Only two and a half hours from Nairobi, the lush Aberdare Highlands has always been a getaway for Kenya’s elite with Aberdare Country Club as its most esteemed escape. Built as an estate in the 1930s for a British family, the club and hotel still has that inviting feeling, like you’ve been invited to stay at some fabulous friend’s mansion for the weekend.  It of course has everything you’d want in a country club (golf course, pool, tennis court, gym, gourmet restaurant, etc.) but the 1,300 wildlife sanctuary makes you feel like you are on safari from the comfort of a chaise lounge. Peacocks perch on the porch, wart hogs graze along the paths, and zebras take naps outside the dining room…safari lodges don’t get more magical than this.

Looking out to the 300-mile long Aberdare range, the original house is now home to a a delicious restaurant and chic bar. These tables were our favorite place to take in the sunshine, admire the bougainvillaea, and have close encounters with peacocks (one actually joined us on the bench!)

Knowing how to treat their honeymooners, Aberdare welcomed us with a room filled with flowers and sprinkled with petals. The room was so cozy we spent many an evening here by the fireplace and mornings curled up with coffee on our patio.

Strolling down the lane with our Maasai guide, we arrived at the on-site wildlife sanctuary safari,which is home to 21 giraffe, 72 zebra, 16 eland, 6 elusive leopard and countless birds.  It was amazing to get so close to this many animals on foot!

To all the lovebirds (or antelope) out there, we had to share these two oryx sneaking a smooch!

After our walking safari we enjoyed an afternoon by the club’s gorgeous pool. Little did we know that we would return poolside for a surprise dinner for two that night. Thank you, Aberdare!

When we weren’t being spoiled with private dining experiences, we thoroughly enjoyed the gourmet buffet in the rustic chic dining room.  The service was fantastic so when our waiter recommended we save room for dessert and head back to our room, we didn’t question him. A “Happy Honeymoon” cake and a room strewn with balloon was just the sweetest!

The next morning we headed to see the rhinos (and so much more) at the Solio Game Reserve. This 17,500 acre park has become one of the most successfully breeding grounds in Kenya with over 200 black and white rhinos.  Here they thrive with eland, oryx, water buck, and zebra in a the most idyllic settings (just look at that forest!)

Even lions live in the Solio reserve! Since Aberdare is colder climate than most African parks, the lions in this area are said to be amongst beautiful for their long warm manes.

Aberdare Country Club is the gateway to one of the most beautiful and bountiful parks in Kenya and once you dip your toe into the 766-kilometer park it begs you to go deeper. Knowing this all too well, The ACC has a sister hotel in the depths of the Aberdares. For our adventures at the Ark, check out our next blog.

Much love from Aberdare,
Anne & Mike
HoneyTrek.com

Note: Aberdare Country Club invited us to be their guests; however, all opinions are our own.