Mukutan Retreat from the Mukutan which means 'the meeting' in Swahili language 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.Mukutan Retreat is located in a unique refuge overlooking the magnificent Mukutan gorge on the edge of the Great Rift Valley of Kenya and it is situated on the extreme west of the Laikipia region, the gem of the East African highlands, on the ranch of Ol Ari Nyiro.
Ol ari nyiro means 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. 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 on arrival at 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.
Accommodations Mukutan Retreat Safari
A stunning resort for between 12 and 14 people, lodging is provided by three traditional dwellings, perched at the edge of the gorge and patterned after native African rondavels..
Room décor at the Mukutan Retreat
Each is dressed with Swahili and Lamu furniture and built of local stone, papyrus and native woods. Room amenitiesEach 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 with Romantic four-poster beds are sheltered by a sloping tent -like roof and erected on red cedar terraces.
Special feature of the Mukutan Retreat
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 of environmentally responsible activities and eco-tourism.
Culinary Facilities At the Mukutan
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.
Mukutan Retreat 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. Recreation activities on Safari at Mukutan Retreat
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
Yoga Sessions
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 on Safari at Mukutan Retreat
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 that is locally extracted. An extraordinary series of dramatic ridges with steep gorges and valleys, open savannah plains sprouting with natural springs and waterfalls, including natural thermal hot springs, whose water has unusual deep blue and golden reflections. There are mysterious ancient caves and a sacred red hill of ochre, Mlima Ndongo, where since time immemorial pilgrimages to collect the holy ochre were made.
Safari at Mukutan Retreat Amazing wildlife
Elephants, 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 (groom) and the ranch also has a private herd of 100 camels.
Conference facilities not available
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.
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