| The Mount Kenya safari club, with its blend of | | | | hundred acres contain a wide and diverse range |
| romance, history and scenery has become a | | | | of accommodation. a whole host of sporting |
| Kenyan tradition. Built right at the equator on a | | | | options are available and there are conference |
| ridge facing Mt Kenya the site is truly | | | | facilities shops and galleries hotel vehicles are even |
| magnificent-well worth a visit just for the view | | | | necessary to transport you from your cottage or |
| alone. The grand main building gleam white against | | | | villa to the main hotel . the fine and popularity of |
| the green sweep of surrounding lawns and there | | | | the club has meant expanding the accommodation |
| are dramatic views of the foothill forest rising to | | | | and services to cope with the influx of tourist |
| the peaks of Mt Kenya | | | | who visit |
| The original building was designed as a dream | | | | The hotel maintains a tradition of upscale elegance. |
| home by Rhoda Prudhomme for her husband. As | | | | There is a dress code for dinner there is live |
| a wealthy New York matron of 50 Rhoda fell in | | | | music for dancing and children must eat |
| love with the young French aviator who took her | | | | separately .the manicured gardens encourage |
| big game hunting on her safari in Kenya .she gave | | | | sedate strolls. There is a sense of formality |
| up all to marry and live with him in Njoro among | | | | harking back to an earlier era a hint of snobbery |
| the Happy valley set of the 1930s. The land had | | | | and pretension. The Mount Kenya safaris club |
| been owned by a Mrs. Wheelers who agreed to | | | | operates a s a both a club and a hotel. Although |
| sell it to them as "only lovers would live there." | | | | anyone can stay here there are also paid-up club |
| The Prudhommes called the house they built | | | | members who get special attention |
| Mawingu, Swahili for the clouds cloaking the slopes | | | | It is the setting of the Mt Kenya safari club which |
| of Mt Kenya | | | | is also special so memorable. the view is |
| The houses with its many guest rooms become | | | | spectacular. You look across sweeping lawns past |
| an inn in 1948 when it was purchased by | | | | the idyllic swimming pool to the dark evergreens |
| Abraham block. In 1959 William Holden and two | | | | of the foothill forests and further up to the clouds |
| friends rested there during a shooting safari. They | | | | and peaks of Mt Kenya. Moving back and forth |
| fell in love with the place, bought it and turned it | | | | across the lawns is an amazing parade of |
| into one of the most unusual and exclusive clubs | | | | enormous birds: marabous, peacocks, and cranes |
| in the world the Mt Kenya safari club. Sir Winston | | | | There is a varied selection of things to do here. |
| Churchill was a founding member as were Lord | | | | You can browse through the excellent art galley |
| Louis Mountbatten Robert Ruark U.S president | | | | ride horses though the forests laze by the pool |
| Lyndon Johnson, Conrad Hilton, Bob Hope, Bing | | | | have a massage play a round of golf, visit the |
| Crosby and more during the last 40 years the | | | | boutiques, shop for books or curios, and wander |
| club’s guest book has been signed by many | | | | through the aviary the list is goes on and on. |
| famous of the world. It is now a "leading hotel of | | | | The accommodation at the Mt Kenya safari club |
| the world" | | | | covers a wide range of styles locations and prices. |
| The Sense of history remains strong in the main | | | | you can have quite a different experience here |
| building and the original William Holden cottages. | | | | depending on which room you get. For example |
| There is an odd mix of colonial Kenya and the | | | | you can be social and feel steeped in history if |
| glitz and glamor of the Hollywood set. In the | | | | you stay in one of the rooms or suites in the |
| Trophy lounge are big leather seats and the walls | | | | main building. On the other hand if you want a |
| sport antlers and mounted heads- the room | | | | more private experience you can opt for one of |
| oozes "hunting’ and "gentleman." In the | | | | the lavishly appointed newer cottages tucked |
| nearby Mountain View lounge zebra skins space | | | | down by the river. You can be in a rather |
| with glossy photos of film stars. It is not hard to | | | | functional room with small windows or you can |
| imagine these rooms peopled with film and | | | | luxuriate in front of massive stone fireplace in a |
| celebrities of earlier days. | | | | grand cottage with stunning views of the |
| Today the Mount Kenya safari club is a large and | | | | mountain. The options are wide varied and |
| complex organization .the grounds of over a | | | | confusing. |