Millionaire’s Mecca

Sheetal Wadhwa Munshaw unveils the legend of the Mount Kenya Safari Club, which nestles under the silhouette of one of Africa’s most beguiling mountains ...

Aerial Panorama of Mount Kenya Safari Club

It is best stated in the words of actress Stefanie Powers, ‘Some things are better experienced than described’ and nothing depicts better the glory and grandeur of one of the most celebrated retreats in the world - Mount Kenya Safari Club. Perched high up the slopes of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second highest snow capped mountain, now a world heritage site, the Club straddles the equator and stands majestically over its 125 acres of manicured lawns and ornamental ponds.

In 1959, film star William Holden, eccentric American Ray Ryan, and Swiss financier Carl Hirschmann, on a whim, bought a homestead created by two lovers Percy Smith and Myra Wheeler and literally transformed it to an upcountry hotel. Since then the club has veritably metamorphosed into a living legend. It is now a part of Kenyan history and is almost synonymous with the country.

Interiors of Suites in the Club

Rhinos at the Mount Kenya Game Ranch

Chuka dancers and drummers regularly enterain guests and members

Female Elephant and calf at one of the Game Ranch water holes

International upper crust divas and the who’s who of celebrities, royalty and aristocracy patronise the place. Its esteemed list of visitors includes former United States President Lyndon Johnson, Charlie Chaplin, Richard Attenborough, David Niven, Bob Hope, John Mills and Sean Connery.

The property exudes an old world charm that is reflected in its architecture, style and character. The decor is a melange of rustic Africa and the English adroitness, vividly represented by the luxurious cottages and elegant buildings that are set amid landscaped pools and gardens. Relics of Kenya’s settler past are carefully preserved in the club grounds. The luxury cottages even have Roman baths and Swiss-style saunas. Inviting fireplaces are characteristic of all cottages further enhancing the warm ambience. Picturesque cottages are perched in convenient proximity and yet secluded enough for indulgent moments of privacy. Tennis courts, heated decorated pools, and putting green are among the popular distractions. The putting green of course is challenging for all golf enthusiasts with its inclucion of pretty peacocks and exotic birds serving as impediments.

Everything at the Safari Club is about opulence and fine living. Black tie dinners in The Kenyan bush are the ultimate in alfresco elegance. Dinners are truly an elegant affair at The Mount Kenya Safari Club. Children are not permitted to dine with adults and are served supper earlier to ensure that the refined ambience is maintained. We were asked to dress in smart casuals barring jeans, mini skirts and sports wear. In fact black tie fine dining has only very recently given way to smart casual attire. The dining rooms are reminiscent of a truly bygone era. As we entered we found beautiful paintings embellishing the walls, further ahead were crisp linen tables adorned by meticulously laid out cutlery. The butlers then took us through a plated service as the Kirinyaga band built up the mood. We had a choice of delectable cuisine accompanied by fine wines to complement it. Our grand dinner comprised sumptuous game consomme with diced impala, medallions of pork loin topped with fresh herbs among other delicacies. Not to mention the orange and cointreau sorbets that are an integral part of formal dining. Up ahead was a live pasta station with chefs tossing our choice of pasta as well as a lavish spread of salads and for the grand finale there was the chocolate mousse gateau with a coffee bean sauce. For those of us who wanted to stay on and soak in the rhythm of the band there was a choice of fine teas and aromatic coffees to keep us company. After having stirred up some melodious notes the band eventually graduated to a thumping note until we broke into a spontaneous dance moving to popular African beats.

Dinners are usually served at The Mawingo which is the members’ dining room and The Kirinyaga. There are also two eloquent bars - the Mountain View Bar and Lounge where a troupe of magnificent Chukka dancers entertain guests every evening up ahead on the lawns. The throbbing of drums and voices of local tribesmen resonate as the dancers perform their ageless ritual dances. The other bar -The Trophy Lounge has a very relaxed and friendly ambience and is ideal for a leisurely cocktail or a night cap.

Although The Mount Kenya Safari Club is usually the retreat destination post- safari to just lounge and relax, for the compulsive safari enthusiasts the Club also maintains its own privately owned game park spread over 25,000 acres of stupendous game density. Excursions and walking safaris accompanied by armed guards and guides are arranged for resident guests. A chimp sanctuary is managed by Jane Goodall and an animal orphanage is also administered by the Club. The Club has also acquired fame as a unique bird sanctuary for indigenous and exotic birds that were flown in from all parts of the world. Among the most touching aspects apart from the glorious sunrise and melancholic sunsets, is the Club’s chapel. Set amidst its lush environs, the chapel exudes a sense of tranquillity and poise in its simplicity and silence. Marital unions of numerous celebrities have been witnessed there and the Club personnel spare no effort in painstakingly organising the perfect white wedding for their couple. The chapel is to me the most serene hideaway at the property, and the sanctity of its aura is in my mind the most treasured memory of my sojourn at The Safari Club.

Getting there
Mount Kenya Safari Club is a two -and-a-half hour drive from Nairobi. Alternatively, it is a 50 minute flight to Nanyuki airstrip and a 15 minute transfer drive to the club. Air Kenya and other important regional flights fly to Nanyuki.

For reservations contact:
St John Kelliher
General Manager
tel: Nanyuki 30000
fax: NANYUKI (0176)31316
email: mksc@form-net.com
website: www.lonrhohotels.com