By The UNCHARTED® editors · 3 min read
OUTPOSTS BY STYLE
What qualifies a destination as an UNCHARTED Outpost?
There’s more to it than a prime location, accommodations, and amenities.
In the early ‘90s we managed Ol Donyo Wuas (now Ol Donyo Lodge), having been hired by legendary guide and conservationist Richard Bonham to rebuild it from ashes after a fire.
It was of course the experience of a lifetime for a young couple—and it’s where we learned first-hand all the details of safari hospitality.
Ol Donyo has since evolved from a basic camp to a five-star hideaway. It’s situated in one of the most magical, unspoiled places in Kenya: Hemingway's Green Hills of Africa, with breathtaking landscapes and long views, from the rise and fall of the Chyulu to the golden plains of Kilimanjaro. There is no other lodge for almost 400 miles.
We know that hosting and guiding make all the difference, and for the last 30 years we have specialized in forging relationships with spirited leaders who create singular experiences for our guests.
As a result, we prefer to collaborate with properties that celebrate and embody ethical odysseys, and who have local (often Kenyan-born) bona fides. Therein lies the kind of luxury we prize at UNCHARTED: it is not all about amenities, furnishings and creature comforts, it is about stewardship and principled partnerships.
While our portfolio now includes Outposts all over the world, our values were forged in Kenya—the country where the original safari was born.
This is what we mean by UNCHARTED Outposts, by style.
Comfort Under Canvas
Classic under-canvas camps are the heart and soul of what we are about at UNCHARTED. These are the outposts where Hemingway would have preferred to take his coffee, where the visceral safari lifestyle comes alive in every aspect. Here, only the thin canvas of your tent separates you from the rumbles of wildlife passing through the night. Find yourself fully immersed in the earthiness of Africa for an experience unlike any other.
Tangulia Mara: Enjoy the True Safari Spirit of the Maasai Mara
Mara Expedition Camp: Tented Luxury in Kenya’s Richest Game Country
Richard’s River Camp: Safari Like Hemingway
from $1,000 per person
from $900 per person
At Home in the Bush
The safari camp of old has evolved into what, for some, is a much more approachable way to enjoy the delights of the African wild. Modern touches provide an air of elegance to our hand-picked lodges. Expect plunge pools, thatched roofs, sliding glass doors, and whimsical details. Many of these updated, historic properties were built in the 19th century and are located on private, fertile land and in areas adjacent to national parks and game reserves.
Get Deep Into the Samburu Tribe’s Heartland at Ol Malo
Experience the Heart of Safari at Lewa House
The Award-Winning Campi Ya Kanzi Defines Authentic African Safari
from $1,100 per person
from $300 per person
from $1,250 per person
In the Lap of Luxury
For us, luxury is lovely–as long as it is coupled with access to profound experiences that are (and should remain) exclusive in the interests of low-impact tourism, reaping benefits for all. And by benefits we mean cultural preservation, economic development, and wildlife conservation!
Safari in Hemingway's Green Hills of East Africa at Ol Donyo Lodge
Mara Plains Camp Offers Unparalleled Privacy for the Wildlife Safari of a Lifetime
Lengishu House: Luxe Privacy and Breathtaking Views
from $1,500 per person
from $1,200 per person
Mix and Match
From sparkling waters and sweet seclusion in the Lamu Archipelago to a beautiful boutique home nestled close to the cultural wonders of Nairobi, there are always more places to discover in Kenya beyond the bush. Alternatively, if you want to get up close and personal with elephants, we recommend a stay at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, a perfect perch to explore the northern frontier and support vital projects.
Sweet Seclusion on the Lamu Archipelago
Experience a Contemporary Nairobi at Eden
Reteti House: A Platform for Conservation
Jannah Lamu: Swahili-Chic Style Meets Lamu Archipelago Waters
from $350 per person
from $800 per person
Outposts by Style: Kenya Camps Still Lead the Way
