A new luxury safari destination has arrived in Kenya, offering travellers the opportunity to experience one of Africa’s leading rhino conservation areas while enjoying a slower, wellness-focused escape.
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JW Marriott has officially opened the JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp in Solio Game Reserve, a 45,000-acre private conservancy in Laikipia set between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare mountain range.
The intimate property features just 19 tented suites and aims to combine luxury accommodation with meaningful wildlife experiences, conservation education and restorative wellness.
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Solio Game Reserve is widely recognised for its pioneering rhino conservation work and is home to one of Africa’s largest populations of both black and white rhinos. Visitors may also encounter lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, zebras, waterbuck, Thomson’s gazelles and more than 300 bird species.
Game drives are offered at sunrise and in the late afternoon, while night drives provide the chance to spot elusive nocturnal wildlife, including servals, caracals and active predators. Guests can also spend evenings around the campfire overlooking the surrounding wilderness.
Nature-inspired design
Designed by LW Design, the safari camp has been created to blend into the surrounding landscape rather than dominate it. Timber-and-canvas tented suites are positioned for privacy, with views stretching across Mount Kenya, the Aberdare Mountains, nearby waterholes and the open savannah.
Each suite includes expansive outdoor decks, a private plunge pool and indoor freestanding baths designed to maximise the connection with nature.
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The interiors showcase locally crafted furniture, textiles and artwork from Kenyan artisans, creating contemporary spaces rooted in local heritage while maintaining a refined safari aesthetic.
Shared areas include a library, games room, boutique and the Map Room, where guests can plan daily adventures throughout the reserve.
Beyond the game drive
While traditional safari drives remain central to the experience, the camp offers several alternative ways to explore the conservancy.
Guests can join guided walking safaris, cycling excursions and birdwatching outings led by experienced guides. Photography enthusiasts are also catered for, with access to professional Canon camera equipment and guidance from resident wildlife photographers.
Additional experiences can be arranged, including helicopter flights, trout fishing on Mount Kenya and sunset painting sessions.
Farm-to-table dining
Dining places a strong emphasis on locally grown produce and seasonal ingredients.
The camp’s signature restaurant, Mavuno, serves menus inspired by Kenyan flavours alongside international influences, while the on-site garden supplies herbs, vegetables and fruit used throughout the kitchens.
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One of the standout culinary experiences is The Garden Table, an intimate multi-course meal served among the produce grown on the property.
Guests can also enjoy bush breakfasts, dinners beneath the stars, wine tastings, bread-making workshops and Kenyan cooking classes.
Wellness in the wilderness
Wellness is central to the camp’s philosophy.
The Spa by JW offers treatments inspired by regional healing traditions using products from Kenyan skincare brand Jani, featuring ingredients such as moringa, wild aloe, cedar and locally produced honey.
Its signature Solio Passage experience combines massage therapies, hydrotherapy and forest bathing into a half-day wellness journey.
Additional facilities include a fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool and quiet spaces designed for relaxation and reflection.
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Conservation at its core
The safari camp operates within Solio Game Reserve’s conservation framework, where low visitor numbers help minimise environmental impact while enhancing wildlife viewing.
Guests can visit the Solio Rhino Orphanage to learn about the rehabilitation of orphaned rhinos before they are returned to the conservancy. The experience provides insight into the long-term work involved in protecting one of Africa’s most threatened species.
The property also supports community initiatives through the Lazizi Welfare Foundation, including school nutrition programmes and the Solio Women’s Empowerment Project, which creates handcrafted items sold at the camp to generate income for local communities.
Sustainability measures include solar energy, rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, composting and responsible waste management. According to JW Marriott, 95% of the camp’s workforce comprises Kenyan nationals, contributing to local employment and skills development.
The camp is accessible via a 30-minute flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Nanyuki Airstrip, followed by a short road transfer, or by a three-hour drive from Nairobi.
All-inclusive rates start from US$1,499 per person per night.
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