Kenya’s Solio Game Reserve, home to one of Africa’s most successful rhino conservation programmes, now has a new place to stay. The new JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp sits within the 45,000-acre reserve, placing guests in the heart of one of the continent’s largest populations of both black and white rhinos.
Located between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains, the 19-suite camp pairs a traditional safari experience with wellness, conservation and locally inspired dining. Solio has spent decades protecting and breeding rhinos, earning an international reputation as one of Kenya’s greatest conservation success stories and one of the best places in Africa to see the species in the wild.
While rhinos are undoubtedly the reserve’s biggest attraction, they’re far from the only wildlife to call Solio home. Game drives, walking safaris and cycling excursions explore the conservancy by day, where sightings can include leopards, lions, gazelles and more than 300 bird species. After-dark drives reveal some of Solio’s more elusive residents, including serval, caracal and spotted hyena. Guests can also visit the Solio Rhino Orphanage to learn more about the rehabilitation of orphaned calves and the vital work being undertaken to safeguard the future of the species.
With just 19 tented suites, the camp feels small-scale despite its dramatic setting. Designed by LW Design, the canvas-and-timber accommodation sits discreetly within the landscape, with each suite featuring a private plunge pool and outdoor deck overlooking the reserve. Inside, handcrafted furniture, woven textiles and locally produced artwork reflect the work of Kenyan artisans.
Dining centres around fresh, seasonal ingredients, with much of what is served coming straight from the camp’s own garden. Alongside the main restaurant, guests can opt for bush breakfasts, sundowners overlooking the reserve or The Garden Table experience, where a multi-course menu celebrates freshly gathered local produce.
Between safaris, guests can head to Spa by JW, which offers a range of treatments drawing on local traditions, while a fitness centre and outdoor swimming pool provide an opportunity to unwind. The signature half-day Solio Passage experience combines massage, hydrotherapy, and forest bathing for those looking to slow the pace after time spent exploring the reserve.
Solio has earned its reputation through decades of conservation work, and that’s what sets this opening apart. The wildlife is extraordinary, but it’s the opportunity to experience one of Africa’s most successful rhino reserves from within the conservancy itself that makes this one of Kenya’s most exciting new safari stays.
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