basis Options
The Emakoko
Room Types
There are 10 rooms at The Emakoko, five rooms are are on the main ground level with the other five built higher up the hillside. The rooms on the ground have good views of the pool and river while the other rooms have a view across the bank.
The Emakoko
Food & Drink
The menu at Emakoko ranges from British and French influences to Thai and Indian, all with a Swahili twist. Each meal is accompanied by a freshly prepared salad from the garden.
The Emakoko offers three kinds of packages, they are:
- Standard half board;
- Half board with a safari package;
- Full board with a safari package.
Board Basis Options
The half board option includes:
- Nairobi National Park fee (24 hour access)
- Return airport transfers on shared basis
- Breakfast and dinner
Half board with safari package includes:
- Nairobi National Park fee (24 hour access)
- Return airport transfers on shared basis
- Breakfast and dinner with soft drinks, beer, house wine, non-branded spirits and a laundry service
Full board with safari package includes:
- Nairobi National Park fee (24 hour access)
- Return airport transfers on shared basis
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner with soft drinks, beer, house wine, non-branded spirits and a laundry service
- 2 game drives in Nairobi National Park
- Excursions to the Giraffe Centre and The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (time permitting; entrance fees payable locally)
