JW Marriott has expanded its luxury safari portfolio with the opening of JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp, a wellness-focused retreat located within Kenya’s renowned Solio Game Reserve.

Situated between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Ranges, the new luxury camp offers guests immersive wildlife experiences alongside holistic wellness programmes in one of Africa’s leading rhino conservation areas.

Spanning 45,000 acres, Solio Game Reserve is home to one of the continent’s largest populations of both black and white rhinos, as well as lions, leopards, zebras, waterbuck, gazelles and more than 300 bird species.

Luxury Tented Suites Inspired by Nature

The camp features 19 luxury tented suites, including a two-bedroom suite, each offering panoramic views of Mount Kenya, the Aberdare Mountains, nearby watering holes or the surrounding savannah.

Designed by LW Design, the accommodation combines timber and canvas architecture with locally sourced furnishings, handcrafted artwork and contemporary Kenyan design. Private decks, plunge pools and freestanding bathtubs create seamless connections between indoor comfort and the surrounding wilderness.

Safari Adventures Beyond Game Drives

Guests can explore the reserve through sunrise and afternoon game drives, as well as guided night safaris offering opportunities to observe nocturnal wildlife, including servals, caracals, spotted hyenas and leopards.

Additional activities include guided walking safaris, birdwatching, cycling excursions, wildlife photography sessions with professional Canon equipment, helicopter tours, trout fishing on Mount Kenya and sunset painting experiences.

Farm-to-Table Dining

Dining centres around locally sourced ingredients and produce grown in the camp’s own garden.

The signature Mavuno restaurant serves seasonal menus inspired by Kenyan cuisine and international flavours, while The Garden Table offers an intimate multi-course dining experience featuring freshly harvested ingredients.

Guests can also enjoy bush breakfasts, candlelit dinners beneath the stars, Kenyan cooking classes and bread-making workshops. A dedicated wine room and the camp’s Five Elements cocktail programme further enhance the culinary experience.

Wellness in the African Wilderness

Wellness is a central part of the guest experience at the camp. The Spa by JW offers treatments inspired by regional healing traditions using products from Kenyan skincare brand Jani, incorporating ingredients such as moringa, wild aloe, Laikipia honey, cedar and clove.

The signature Solio Passage experience combines botanical massage, volcanic stone therapy, hydrotherapy and forest bathing into a half-day wellness journey. Additional facilities include a fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool and quiet meditation spaces.

Supporting Conservation and Local Communities

Operating within Solio Game Reserve, the camp follows low-impact tourism principles designed to support wildlife conservation while offering a more exclusive safari experience.

Guests can visit the Solio Rhino Orphanage to learn about conservation efforts, while the camp also supports local initiatives through the Lazizi Welfare Foundation and the Solio Women’s Empowerment Project, which provides sustainable income opportunities for women from neighbouring communities.

Sustainability measures include solar energy, rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling and responsible waste management. JW Marriott said 95% of the camp’s workforce comprises Kenyan nationals, supporting local employment and long-term economic development.

The safari camp is located approximately 30 minutes by air from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport via Nanyuki Airstrip, with all-inclusive rates starting from US$1,499 per person, per night.