Lonrho :: Mount Kenya Safari Club

With magnificent views of majestic Mount Kenya, the Safari Club's 115 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, set in over 100 acres of landscaped gardens, offer a unique blend of comfort, relaxation and adventure. Originally the retreat of movie star and Club founder, William Holden, the Club's illustrious former members have included Winston Churchill and Bing Crosby.

For those who wish to spend time relaxing at the Club, there are many recreational activities available: horse riding, golf, croquet, a putting green, a bowling green, table tennis, swimming, a beauty salon, an animal orphanage and much more. To be able to relax and appreciate the superb setting, the personal attention lavished on all our visitors, the numerous activities and superb cuisine, one night is just not enough. Mount Kenya Safari Club is the ideal base for a truly superb holiday in Kenya. With some of the country's finest attractions on the doorstep visitors can enjoy an enormous range of excursions and activities without spending hours and even days travelling between each.

Accommodations

There are 115 standard and superior guest rooms spread out in the delightful grounds of the Club. Superior accommodation comprises Suites, Studio Suites and Cottages. The Suites have a twin-bedded room, with fireplace, one sitting room, a fully stocked mini-bar, private verandah overlooking the river and Mount Kenya, and a large bathroom with sunken bath. The Studio Suites each have double bed and fireplace, private verandah overlooking the river and Mount Kenya, sitting area, a large bathroom with sunken bath, and a fully stocked mini-bar. The superior guest rooms are located in the Garden Suites, William Holden Cottages, Riverside Cottages, and the three houses, Lenana, Batian and River House.

STANDARD GUEST ROOMS
Each standard guest room is furnished with rugs, bedside lamps, dressing tables and built-in wardrobes, and a fireplace. In every bathroom there is a 115 / 240v shaving socket, overhead showers and bathtubs, flush toilets, washbasin. Also each bathroom has shampoo, body lotion, bath and shower gel, bathrobes, freshly laundered towels, hot and cold running water, water flasks and drinking water.

SUPERIOR GUEST ROOMS
Each superior guest room is furnished with rugs, bedside lamps, dressing tables and built-in wardrobes, and a fireplace. In every bathroom there is a 115 / 240v shaving socket, overhead showers and bathtubs, flush toilets, washbasin. Also each bathroom has shampoo, body lotion, bath and shower gel, bathrobes, freshly laundered towels, hot and cold running water, water flasks and drinking water. Tea and coffee making facilities, and a kettle, are available in all superior guest rooms.

Dining

Dining is serious business at Mount Kenya Safari Club. Dress is strictly smart casual, and ladies are asked not to wear mini-skirts, and gentlemen are asked not to wear jeans, T-Shirts or sports gear. Long trousers are mandatory. Please note that children under 7 years of age are served a special early supper, and are not allowed in the public areas after 1830 hours. A room service menu is available, together with a choice of liqueurs, soft drinks, cocktails, wines, spirits, tea and coffee. Room service is available 24 hours.

CLUB RESTAURANT
Overlooking a courtyard, the Club Restaurant serves a buffet breakfast, buffet lunch and 9-course dinner to guests. Each day of the week, except Monday, our Kirinyaga Resident Band entertains guests throughout dinner and afterwards provides dance music. The menu is a cosmopolitan combination of European, African and Asian dishes, made from the abundance of fresh Kenyan produce. A full vegetarian menu is available for all the meals. Seating capacity is 180 people. The restaurant is open for breakfast from 0700 - 1000 hours, lunch from 1230 - 1430 hours and dinner from 1930 - 2130 hours.

MEMBERS' DINING ROOM
Elegantly placed sepia photographs of Kenya's history cover the walls. Open for dinner only, Club Members enjoy a superb dinner in delightful surroundings. Non-members can now enjoy dinner in the Members Dining Room at a supplementary charge. Dress is smart casual. The menu is a Gourmet 9-course a la Carte, with a choice of 6 starters, 6 main courses and desserts. Seating capacity is 70 people. The Members Dining Room is open from 1930 - 2130 hours.

MOUNTAIN VIEW BAR & LOUNGE
This pleasant bar/lounge with huge windows overlooking the gardens, and the mountain beyond, is open throughout the day and well into the night. Liqueurs, beers, soft drinks, cocktails, wines, spirits, tea and coffee, and bar bitings are all served here. Seating capacity is 50 to 60 seated and standing. The Mountain View Bar and Lounge is open from 0900 - 2100 hours, possibly longer at guests' request.

TROPHY LOUNGE
This large club-like lounge, with a huge central fireplace, weathered Chesterfield sofas, an assortment of Africana, antique Arab chests and a splendid array of game trophies, has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere ideal for cocktail parties. The adjoining terrace has a fixed telescope placed on a stand to enable guests a closer view of the mountain and its beautiful scenery. Cocktails from the Mountain View Bar and Lounge are served here. Afternoon tea and cakes are also served here. Liqueurs, soft drinks, cocktails, wines, spirits, tea and coffee, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, and light snacks. Seating capacity is 150 persons for a cocktail party / 60 seated. The Trophy lounge is open from 0900 - 2100 hours. Afternoon tea and cakes are served from 1600-1800 hours.

GARDEN LOUNGE
Decorated in a floral theme, with comfortable chairs, the Garden Lounge is the children's dining room, with a video screening section. Soft drinks and a children's menu are served here. Seating capacity is 80 children. The Garden Lounge is open from 1830 to 1930 hours.

IRISH PUB / GOLF CLUBHOUSE BAR
The Golf Club House is located off the golf course's first tee. The decor is pub-like, with trophies and memberships displayed, and has a multitude of bar games available including darts, pool and board games, as well as a satellite television. Liqueurs, soft drinks, cocktails, wines, spirits, tea and coffee are served here. Seating capacity is 40 to 50 people standing and seated. The Irish Pub / Golf Clubhouse is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 1000 to 1800 hours.

SWIMMING POOL BAR

Set just off the swimming pool, the bar consists of a raised platform "verandah" with bar stools around the semi-circled high table. On the days the Bar is closed, waiters serve drinks from the Mountain View Bar and Lounge to guests around the pool area. Liqueurs, soft drinks, cocktails, tea and coffee are served. Seating capacity is unlimited. The swimming pool bar is open only on weekends and public holidays, and operates from 0800 to 1800 hours.

Things to do

ENTERTAINMENT
The Chukka dancers entertain guests each evening at 1915 hours, on the lawns in front of the Mountain View Bar and Lounge. They can also be hired to perform at special occasions. he Kirinyaga Band performs in the Club Restaurant in the evenings (with the exception of Mondays). A string quartet can be hired. A pianist enthrals guests in the Mountain View Bar and Lounge in the evenings, and can be asked to play at special events. Celebrations: Anniversaries, birthdays, weddings and other parties can be celebrated in style with a festive ambience created by the melding of an appropriate decor and menu. Cakes can be presented with a grand (Chukka) entrance upon prior arrangement.

Fruit, Flowers, and Cakes are available on request.

THEME EVENTS
Bush Banquet on the River Likii.

Riverside Cocktails
Riverside Luncheon
Champagne breakfast on the slopes of Mount Kenya
Bush Luncheon in the Sweetwaters Game Reserve
Cocktail parties in the Rose Garden
Barbeque at the Golf Clubhouse Irish Bar
Equator-crossing ceremony with certificate presented by Chukka Chief
9-HOLE GOLF COURSE
Our nine-hole golf course is a little gem. With fairways, greens and tees strategically situated between miniature dams and mountain streams, and flanking Mt. Kenya's dense rainforest, a modicum of skill is required to finish with the same number of balls as you started with! It's a challenge and it's tremendous fun. The Golf Club has a bar and men's and ladies' changing rooms. Residents of the Club do not pay green fees and golf clubs are available for hire. Balls can be purchased. And, for a minimal fee, there are plenty of willing caddies.

ANIMAL ORPHANAGE
The animal orphanage managed by the neighbouring ranch and the William Holden Foundation can be visited from a special entrance in the Club grounds. Open from 0830-1230 hours and 1330-1730 hours. Children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available at the Cashiers.

BOWLING GREEN
There is no charge for Club guests to use the bowling green. Balls are available, free of charge, at reception.

BIRD WALKS
The Club's extensive grounds are alive with an enormous variety of bird life. Guests can enjoy 2-hour guided bird walks with the resident ornithologist. Departures are at 0800,1000,1400 and1600 hours.

CROQUET
The croquet field is of an international size, and has 6 hoops. Mallets and balls are available at reception, free of charge.

HEATED SWIMMING POOL
We have a large outdoor heated swimming pool, manned by a pool attendant from 0700 to 1800 hours. There are separate changing rooms with showers for both men and ladies. All children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The surrounds of the pool are an ideal venue for cocktail parties for 15 to 500 persons.

HORSE RIDING
With a choice of 7 thoroughbreds, guests can ride at any time, using English saddles, always in the company of one or more of our grooms. We have a good range of hard hats, which we insist that riders wear. Children under 12 years are not permitted to ride. A charge is made to guests for riding.

PUTTING GREEN
There is no charge for Club guests to use the putting green. Putters are available for hire at reception. Balls can be purchased.

ROSE GARDENS
Pay a visit to the Club's beautiful rose gardens, which can be used as a venue for cocktail parties or receptions.

TABLE TENNIS
Two tables are situated beneath the swimming pool. Bats can be hired from Reception. Balls can be purchased.

TENNIS COURTS
The Club has one paved tennis court. No charge is made to Club guests. Tennis racquets are available for hire. Balls can be purchased.

TROUT FISHING
Lake Karen is situated by the 4th golf green and is stocked with over 2,000 trout. Fishing equipment is available for hire. Children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult. Guests are billed per 2 hours. Hours: 0700-1800 hours.

VIDEO ROOM
Children's tapes are screened regularly in our Video Room.

More things to do

FISHING SAFARIS (HALF DAY)
Mount Kenya is the source of many freshwater rivers that cascade from its rugged slopes. Along these courses, trout fishing is available to fishermen. In rivers Naromoru, Sirimon, Likii, Nanyuki and Thego, Royal Coachman flies are cast to lure the agile and swift Brown or Rainbow trout. Safari-man Peter De Mello will only be too pleased to teach you your first casting lesson. Rods/flies are provided and licenses arranged.

WORLD CLASS FISHING LAKE ALICE (1 DAY AND NIGHT)
Lake Alice is located at 15,000 ft on Mt. Kenya. A private charter flies guests to the lodge here, and fishing enthusiasts can enjoy a full day of fishing in this stupendous backdrop. Equipment is provided, as are fishing licenses.