We’re excited to feature Mark Keith Muhumuza as today’s guest writer.
Mark is a Uganda-based freelance journalist and blogger. His beat includes travel, business, lifestyle and environmental issues in East Africa. We first met Mark this summer when he reported on the terrorist attacks in Kampala. His constant Twitter updates provided much-needed news to readers around the world.
We love Mark’s poetic style and his musings on music, journalism and culture. Check out his blog at mumakeith.blogspot.com and follow him on Twitter at @mumakeith.
***
Safari Park Hotel and Casino is an African paradise
Stretching my arms I lazily crawl out of bed on a Sunday morning, get on my gown and walk to the balcony of my hotel room to enjoy the warm sunlight that sips through the trees in the African paradise.
About two weeks ago I flew from my country Uganda, which is a neighbour to Kenya to cover a story on Tusker Project Fame, our own reality show in the East African Region.
I was booked into the Safari Park Hotel and Casino and I fell in love with it.
Familiar touches
The Safari Park Hotel and Casino is rated as a five star hotel, but on the outside it looks like a lodge somewhere in the middle of the African Savannah.
On about 60 acres of land, the hotel is a 30 minute drive from the Kenyan Capital, Nairobi and one hour from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
African sculpture, wooden carvings, lavish paintings and the breath of the African fresh air provided a feeling that I was close to home.
Dining
The Safari Park Hotel and Casino has five restaurants that serve internationally recognised food including Chinese, Japanese, European and African cuisines.
The choice is up to the customer. Café Kigwa has an international menu; The Nyama Choma Ranch offers barbeque meat in the evenings with a fine touch of entertainment from bands and the Safari Cat dancers. Italian food lovers are catered for at the La Piazzetta. Winners Pavillion is the Chinese restaurant and The Choyo serves Japanese cuisine.
Accommodation
The rooms have wooden floors with a raised bed, a TV that one can flick to enjoy various channels, a mini bar, and a balcony with traditional chairs with wooden rails. There is so much fresh air that air conditioning was not even installed.
I walked around the hotel and the scenery is beautiful. I discovered well paved gardens, umbrella-like trees, a fish pond, the sipping sound of an artificial stream that moves around the hotel and a man-made waterfall that has water gliding down the rocks into a swimming pool.
Nightlife
Entertainment is always available in the evenings at the bar and various other places, including a nightclub. If one loves to gamble there is a casino with card games. A guest can be treated to soda, juice, wine, whiskey and beer that help wind down the evening.
The Hemingway Bar and Lounge is located just above the hotel lobby and hosts cocktail evenings. It offers a perfect view of the setting Nairobi sun and the scenery of the hotel from the raised level.
The Paradise Lobby Café is the ideal place for a quick chitchat with friends while listening to birds humming and the flowing of an artificial stream. A guest can enjoy juice, Kenyan brewed coffee and various pastries.
African paradise
The vast beauty around this hotel makes it unique in setting, as the guest gets to enjoy the natural African beauty, art and creativity. It’s no wonder it is referred to as the African paradise.
Hotel details
Safari Park Hotel and Casino
P.O. Box 45038 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: +254 (0)20 3633000
Email: reservations@safariparkhotel.co.ke
Website: www.safaripark-hotel.com
Photo gallery
Click on the thumbnails below for more photos of the Safari Park Hotel and Casino.
This sounds lovely! What did you do in Kenya while staying here? I’ve always wanted to travel there.
Looks like my dream place! Luxurious yet so close to nature.. what more can one ask for! Great guestpost Mark! It looks great on Leslie’s website:D
Ever since I saw Out of Africa I have wanted to go to the Masai Mara. Now I know where I will be staying. Thanks for sharing that, Mark (and Leslie).
@cora I did not have time to go around Kenya but that country is blessed with so many attractions. At the Safari Park, there is a desk that specifically handles the travel destinations like the Bird Sanctuary in Nakuru, Mt Kenya (mountain climbing) and the famous Tsavo. You should visit Kenya. It would be great fun.
@Ciki Thanks. It is very beautiful
@santafetravelers I would highly recommend you stay at the Safari Park. Thanks.
I have walked around Safari Park Hotel a few times but never stayed there before. It’s almost an entire small city, catering to everything you need to do without leaving the grounds. Even though there is a raging highway just outside, Safari Park is quiet with fresh air! Great review!
Thanks! Great to hear your experience with the hotel.
Looks like a beautiful place to stay. Loved the photos.
Wow close to nature and big enough to enjoy. Nice!
Tthanks for the wonderful story of your stay at the Safari Park Hotel. We look forward to hosting you again…and ..again at the African Paradise!
It looks beautiful in Mark’s photos. I’d love to visit one day!
Your are Welcome Mercy. I gladly enjoyed my stay. Great people you have their too.