Wildebeest Eco Camp

Wildebeest Eco Camp is a long-established budget base, set in leafy gardens in Lang'ata on the south-western side of the city. Its appeal is flexibility: you can pitch your own tent, take a dorm bed or a simple budget room, sleep in a garden tent or upgrade to a deluxe safari tent. That range suits overlanders, backpackers and families who want a taste of tented accommodation before heading out on safari.

The deluxe safari tents are the most comfortable option, each with its own deck and an en-suite bathroom with a hot shower, basin and flush toilet. Garden tents and the cheaper options share communal bathrooms and showers. Around the camp there are lush gardens and a terrace, a guest lounge, a gift shop, a playground and a dedicated camping area, as well as a pool for cooling off after a day of sightseeing. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Meals are served on site, with a buffet that has been praised by guests and a shorter à la carte menu. Having food on hand is useful here, as the camp sits in a quiet residential area and most visitors do not want to travel far after dark.

The location is ideal for the southern sights. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery, Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum are all a short drive away, so it is easy to fit two or three of them into a single day. The Galleria Mall is about 30 minutes away on foot, and matatus run from there towards the city centre, although most visitors use taxis or ride-hailing apps, especially at night.

The camp suits budget travellers, solo backpackers, families with children and anyone who prefers gardens and fresh air to a city-centre hotel. It is also practical for early starts on safari or flights from Wilson Airport, which is on the same side of the city. Book ahead for the deluxe tents in the busy safari months, bring a warm layer for cool Nairobi nights, and ask the camp about transfers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport if you are arriving late.