Luxury · Owner-run boutique lodge
The Emakoko
Built into the Mbagathi River gorge on the northern boundary of Nairobi National Park, with private park access
Overview
The Emakoko is the best-known luxury lodge on Nairobi National Park and a perennial favourite for first and last nights in Kenya. It is carved into the side of the Mbagathi River gorge, with rooms stepping down the hillside and a main deck looking over the water and the bush beyond.
Guests reach the lodge by a short boat crossing of the Mbagathi, which sets the tone immediately — you are inside the park's world rather than on its edge, despite being about 45 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Anna and Emma Ross-Skinner run the lodge personally, and the service is closer to staying in a well-run private home than a hotel. Game drives leave from the lodge's own access point, and the guiding team knows the resident rhino, lion and cheetah individually.
Because of its airport proximity and full flight-connection service, The Emakoko works exceptionally well as a bookend to a longer Kenyan safari — arrive, sleep in the park, then fly on to the Mara or the coast the next morning.
Gallery
Location
Built into the Mbagathi River gorge on the northern boundary of Nairobi National Park, with private park access. Nairobi National Park is reached in around 20 to 40 minutes from Nairobi city centre, Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), making it one of the quickest safari transfers anywhere in Kenya. See our guide to getting there.
The Emakoko is highlighted on the map, alongside nearby camps, gates and landmarks in Nairobi National Park.
Room types
- Standard room
- King or twin beds, en-suite bathroom and a private balcony over the river gorge.
- Superior room
- Larger rooms higher on the hillside with the best views across the park.
- Family room
- Interconnecting rooms with a shared terrace for two adults and two children.
- Honeymoon suite
- The most private room, set apart with an outdoor bath and long river views.
Facilities
- Swimming pool overlooking the gorge
- Private park access point
- Lounge, bar and library
- Wi-Fi throughout
- Laundry service
- Massage and treatments on request
- Airport and flight-connection service
Dining
Three-course dinners, garden lunches on the deck and early breakfasts packed for game drives. The kitchen is genuinely good, dietary requirements are handled with care, and drinks are included in most rates.
Safari activities available
- Morning and afternoon game drives in Nairobi National Park
- Full-day drives with picnic lunches
- Guided walks in the gorge
- Birdwatching along the Mbagathi
- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe Centre excursions
- Sundowners on the plains
- Airport transfers and onward flight connections
Best suited for
Couples, honeymooners and travellers wanting a seamless first or last night in Kenya without giving up a wild setting.
Rates
Published rates 2027
Rates valid 4 January 2027 – 3 January 2028
Rooms
Full board safari package
- Adult sharing
- USD 795
- Single
- USD 975
- Child sharing
- USD 485
Day Rooms
11h00 – 20h00
- Adult sharing
- USD 395
- Single
- USD 485
- Child sharing
- USD 240
Private House per night
4 guests (*5th guest must be a child 5–15 yrs). No children under 5 years. Extra child USD 485
- Adult sharing
- USD 3,465
- Single
- —
- Child sharing
- USD 485
Day House
11h00 – 20h00. Extra child USD 240
- Adult sharing
- USD 1,730
- Single
- —
- Child sharing
- USD 240
Emakoko conservation fees
Inclusive of KWS Nairobi National Park fees, valid 24 hours from time of entry — per adult per night
- Adult sharing
- USD 100
- Single
- USD 100
- Child sharing
- USD 100
- Adult sharing: USD per adult, per night
- Single: USD per single room, per night
- Child sharing: 5–15 yrs, USD per child, per night
All rates in USD per night. Special: book two consecutive nights arriving after 20h30 and get the first night at the day room rate and the second night on the safari package rate — also valid for The Private House.
Included
- Full board accommodation
- Soft drinks and local beers
- Non-premium wines and spirits
- Two airport transfers to either JKIA or Wilson Airport, included per booking
- Karen/Langata excursion included per booking
- Private vehicle for transfers
- Two game drives per day in Nairobi National Park
- Excursions to the Giraffe Centre / David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, time permitting (bookings and entrance charges arranged and settled direct)
- Statutory taxes
- Laundry
Excluded
- Extra transfers, charged at USD 150 per transfer
- Champagne, premium spirits and cellar wines
- Massage treatments
Notes
- Room and house check-in 11:00hrs, check-out 10:00hrs.
- After room check out, guests are welcome to stay at the Emakoko for the day but will depart the lodge at 16:00 for drop off at Wilson/JKIA airport or Karen/Langata based hotels. To depart after 16:00, a day room must be booked and paid for.
- Day rooms: transfer collection from 11:00hrs, latest drop off before 21:00hrs. Day room check out time 20:00hrs.
- Day room rates include lunch, dinner, non-luxury drinks, private vehicle per booking for one game drive or Karen/Langata excursion, and transfers to/from JKIA or Wilson Airport.
- No collections between 00h30 and 07:00 unless a room is booked for the previous night at the day room rate.
Rates exclude Nairobi National Park entry fees where applicable — see park fees. Send an enquiry and we will confirm exact current rates and availability.