Best Lodges in Nairobi National Park
Nairobi is the only capital city in the world with a national park on its doorstep, and a few hotels have made the most of it. A handful of lodges sit on the park’s boundary, where rhinos, giraffes and zebras graze within sight of the verandah while the city skyline stands on the horizon. Others lie in the leafy suburbs of Karen and Langata, a few minutes from the gate, and offer giraffes at breakfast, elephants at an orphanage and a calm retreat from the traffic. For travellers with a layover, a night before or after a safari or a short stay, a good Nairobi lodge is a real safari experience in its own right, not just a bed near the airport.
Lodges Near Nairobi National Park at a Glance
One 2026 guide notes that most safari travellers spend a single night in Nairobi and budget about US$70 to US$150 for a lodge, while the boundary safari lodges start around US$200 to US$300 and Giraffe Manor goes past US$1,200.
| Level | Typical Rate Per Night | Examples Named in 2026 Guides |
| Budget | About US$60 to US$150 | Masai Lodge, Acacia Tree Lodge, Nairobi Tented Camp and guesthouses in Karen |
| Mid-range | About US$120 to US$300 | Tamarind Tree Hotel, Karen Gables, Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and Hemingways Eden at the lower end |
| Luxury | About US$300 to US$870 | Ololo Safari Lodge, The Emakoko, Hemingways Nairobi and House of Waine |
| Iconic | About US$965 to over US$1,400 per person | Giraffe Manor |
Boundary Lodges, Karen and Langata, and Budget Stays
A 2026 guide says the best lodges are in Karen, which is also where most Nairobi attractions sit. Our separate guide to Nairobi city attractions explains how to combine them with a stay.
| Zone | Character | Lodges |
| On the park boundary | A safari feel without leaving the city, with wildlife visible from the lodge | Ololo Safari Lodge and The Emakoko |
| Karen and Langata | Leafy suburbs with attractions nearby, including the Giraffe Centre and the elephant orphanage | Giraffe Manor, Hemingways Nairobi, Hemingways Eden, Tamarind Tree, Karen Gables and Acacia Tree Lodge |
| Budget, near the park gate | Simple stays with a bush atmosphere | Masai Lodge in Ongata Rongai and Nairobi Tented Camp in a forested Karen setting |
The Lodges Compared
The pattern is that the two boundary lodges give the strongest wildlife feel, Giraffe Manor is a destination in itself and the Karen and Langata hotels offer comfort and convenience. Other names include Swara Acacia Lodge, The Residences at Karen, Royale Hotel Karen and Safari Park Hotel.
| Lodge | Position | Style and Level | Reported Rate Per Night |
| The Emakoko | Hidden valley on the park’s southern boundary | Boutique luxury lodge; rated about 4.8 | About US$750 to US$870 per person in guides |
| Ololo Safari Lodge and Farm | On the park boundary, with a private footbridge to the park | Former farmhouse, family-run, with a working farm; rated about 4.6 | About US$250 to US$500 |
| Giraffe Manor | Langata, in 140 acres of forest | Ten rooms; Rothschild’s giraffes visit at meals; full board with house drinks | About US$965 to US$1,413 per person |
| Hemingways Nairobi | Karen, on Mbagathi Ridge | Five-star hotel with a Michelin-trained chef and Ngong Hills views | About US$230 to US$385 |
| Hemingways Eden | Langata | Boutique hotel, formerly OneFortyEight | About US$320 to US$390 per person |
| Tamarind Tree Hotel | Lang’ata Road, near the park entrance and Wilson Airport | Reliable all-round stopover | From about US$120 per person |
| Karen Gables | Langata | Seven-room Cape Dutch-style guesthouse with access to the elephant orphanage | About US$178 |
| House of Waine | Karen | Luxury boutique with antiques | About US$300 to US$500 |
| Karen Blixen Coffee Garden | Karen | Cottages with a pool in historic grounds | About US$150 |
| Nairobi Tented Camp | Karen forest, relocated outside the park | Tented camp; park and camping fees extra in an older note | About US$103 to US$120 |
| Acacia Tree Lodge and Masai Lodge | Karen and Ongata Rongai | Boutique and budget options | About US$60 to US$70 |
The Emakoko and Ololo Safari Lodge
The Emakoko is a boutique lodge in a hidden valley on the park’s southern boundary, rated about 4.8, and the Kenya Wildlife Service names it alongside Ololo as privately run accommodation bordering the park. Guides place it at the top of the Nairobi safari market, at about US$750 to US$870 per person, and describe it as hard to beat for luxury close to the airport. It offers game drives into the park and a calm, forested setting.
Ololo Safari Lodge and Farm is a former farmhouse on the park boundary, with a private footbridge that gives direct access to the park. Guests can watch rhinos from the lodge, and the farm supplies paddock-to-plate food. It is rated about 4.6, and guides quote it from about US$250 to US$500 per night, with older listings above that. It suits couples, honeymooners, photographers and safari-first travellers who want the park at their door.
Giraffe Manor and the Karen and Langata Hotels
Giraffe Manor is the best-known hotel in Nairobi, an iconic boutique property in the Langata suburb surrounded by 140 acres of indigenous forest. Its resident Rothschild’s giraffes visit at meal times and put their heads through the windows at breakfast. Rates are full board and include house drinks, laundry, entry to the Giraffe Centre and transport around the Karen and Langata area, and they run from about US$965 to US$1,413 per person per night. It books out months in advance, and it is described as waitlist-only at peak times, so plan well ahead.
Hemingways Nairobi is a five-star hotel in Karen with a Michelin-trained chef and views of the Ngong Hills, and Hemingways Eden is a boutique hotel in Langata. Tamarind Tree Hotel, on Lang’ata Road, is an outstanding stopover very near the park entrance and Wilson Airport, from about US$120 per person. Karen Gables and Karen Blixen Coffee Garden offer smaller, more characterful stays. These suit travellers who want comfort and attractions close by.
Budget Stays and Nairobi Tented Camp
Budget travellers have good options. Masai Lodge in Ongata Rongai, at about US$60, has a bush atmosphere and a pool near the park gate, Acacia Tree Lodge in Karen, at about US$70, is a boutique guesthouse that supports charity and has a quiet garden, and Nairobi Tented Camp offers tents in a forested setting at about US$103 to US$120. The camp used to be inside the park but has moved to Karen, so check its current position and fees.
Most safari travellers spend one night in Nairobi, and a guesthouse in Karen or Langata is often the best value, since it keeps you close to the attractions and the park. Our separate guide to getting around Kenya explains airport transfers.
What the Rate Includes and What the Park Charges
Boundary lodges do not always include park entry in their rate, so confirm whether a game drive into the park is included and who pays the fee.
| Item | Reported Cost |
| Nairobi National Park entry, per adult per 24 hours | About US$80 (child about US$40) in 2026 guides |
| Giraffe Centre | About US$12 to US$15 per adult, included at Giraffe Manor |
| Sheldrick elephant orphanage | About US$20 per adult in a 2026 guide, and the park fee may also apply |
| Lodge rate | Check whether meals, drinks, laundry and transport are included |
| Park fee payment | Increasingly cashless, through the Kenya Wildlife Service’s online system |
Choosing by Traveller Type
If you have only one night, choose the lodge by position. If you have two, spend one on the boundary and one in Karen or Langata.
| If You Are | Consider | Why |
| A honeymooner or photographer | Ololo Safari Lodge or The Emakoko | Wildlife visible from the lodge |
| A family wanting giraffes at breakfast | Giraffe Manor | The iconic Nairobi experience, if you can book it |
| A traveller who wants comfort and convenience | Hemingways Nairobi or Tamarind Tree | Close to attractions and Wilson Airport |
| On a moderate budget | Karen Gables or Karen Blixen Coffee Garden | Characterful smaller stays |
| On a tight budget | Masai Lodge, Acacia Tree Lodge or Nairobi Tented Camp | The lowest nightly cost |
| Short on time | A lodge near Wilson Airport and the park entrance | Less time in traffic |
Best Time to Go and When to Book
Nairobi National Park can be visited all year, and the lodges are used heavily by safari travellers before and after trips, so popular properties fill during safari seasons.
| Period | Conditions | Booking Advice |
| June to October | The main dry season and the busiest period | Book Giraffe Manor many months ahead |
| January to March | Dry and warm | Book early for the iconic lodges |
| April, May and November | Rains, with lower rates | Better availability |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a hotel inside Nairobi National Park?
No. There is no overnight accommodation inside the park, though lodges border it.
What is the best lodge near Nairobi National Park?
The Emakoko and Ololo Safari Lodge for wildlife on the doorstep, and Giraffe Manor for the iconic experience.
How much do lodges cost?
From about US$60 for budget stays to US$200 to US$500 for boundary lodges and over US$900 for Giraffe Manor and The Emakoko, though guides disagree.
How much is park entry?
About US$80 per adult and US$40 per child in 2026 guides.
How far ahead should I book Giraffe Manor?
Many months ahead, since it books out and can be waitlist-only.
