Kenya Safaris: Mount Kenya Safari Club 

Mount Kenya Safari Club (Kenya - Central Highlands 5 )

The Mount Kenya Safari Club was founded in 1959 by William Holden, the late film star, highly eccentric American Ray Ryan and Carl Hirschmann, a Swiss financier. From the outset it attracted a cosmopolitan and glamorous clientele - those connected with Hollywood and the royalty and jet set who found the Hollywood connection irresistible. The Club still retains a strong sense of history and, unlike many hotels, has not swept away the old in favor of the new. The William Holden cottages retain an ambience recalling the 1950's glamour that is now so fashionable - huge french windows, white terrace furniture, and large cozy sofas in the central sitting room. The Riverside suites are more modern and very private, with vaulted ceilings and riverfront sites. The roaring fires, fuelled by huge logs that are lit every evening in the cottages add considerably to the feeling of soothing relaxation experienced by the visitor.

The huge grounds at the Club are absolutely fabulous! Immaculately kept, abundant with beautiful blooming shrubs and trees, dotted with ponds and lakes, and alive with marabou storks, little egrets and peacocks, they stretch verdantly into the distance with the dramatic bulk of Mount Kenya behind. A beautiful pool, surrounded by colonial style cane furniture, also has the mountain as its backdrop. Often wreathed in cloud it appears from time to time allowing the observer a sense of privilege. The main club building is dotted with memorabilia - huge trophy heads from the days when hunting was permitted and photographs of famous actors, actresses and various luminaries, from the past up to the present day, adorn the walls.