Ol Bobongi House

We got engaged at Mukima, so the place will always mean something deeper to us. It still feels like a dream that such an important moment happened somewhere so special. Since getting back to London, we’ve told friends and family the story again and again, and each time it brings us back to those days. The memories of meals, laughter and quiet afternoons have stayed with us. Mukima is the kind of place that remains with you after you leave, and we feel lucky to have been part of its story. We can’t wait to return. The people there made the stay feel like being part of a family. The team’s warmth, care and attention to small details made the experience special. The house is breathtaking, set against Mount Kenya, and the gardens and grounds kept revealing something new. Meals were fresh, delicious and served in beautiful settings. We found a lovely balance between exploring in the mornings, relaxing in the afternoons and sitting under starry skies in the evenings. From the moment we arrived, the beauty, calm and thoughtfulness made it feel like another world. Every detail seemed flawless, and words still don’t quite capture how magical our time at Mukima was. If you’re considering a visit, don’t hesitate. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s become part of us.

The food was so fresh and nourishing, simple but with little surprises. It’s the kind of food I wish I made for myself every day. The massages were mind-blowing, and I slept like a rock each night. I’d recommend a day on safari at Ol Pejeta with the guide, and sunrise yoga overlooking the lake. I came home feeling refreshed from head to toe, body and soul. Mukima feels like a sanctuary, with a warmth from the house, staff and surroundings that lasted from start to finish. The house is stunning, even better than the pictures, and the garden and land are hard to describe. I wish I could share the birdsong, the soft breeze through the trees and all the flower colours, but you have to experience it. My favourite things were the soul and love you feel in everything and everyone, the house’s old charm, the food, the refreshing pool, and the views of Mount Kenya and the lake.

The dam creates a lake that’s a haven for all kinds of birds, with spectacular displays at dawn and dusk. Mukima also has an impressive view of Mt Kenya, and it’s hard to imagine a better spot for sundowners. We had a perfect holiday, relaxing in the calm of a traditional colonial era guesthouse, with attentive staff and excellent food.

The homemade lime and lemon sorbet was so good, I could’ve eaten a whole pot. If only the food had been consistent, the stay would’ve been perfect. The house is a magnificent, well-built stone and wood place, stately and surrounded by beauty and tranquillity, which made our tough strategic planning easier. The staff, especially the housekeepers, were trained, kind, polite and discreet. You barely saw them outside meal times. Sitting by the fire on plush sofas with tea in interesting kettles and caddies, or seeing that heart-stopping sunrise, is hard to put into words. It’s where novels begin.