When we first started The Emakoko, “luxury” was a word reserved for a very select club of safari properties. The sort that made you sit up a little straighter just saying their names.
Fast forward to today, and there are so many “luxury” options, each with their own version of it, and wildly different price tags – that the word itself feels a little… crowded.
Which got me thinking: what actually is luxury?
Technically, it’s comfort, elegance, indulgence—everything beyond necessity. But in reality? I think it’s entirely personal. For me, as a mother of three (plus a rotating cast of animals who seem to think they own the place), and co-running a lodge that rarely sleeps, luxury is quite simple: not having to do anything.
Absolute peak luxury? A full night’s sleep… preferably without sharing a room with someone who snores like a slightly congested walrus. But jokes aside, it does make me wonder—what truly defines a luxury lodge? What matters? What’s essential? And what would I actually pay for? I came across two quotes that rather nailed it:
“Luxury is attention to detail, originality, exclusivity and above all quality.” Angelo Bonati
“Perfection is achieved… when there is nothing left to take away.” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Now, we do refer to The Emakoko as a luxury lodge, but let’s be honest, we’re not that kind of luxury.
There’s no cappuccino machine in your safari vehicle.
No white doves gently fluttering through your room (sorry, Mariah).
And sadly, J-Lo, we won’t be repainting your suite for a one-night stay.
But luxury means different things to different people.
In the community around us, clean drinking water is a luxury beyond imagination. Having it on tap? Extraordinary. For many children, school means the luxury of a proper meal at lunchtime.
So yes—perspective matters.
If I strip it all back, my version of luxury is actually quite straightforward.
Number one is Food and Drink – No matter what life throws at you, a really good meal and an ice-cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc can fix almost anything.
At The Emakoko, we take this seriously. Possibly more seriously than my two most frequent “taste testers,” Anthony and Rihaz, who would happily declare a Big Mac a culinary triumph. Thankfully, our returning guests have slightly higher standards and keep us on our toes. We’re also very excited to have our wonderful chef Stefan back from South Africa soon, brace yourselves for some dangerously good new dishes.
Second is people. Great service isn’t about formality, it’s about warmth, instinct, and genuine care. Our team has been with us for years, and they are, without question, the heart of this place. Many of our guests return because of them and I completely understand why.
Third is water. Hot and cold running water is, in my mind, one of life’s great luxuries. Especially in a landscape where it is so precious. Whether you’re in Nairobi or deep in Tsavo, it’s something you never take for granted.
Fourth a really good bed! This one needs no explanation. Although I will add – pillows matter. Ideally three. Anthony has long accepted that at least one of his will be sacrificed for domestic harmony. Happy wife = happy life.
But if I’m honest, the greatest luxury of all, especially on safari, is space.
Real space.
The kind where you don’t see another vehicle.
The kind where it feels like the world has quietly stepped aside and left you alone with it.
That sense of exclusivity, of being somewhere untouched, is incredibly rare. And yes, it comes at a cost. Low impact, high protection, conservation – it all adds up.
But for me, that’s where true luxury lies. Not in things, but in absence.
No crowds. No noise. Just wilderness.
So where does that leave The Emakoko? We sit on the edge of Nairobi, so no, we can’t promise total isolation. But we can offer something else: intimacy. A small lodge, away from the chaos, where you still feel like you’ve escaped. And perhaps most importantly, a place where your stay contributes to something bigger – supporting the park, the wildlife, and the community around us.
Which brings me to what we’re most excited about. Our Tsavo project is slowly, steadily becoming real.
A small, beautifully designed lodge on the edge of Tsavo East National Park, one of the last truly wild places left. This, to me, is luxury in its purest form.
Big skies.
Endless space.
No one else around.
Add to that thoughtful architecture, incredible interiors, great food, proper beds (obviously), and views that stop you mid-sentence and we might just have something very special.
Anthony and our head chef Steve are currently out there on the land, starting to shape what this could become. There’s huge excitement within the team too, especially for those who come from that area. It feels personal.
Meanwhile, back at The Emakoko the rains have returned (as they do), which means our usual routine of moving vehicles up and down the hill to stay ahead of the Mbagathi River’s moods. It’s chaotic and scary at times, but it’s also one of my favorite times of year. The grass comes alive, everything turns impossibly green, and the predators start using the roads to stay dry, making for some of the best sightings we see all year.
High season is just around the corner, and it’s already a joy to see so many familiar names back on the bookings board.
We can’t wait to welcome you all home again.
