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Desert Rose is a unique eco friendly lodge located at 5,500 feet asl on the verdant cedar forest slopes of Mt Nyiru which towers majestically above the Elbarta plains, between Karisia Mountains and Lake Turkana in North Kenya.It consists of five unique houses accommodating up to twelve people, two cottages with double beds, two twins and a family house. The houses are entirely secluded, which guarantees comfort and intimacy. All are hand-made and individually designed around various natural features. Each suite has its own private flush toilet and an open air en-suite bathroom with a bath. It also has its own patio.The main lounge and a pool area have been hand crafted to blend with the indigenous gardens, landscaped to enhance the dramatic views. In the main lounge guests have at their disposal a fully stocked bar, a sitting room and a fireplace. If they wish, they can also make a bonfire outdoors in a specially prepared fire site.
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The adventure begins with the trip. If you don't want to drive for days to the lodge because it is so remote you need to rent a plane (we did that through Air Tropic and were very satisfied) to a nearby airstrip. The lodge will pick you up for a scenic 45 minute drive and stop at a nearby village where you are greeted by a colorful ceremony conducted by very friendly local villagers. Then the 4WDR jeep will take you up on a mountain road you have never ever been on in your life, what an experience to be met at the lodge with fresh lime juice and cold towels. The name of the lodge is misleading. It is in a thick forest with great views next to a waterfall, beautifully crafted objects and interior, spacious rooms, intimate salon with fireplace, everything is open, no windows, even the bathrooms are under the stars. After dinner you retire to your comfortable four poster bed, to reach your room you need to walk through the vast gardens, there are many steps and the lighting is poor with lanterns so be prepared and bring a torch with you. We were at the lodge for two nights, but three is may be better because we never spent the whole day just at the lodge which we would have loved to. Instead we were taken to an island in Lake Turkana, where the landscape looks a bit like you imagine the moon to be (desert and rocks) , to colorful villages and on nature hikes through the forest. The food at the lodge is simple but good, they have wine and spirits and ending the day at the dining table of the lodge is most delightful. We were six and had the whole lodge to ourselves as they only have five rooms with a maximum guest capacity of 12. I highly recommend to include this wonderful Eco Lodge experience to your Kenya trip.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Location
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Room Tip:Â the rooms are all different, one is a suite for four pax
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The road to Desert Rose from Nairobi through Isiolo is in very good shape, easily done in a 4x4. It’s a long but totally worthwhile drive which we split with an overnight in Samburu. Desert Rose is an intimate luxury lodge perched on the mountain with amazing views all around. The experience here is so unique and peaceful - you are indeed in another world. The hosts and the staff go out of their way to cater to all your needs and make you feel very comfortable. We spent 4 nights in a beautiful handcrafted wooden house overlooking the mountains, waking up to the sounds of birds and a waterfall. Northern Kenya is incredible. We hiked to the top of the overlooking mountain and made a day trip to Lake Turkana. Our time there was too short but we are planning another trip and will be returning to Desert Rose. It is magic!
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Date of stay: December 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Loved the "Wooden House" but every cottage is unique
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I had always wanted to travel to northern Kenya, to Samburu and Turkana, and had heard about Desert Rose from friends as a very special place to stay. So my Maasai family travelled from our manyatta in the Mara, just before Christmas also as a relief from COVID. DR is the only place to stay within this large remote large area! Tucked away almost in a secret valley of its own, DR has everything the adventurous person wanting some comfort would want. Spectacular scenery, gorgeous rooms nestled into the forest, beautiful weather and dazzling might skies. We were a large family (8 with children aged from 3 - 16) and Gregory and Georgina the owners could not have been more welcoming and hospitable. Food was wonderful and amazingly matched to everyone's needs - this was especially impressive given how far away the nearest sources are. With time on our hand, we relaxed by the "beach" played croquet on an unbelievable green lawn, and generally hung out. Warming fires in the evening and plenty of blankets meant that we had great family time together. The swimming pool is small but perfect. If you want a very special getaway Desert Rose is it. And your visit will help the local community FOR REAL. Unlike other lodges which claim to be helping the community but just say it for show, Gregory, Georgina and all at Desert Rose are passionate about helping local people (there are about 20 people working at the lodge) as well as trying to protect the oldest remaining cedar forest and the Mt Nyieru water tower. Your visit will make a difference, of that I am sure. So make the journey, it is worth every shilling. For us it was very special because we met members of our clan and same name... it felt like coming home and we are now committed to working together on saving the forest and creating new sources of energy and jobs.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â All the rooms are amazing and with a feeling of being in the forest itself, perfect toilets,...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have always wanted to make sure that I visit as many places in Kenya as this was my birth place and I need to know it. With this in mind we decided to do a road trip to Turkana, the semi-desert in Northern Kenya, and on the recommendation of a friend booked our stay at Desert Rose. What a gem of a place! Getting there was a bit of an adventure. You have to experience it in person and no words can really explain it😳 The lodge is absolutely stunning. Unique designs featured in the room which is an open air concept, no doors but completely private. The staff were exceptional, treating us like family. Food was good too. I can’t say enough about this place, one has to experience it to appreciate it
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed for 2 nights and gosh it’s a hidden gem in the north of kenya! Service with a smile, good was sumptuous and catered for vegetarians. The lunch by the river was yummy with spectacular views of the sacred mountain and valley. There is a natural water slide and pond to cool off after the long, hot, dusty drive! My gals who are 8 & 12 years old definitely wanted to stay for longer!!! The rooms cater for families and couples. Shweta and her team were always available for anything we needed. The day trip to suguta valley was the highlight of our adventure in the north!! Highly recommended! Hats off to Shweta and her team for making it happen. We will definitely return to climb the scares mountain and go on a fly camp with them. Keep it up !!!
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Bring books clothes for helping the villagers who live at the bottom of the mountain. Respect...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Desert Rose is an unforgettable experience! You feel completely spoilt from the moment you arrive. The rooms and main dining area have breath taking views. The hikes (and other activities including: lunch by the river, rock sliding) or simply relaxing under the Bedouin tent on beautiful rugs is magical. And the fire place makes you feel as if you are home.
Greg, Georgina and the staff have managed to create something that is truly out of this world and recommended for a romantic getaway and/or a trip with the kids.
Thank you Desert Rose a million times and we will be back soon!
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Date of stay: December 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â Best views.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
With only a few days in Kenya, I wasn't sure I wanted to travel and spend 3 of those days in "the middle of nowhere". Thankfully my sister and Gregory were persistent enough that we decided to give it a try. What I didn't realize is that the middle nowhere was the middle of everywhere. The lodge itself is gorgeous and offers so much from hiking to relaxing by the water to learning about culture to spotting animals in the wild... beyond the lodge, desert rose is a great place to commute from and visit various spectacular areas in Kenya and Georgina and Gregory will make sure you get the most out of it. I was worried I wouldn't experience much of Kenya, by spending 3 days of my short trip in desert rose but little did I know I would experience more than many would in a month and that's thanks to the hosts making sure everyone of your wishes comes true! Thank you to the Desert Rose family for the beautiful welcome and for truly giving us a once in a lifetime experience and friendships to cherish for ever.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perched on a mountain rock, Desert Rose defies gravity and offers incomparable views. The public spaces tempt with terraces, cushions and the sound of water flowing into the pool from a mountain stream, so you may find it difficult to decide where to seat yourself with a book or yoga mat; in the end, however, inhaling the vistas prevail over any intended activity. There is surprisingly many things to do at Desert Rose: day-trips to Turkana Lake and Suguta Valley, hikes of different level of difficulty, each rewarding with a breathtaking panorama. And the cuisine is exquisite and vegetarian-friendly. It is definitely worthwhile to extend the stay into 3-4 nights in order to savor it all.
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Date of stay: March 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Absolutely amazing place, in the middle of nowhere in prostine Kenya. After a beautiful drive with views by 4x4 car, we arrived to the luxurious place, we were greeted with a drink by the excellent lodge service. A place is cut off from civilization, the only contact in this place is contact with nature. Delicious food, plenty of activities and attractions offered by the lodge, well-kept cottages in an original style and beautiful views. I higly recommend this magical place!
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Date of stay: January 2021
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there William. Desert Rose's non-resident rate is US$625pppn. This includes full board accommodation, guided bush walks, guided bird walks, cultural visits to Turkana and Samburu villages, bush meals, sundowners, camel assisted day excursions, airstrip transfers, laundry service. If you wish to visit Lake Turkana the lodge has a fly camp as well. Kind regards
There are more places to choose from in the Turkana District area.
LOCATION
KenyaRift Valley ProvinceTurkana District
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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