By Noura Khan
special to The Times Kuwait
There are destinations you visit… and others that gently claim a place in your heart.
My recent journey to Kenya was filled with extraordinary stays — luxury tents, elegant lodges, and panoramic camps — yet nothing felt as intimate, serene, or emotionally grounding as my time at Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club.
Perched at the foot of Africa’s second-highest peak and framed by the snow-capped beauty of Mount Kenya, this legendary property is more than a hotel. It is a sanctuary — a place where time slows, breaths deepen, and the stories of nature unfold with every sunrise.
Arriving at Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club felt like stepping into a beautifully preserved chapter of history and nature combined.
The estate stretches across more than 100 acres of manicured lawns, indigenous forest, and organic gardens — home to colobus monkeys, peacocks, and the elusive mountain bongo. Every pathway, every drifting breeze, carries a quiet sense of wonder.
My cottage, recently renovated, blended colonial charm with refined modern luxury. Wide windows framed sweeping natural views, and the forest’s stillness wrapped around me like a gentle embrace. This was my pause… my breath… my place of rest after days filled with safari adventures.
What sets this property apart is not just its beauty, but its purpose.
The hotel sits beside the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, one of the region’s most impactful conservation efforts.
Here, endangered species are rescued, rehabilitated, and protected — especially the critically endangered Mountain Bongo. Seeing the dedication behind this mission reminded me that meaningful travel is not only about what we experience, but also about what we help preserve.
It is rare to find a destination that balances luxury with legacy so naturally.
Every meal at Fairmont Mount Kenya felt like a curated memory.
One of the most magical moments of my stay was the sundowner experience at Kimani Bongo — an open clearing framed by golden light as the sun dipped behind Mount Kenya’s snowy peak.
The chef-prepared firelit dinner, combined with the serenity of the forest, created a scene so cinematic it felt crafted just for the soul.
Equally unforgettable was the Bongo Breakfast…
A morning wrapped in mist, surrounded by rare wildlife, where the calm of the forest felt almost sacred. Few experiences compare to dining at the heart of a protected sanctuary
From bike rides through shaded forest trails to horseback safaris across sunlit glades, to peaceful yoga sessions beneath a pergola overlooking Mount Kenya — each moment encourages renewal, mindfulness, and inner calm.
It is the kind of place where even the simplest activities feel restorative.
Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club carries a rich cinematic legacy.
Once the home of Hollywood actor William Holden, it has welcomed film icons and global figures for decades. Blending old-world glamour with contemporary elegance, the property stands as a landmark for travelers who appreciate destinations with a soul — places that remember.
Throughout my stay, one thing never changed: Fairmont’s ability to make every experience feel personal.
From heartfelt welcomes to thoughtful touches in my cottage, the hospitality here goes beyond service — it transforms moments into lasting memories.
Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club isn’t just a hotel…It is a feeling. A canvas where nature, heritage, and quiet luxury converge.
For me, it became the hidden heart of my Kenyan journey — the place where adventure met serenity, and where luxury found its purest form in the embrace of nature.
Noura Khan, a travel influencer and content creator, is a Kuwaiti national, holds a degree in law from Kuwait University and has worked as a journalist prior to taking up a position in the government. In 2018 she started blogging on travel and visited more than 57 countries since. She has more than 105k followers on her blog post @nourajtraveller is well appreciated for content and travel information. Noura writes exclusively for The Times Kuwait on her travel visits.
