The Safari Collection Review
Kenya

Quick Facts

Class:

Location:

Transfer Type:
Transfer Duration:

Property Size:

Total no. rooms:

Highlights:

★★★★★

Nairobi, Kenya

Car
40-50 min from NBO airport

Small

12

• Iconic hotel
• Great service

• Fantastic conservation initiatives
• Stunning historic architecture

Reviewed by Florian

Introduction

Before diving into the core of this review of The Safari Collection, let’s give you a quick introduction about this company.

The Safari Collection is one of Kenya’s most prestigious luxury safari groups, managing a collection of ultra-exclusive properties, each offering a very distinct atmosphere and landscape. The portfolio includes Solio Lodge, Sasaab, Sala’s Camp, and the world-famous Giraffe Manor in Nairobi. All are very different and incredibly memorable.

What makes The Safari Collection so special is its ability to provide four totally unique experiences within one seamless itinerary. From rhino spotting in Solio to feeding giraffes at Giraffe Manor, it’s an adventure that captures the very best of Kenya.

If you plan on going on a safari in Kenya with The Safari Collection, make sure to contact us as we’ll be able to get you exclusive rates with up to 15% OFF.

Our Itinerary with The Safari Collection

In order to give you the most comprehensive review of The Safari Collection, we had to try all of their properties and here’s an overview of our perfect Safari Collection itinerary, ideal for anyone planning a first-time luxury safari in Kenya.

We started with a short night at Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport, since we arrived late in the evening and wanted to rest before heading to the bush.

Our first true safari stop was Solio Lodge, located in the Solio Game Reserve, the best place in the world to see rhinos.

We then moved north to Sasaab, a magnificent luxury tented camp where elephants roam freely along the river.

Our third stop was the beautiful Sala’s Camp in the Maasai Mara, a magical setting for Big Five sightings and one of the most romantic camps we’ve ever visited.

Finally, we ended our journey at Giraffe Manor, the legendary boutique hotel where giraffes literally join you for breakfast. This was by far the most surreal way to end a Kenyan adventure.

This four-stop itinerary is genuinely perfect for anyone doing a first safari and you’ll understand why by reading our review of The Safari Collection. Each destination offers something completely different, ensuring a sense of discovery and excitement every single day.

The Different Lodges, Camps and Hotels

Let’s continue this review of The Safari Collection with a bit more detailed feedbacks on each of the lodges, camps and hotels we stayed at.

Solio Lodge

Solio Lodge is truly special. It’s the only lodge in a private 45,000-acre reserve, home to over 250 rhinos, the highest concentration anywhere in the world.

With only five rooms, it feels intimate, personal, and incredibly peaceful. The design blends understated elegance with a warm safari aesthetic. Each suite is spacious, featuring fireplaces, private terraces, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the plains. Some rooms (1 and 2) can frequently have rhinos right in front of your windows which feels truly special.

The drives were extraordinary! We saw more rhinos here than we ever imagined possible. Lions, giraffes, zebras, monkeys and antelopes are also plentiful, making every drive a photographer’s dream.

Sasaab Camp

Next in this review of The Safari Collection comes Sasaab, a property that took our breath away the moment we arrived.

Perched above the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu reserve, Sasaab is a striking combination of Moroccan design and Kenyan wilderness.

Each tent is immense, featuring its own private plunge pool and open-air bathrooms. The views are simply mesmerizing: vast desert landscapes punctuated by palm trees and the distant silhouette of Mount Kenya.

It’s also one of the few safari camps in Africa to have a spa and a gym, a real luxury in the bush. Watching elephants bathe in the river while lounging in your private pool is an unforgettable experience.

Sala’s Camp

Located deep in the Maasai Mara in a super secluded area, Sala’s Camp is the definition of authentic luxury safari. With only seven tents, each featuring a private pool, the atmosphere is exclusive yet incredibly warm.

You would never guess you’re staying in a tent. The interiors are beautifully appointed, with fine linens, wooden floors, and en-suite bathrooms.

The camp’s main area is equally impressive, centered around what the owners call the world’s largest natural dining table, crafted from a fallen tree. Game drives here were phenomenal: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, we saw them all.

Giraffe Manor

No The Safari Collection review would be complete without mentioning Giraffe Manor. This place needs no introduction. It’s one of the most Instagrammable hotels in the world, and it lives up to the hype.

Waking up to giraffes poking their heads through your window is pure magic. Breakfast is an unforgettable experience, with giraffes walking gracefully between tables, accepting treats from your hands.

The rooms are charming and full of character, perfectly matching the 1930s colonial architecture.

We also spent some time at The Retreat at Giraffe Manor, perfect for a day stay before a late flight. With its large pool, spa, gym, and restaurant, it’s the perfect way to unwind before heading home.

The Overall Experience with an Itinerary with The Safari Collection

When doing a safari, it’s not just about the lodges. It’s about the journey as a whole. And The Safari Collection delivers an experience that feels perfectly balanced, exciting, and seamless from start to finish.

Each destination offered a completely different environment from lush greenery at Solio to dry desert landscapes at Sasaab and the golden savannah of the Mara at Sala’s Camp. It never felt repetitive.

The game drives were extraordinary, particularly as it was surprisingly quiet, given that each lodges are located in super secluded parts of the reserves.

The bush breakfasts were without a doubt a highlight. Imagine having your eggs cooked in the middle of the savannah while giraffes, rhinos and zebras graze nearby. And the sundowners, those golden moments at sunset with a gin & tonic or aperol spritz in hand were simply unforgettable.

And of course, ending the journey with Giraffe Manor felt like the perfect finale, combining the elegance of Nairobi with one of the world’s most unique wildlife encounters.

The Service: Really Excellent!

As always in our reviews, we have to talk about the service as it’s something extremely important for us.

Service is one of the strongest points of The Safari Collection. From start to finish, it was flawless.

From the moment we landed, a team member was already waiting for us at the airport, handling everything with efficiency and a smile. At each lodge, we were greeted like family and they remembered all our habits and preferences. Also, no need to give your passport at check-in everytime. It is done once at the first lodge, and you’re done!

The staff, a mix of local Kenyans and experienced hospitality professionals from across Africa, were consistently warm, caring, and professional.

Housekeeping was discreet and impeccable. The guides were exceptional: deeply knowledgeable, passionate, and full of fascinating stories about the wildlife and local culture.

Everything was arranged perfectly from start to finish, all the transfers (we had 4 small flights on our itinerary) were super smooth and without any unexpected surprises.

We can confidently say: the service of The Safari Collection’s team deserves a 10/10.

The Food & Beverages: Very Good but Not Perfect

All properties under The Safari Collection operate on an all-inclusive basis, meaning all meals and drinks are included.

Most meals were excellent, beautifully presented, fresh, and full of flavour. The dinners in particular stood out: from grilled meats to homemade desserts, the quality was consistently high.

The only small weakness was at breakfast, where dishes like eggs benedict or avocado toast sometimes looked better on the menu than on the plate. Not bad, but just not as exceptional as everything else.

The bush breakfasts, on the other hand, were unforgettable with fresh coffee, eggs cooked on the spot, and the most scenic views imaginable.

The drinks were top-shelf, with Grey Goose vodka and premium local gins available, making every sundowner as perfect as they can be.

The Value for Money

Yes, The Safari Collection properties are expensive. But luxury safaris in Africa simply are.

Each camp is small, exclusive, and located in remote areas, which makes logistics complex and costly. But you get what you pay for: intimacy, service, and access to some of the best wildlife viewing in the world.

Considering the quality of the experience, we’d say the value for money is excellent. The lodges are fairly priced for their category, and you can benefit from special offers and up to 20% discounts when booking through us. We always guarantee you the best rates, so feel free to contact us.

In other words, it’s not cheap but it’s absolutely worth it.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Perfect itinerary for first-time safaris

• All lodges unique and complementary

• Spectacular wildlife sightings (Big Five almost guaranteed)

• Exceptional service throughout

• Giraffe Manor: a once-in-a-lifetime experience

• High-end, intimate properties with great attention to detail

Cons

• Breakfast could be improved at some lodges

• Overall cost is high (but justified by exclusivity)

Conclusion: YES, we do recommend The Safari Collection

Our review of The Safari Collection can be summed up in one word: outstanding.

From Solio’s rhinos to Sasaab’s desert elephants, Sala’s big cats, and Giraffe Manor’s breakfast companions, every moment was memorable. The service was flawless, the properties stunning, and the itinerary perfectly designed.

For anyone dreaming of their first luxury safari in Kenya, The Safari Collection is, without question, the best possible itinerary. It’s an adventure that combines comfort, authenticity, and unforgettable wildlife encounters all wrapped in world-class service and understated elegance.

We cannot recommend it enough.

Contact us for more information or to book with up to 15% discount.

The Safari Collection Tour