Kenya is a wide ranging nation—regardless of what number of occasions 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 surprise we name it Magical Kenya.
Two weeks prior, I obtained an invite from Serena Resorts to go to Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp. I’d by no means stayed at this explicit camp, however the street wasn’t unfamiliar. I’d handed it earlier than on my option to Soysambu Ranch—drawn by the roar of rally automobiles and the push 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, virtually ritualistic. I’m often up by 5am, the world nonetheless hushed, town not fairly awake. I transfer slowly, intentionally—folding garments, zipping baggage, going via my psychological guidelines because the solar begins to rise. It’s my approach 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 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 completely—daylight poured in like a gentle blessing, heat and golden, draping the whole lot in quiet brilliance. The climate was good—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 option to Nairobi Serena Resort, our assembly level for the journey forward with a number of pals we’d be touring with. However first issues first—breakfast. How I like the sound of that. The welcoming employees 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, contemporary fruit preparations, and the scent of buttery pastries wafting via the air. As we gathered over steaming espresso and simple 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 Resorts—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 automobiles.
There was a little bit of visitors (the standard Nairobi Friday variety) as we left town, gliding via the roads and onto Waiyaki Method. Our first and solely cease was at The Nice Rift Valley Viewpoint. It’s all the time a sight to behold—take pictures, purchase a number of artifacts, and simply soak all of it in. That view. That crisp, contemporary 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 situated. We arrived just some minutes earlier than 1 o’clock.
As we drove via Soysambu Conservancy, the panorama shifted—turning into wilder, quieter, extra untouched. The sort 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 attractive Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp. The camp sits gently alongside the shores of Lake Elmenteita—a lesser-known flamingo haven inside the Soysambu Conservancy. It’s shut sufficient for a weekend escape, but far sufficient to really feel fully faraway from town’s hum.
That is no strange tented camp. It’s a fantastically stored, upscale safari retreat with simply 24 luxurious tents—every one mixing the attraction of canvas with the consolation of a five-star resort. You’ll be able to sense the quiet satisfaction in its design: the whole lot 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 wherever within the camp was really one in all 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 appears like dwelling, regardless of the place you’re within the nation. All I might marvel at is the Lake actually infront of us with a few Zebras simply by the shores. That is really the Magical Kenya we maintain speaking about. I took a few moments to stroll round after which went again to the foyer for examine in.
Examine in was clean, took a few jiffy. After check-in, we have been proven to our tents—and calling them “tents” virtually feels unfair. These have been elegant, spacious canvas suites with picket 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 sort of quiet luxurious right here—nothing overdone, simply considerate element, consolation, and nature seamlessly intertwined. I took time to take pics with my telephone and ship to my pals again in Nairobi who have been desperate to see this place through my pictures and Instagram. In fact, I received the largest tent, goes with out saying.
We had simply sufficient time to clean up earlier than lunch, which was arrange beneath the shade of bushes, overlooking the water. The breeze was light, the dialog straightforward. Afterwards, we had a while to relaxation, unwind, and simply take all of it in. The sort of quiet you don’t get within the metropolis wrapped itself across the camp like a gentle cloak. I retreated to my tent, took a protracted, scorching 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 mild had begun to stretch throughout the plains, casting lengthy shadows and bathing the whole lot in a gentle, amber hue—it was that magical time of day when the land glows, quiet and reverent. Our Land Cruisers rumbled gently via 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 swish giraffes shifting languidly via 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 advised us, with a quiet satisfaction, that Kenya is dwelling to over 1,100 hen species—almost a 3rd of the world’s recognized birds. Out of the blue, each flutter grew to become vital. Chicken watching isn’t only a passing curiosity right here; it ought to be a nationwide treasure.
The birdsong was fixed, like nature’s personal soundtrack. The air was cool and earthy, crammed with 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 you must do is observe. I beloved each second of this.
Right here, it appears the times unfold gently: straightforward, undisturbed recreation drives via 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 fashionable, thoughtfully curated, and deeply stress-free.
The following 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 light, and the whole lot about that morning felt like a quiet sort of magic. We lingered over contemporary 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 mild 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 using via the bush and right down to the lake.
The place else do you get this exercise within the wild proper? Guided by an professional rider, we mounted our horses and set off into the wild. There’s a quiet sort of intimacy that comes with using—no engine, no rush—simply you and the horse, inhaling sync, shifting as one via a panorama that feels each historic and alive. Off we went for an adventure- one that really makes this place one in all a form, if you happen to 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 via the shallows, clearly relaxed 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 sort of freedom you don’t quickly overlook. 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 like about this place is that they’ve so many actions to maintain you busy, if you need.
I wakened 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 a substitute 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 slicing via the darkness as we set off into the conservancy.
There’s one thing thrilling about being out within the wild at night time—the whole lot feels extra mysterious, extra alive. The air was cool, the celebrities scattered above us, and the quiet was often 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 beneath the moonlight. It was a complete new aspect 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 beneath flaming skies, recreation drives via golden grasslands, lazy swims in a heated pool, and the fun of an evening safari—each second was a reminder of how fantastically wild and restorative Kenya may be. It was a Friday to Sunday escape, but it surely supplied 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 gentle journey name to you, possibly it is best to too.
The submit From Bush Dinners to Yoga, Horseback Rides to Tented Luxury: A Weekend at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp appeared first on Capital Lifestyle.
