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Mukutan Retreat

Mukutan means 'The Meeting' and it is here that the fingers of the surrounding hills meet. The Retreat is perched on the cliffs overlooking the gorge, its waterfalls, palm trees and extraordinary thermal Hot Springs. The unique setting, the silence and the evocative sounds of Africa, make of the Mukutan Retreat an exclusive hideaway for discriminate travellers, who wish to find a total communion with nature in simple yet sophisticated comfort. The paradox of the Retreat is that it remains exquisitely civilized, yet it is the very antithesis of civilization. There is no electricity in the Mukutan; the obtrusive hum of an electric generator is forbidden. Power is collected by solar panels, although most illumination is by candlelight. In fact, upon reaching the Retreat the last several hundred meters are covered on foot to eliminate the sound of vehicles and preserve the ancient silence of the Mukutan Gorge. The bellhops are camels, carrying luggage to the cottage doors. Mukutan proprietor, Kuki Gallmann, has painstakingly modeled the Retreat to be the penultimate African destination. Every object is a hand-selected part of a perfect puzzle that delivers the Africa of lore.

Location

The Retreat is a unique refuge overlooking the spectacular Mukutan Gorge on the edge of the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. It is situated on the extreme west of the region of Laikipia, the gem of the East African Highlands, on the ranch of Ol Ari Nyiro Ol Ari Nyiro - The place of Dark Waters in Maasai language - is a 100,000 acre ranch where conservationist and author Kuki Gallmann's haunting autobiography, 'I Dreamed of Africa' is based.

Climate

The retreat lies roughly 6,200 feet above sea level, resulting in warm days and cool nights. May through September is the coolest time of year; November through March is the warmest.

Hotel Details

Number of Rooms:

A stunning resort for 12/14 people,Lodging is provided by three traditional dwellings, perched at the edge of the gorge and patterned after native African rondavels.. ROOM DCOR: Each is dressed with Swahili and Lamu furniture and built of local stone, papyrus and native woods.ROOM AMENITIES: Each hut offers luxurious accommodations with double beds, a fireplace and a private veranda overlooking the cliffs. The six enormous tents, three with two large queen beds each, and three withromantic four-poster beds, are sheltered by a sloping tent -like roof and erected on red cedar terraces.

 

SPECIAL FEATURE:Very recently Stone Age and Iron Age archaeological remains of immense potential value which have now been officially investigated by The National Museums of Kenya- have been discovered in Ol ari Nyiro. Makena's Hills and the Mukutan Retreat in Ol ari Nyiro have both been awarded a green tick by the Green Globe Award organization in recognition ofenvironmentally responsible activities and eco-tourism.

Food & Drink

From fresh, organic ingredients all locally grown on the ranch, and fish from our lakes, guests will have a choice of famous Italian cuisine and Indian /Chinese spicy vegetarian and evocative food prepared by our trained chefs. All food is organically grown in the estate gardens.

General Facilities

A satellite telephone is available for guests at a charge of $6 per minute.
Power at the retreat is supplied by solar panels and batteries. Guests can recharge batteries for video equipment with a 220-240 volt transformer.

Recreational Facilities

A private herd of 100 camels.-A central large reception area with two giant fireplaces, vast front terrace where a fire is lit every night for a stunning campfire effect, dining rooms and bar, a shop with a selection of rare local crafts, a panoramic swimming pool, and secluded viewpoints amongst clumps of trees for sundowners, meditation, yoga and relaxation are all part of the layout.

  • Special yoga and holistic stress healing sessions are offered to interested guests in addition to horse riding, camel walks, fishing and the most extraordinary scenic game drives and walks in Kenya.
  • Sight seeing: The forest of Enghelesha, the only indigenous and protected forest in the area, home to the last remaining troupes of the rare and endangered Colobus monkey. Endless hills covered in wild sage -leleshwa- whose leaves produce an exceptional healing essential oil, locally extracted. An extraordinary series of dramatic ridges, steep gorges and open savannah,valleys and plains.Natural springs and waterfalls, including natural thermal Hot Springs,whose water has unusual deep blue and golden reflections.Mysterious ancient caves and a sacred red hill of Ochre, Mlima Ndongo, where since time immemorial pilgrimages to collect the holy ochre were made.
  • Amazing wildlife: Elephant, the largest population of Cape buffalo on private land in Kenya, Eland, Waterbuck, Lion, Leopard and Cheetah and over 400 species of birds makes of Ol Ari Nyiro a rare and extraordinary place.
  •  Over thirty horses, with riding equipment and syces.

Current Situation
19.05.2012


mostly cloudy
15°C
Sunrise 06:27:00
Sunset 18:34:00

Today's Forecast
19.05.2012


scattered thunderstorms
11 °C (Low)
26°C (High)
 

Tomorrow's Forecast
20.05.2012


scattered thunderstorms
13 °C (Low)
25°C (High)
 

 
airOn request, we can combine your safari itinerary with a stay at the beach hotels in Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu and Zanzibar for any number of nights.