The JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp has opened in Laikipia’s Solio Game Reserve.
Set on a 45,000-acre private conservancy nestled between the slopes of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Ranges, the camp comprises 19 tented suites (including a two-bedroom suite), each positioned for privacy with views across the surrounding savanna, waterholes, or mountain ranges.
Rooted in place
Envisioned by LW Design, the architecture takes cues from the quiet presence of the rhino. Low-slung timber and canvas structures sit lightly within the landscape, while roll-up canvas walls create a fluid transition between interior and exterior, drawing the sights and sounds of the conservancy into each living space. Private decks, plunge pools, and indoor freestanding baths further extend the sense of immersion.
Inside, the interior design layers natural palettes of warm earth tones, soft greens, and charcoal hues with woven textiles and hand-carved timber. Furnishings and artwork sourced from Kenyan artisans—including Kitengela Glass, Safari Bronze, and Ceramiqa Pottery Studio—anchor each suite in local heritage.
Shared spaces at JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp
Communal areas include the Map Room, which features a detailed map of the conservancy and functions as a natural gathering point for planning the day’s activities.
A library and games room offers a more relaxed setting, while a retail boutique showcases modern Kenyan art and craft, including beadwork and textiles from local makers. Select pieces in the boutique come from the Solio Women’s Empowerment Project and proceeds are returned directly to the initiative.
Dining and wellness in the safari
Dining at the camp centers on a signature onsite garden, where herbs, fruits, and vegetables are grown and incorporated directly into seasonal menus. The Garden Table offers an intimate multi-course experience set within the garden itself. Mavuno, the camp’s main restaurant, presents Kenyan-inflected menus built around open-fire cooking, while Ember Bar and Lounge provides a fireside setting for drinks and sharing plates. A dedicated wine room accommodates private tastings and intimate dining as well.
Wellness facilities include the Spa by JW, which offers treatments rooted in regional healing traditions and highland botanicals, alongside a fitness center, outdoor pool, and quiet spaces for reflection.
Educational experiences
Beyond twice-daily game drives and night drives through the conservancy, guests can explore the landscape through guided walking safaris, cycling excursions, and birding. The camp also offers access to professional camera equipment and onsite guidance from resident photographers. Bespoke experiences, available by request, include helicopter excursions, trout fishing on Mount Kenya, and sunset painting sessions.
An educational visit to the Solio Rhino Orphanage provides direct insight into the conservation work that underpins the reserve, where orphaned rhino calves are rehabilitated before reintroduction into the conservancy.
