Making memories, special memories made from the REAL stuff; adventure, mud fights, swimming in mountain streams, fits & giggles, forest walks, crabbing, fly fishing, roasting marshmallows on the campfire … get my jist? All at Ragati Log Cabins on the slopes of Mt. Kenya.
Filled with excitement we departed for Mt. Kenya. What a beautiful drive through the Mweiga and Nyeri farmlands, past The Aberdare Country Club before winding your way up the mountain through its ever changing flora…. until you get to the most beautiful forest that is Ragati.
On their website, they state ‘You will not find anywhere wilder!’, I tend to agree. Ragati is an uncut gem; a find that will make you proud you found it first and trust me you’ll never want to get it ‘cut’!
Ragati Conservancy lies on the Southern slopes of Mt. Kenya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and consists entirely of Afro-montane forest and Afro-alpine heath. It’s ecosystem includes the Ragati river and its tributaries, and is home to an abundance of wildlife; elephant, buffalo, leopard as well as the rare mountain bongo, crowned eagle and African clawless otter. Home also to some amazing birdlife.
This handsome wooden log cabin has a cozy sitting & dining room with a roaring fire, a large open verandah overlooking the stream trickling past, a little kitchen, four double rooms, a room with a bunk bed and a couple of bathrooms with delicious baths. There is no power and no fridge, but flickering safari lamps, solar lights and hot water… oh and a freezing river to keep your wine cool. It is truly self-catering, so I would suggest you take everything pre-prepared, but the wonderful Patrick is at hand to help with chopping, heating up and washing up, should you require.
The kids (6 of them, 3 to 10) were in adventure-heaven from beginning to end. This is mostly down to Ragati’s exceptional gillies; never did I meet 5 men so capable, so knowledgeable and so effortlessly excellent with a gaggle of such unruly children. They make Ragati proud. The kids & gillies day consisted of crabbing, fishing, exploring, adventure, swimming, mud-fights, water-fights, game-walks. All whilst the adults, 6 of us, relaxed, put the world to right, went on the odd beautiful forest meander, helped occasionally with some fly fishing, crabbing whilst overlooking a roaring waterfall, roasted marshmallows … heaven.
Ragati is truly an incredible weekend away or an incredible part of a safari.
Practicalities
Ragati Log Cabins – Very special times. Having your own personal home, with no other guests, no wifi … where you get to spend valuable time together, as a family and with your friends making memories…. whilst benefiting a community, the environment and the conservation area. We loved it, it is absolutely ideal for a family looking to travel alone or wuith another family or two (though you may need to add some beds and bedding)
Ragati Conservancy on the slopes of Mt. Kenya, Kenya – This is the ultimate if you are looking to experience unspoilt wilderness, whilst staying in a gorgeous log cabin, this is up there.
For those travelling to Kenya without kids – Anyone looking to experience an area completely unspoiled and uninhabited, anyone looking for privacy, beautiful walks, birdlife and fishing … whilst being comfy, this is the perfect place to break up a wildlife-heavy Kenyan safari.
For those travelling to Kenya with kids – For parents who would like their kids to experience grass-root nature, for those kids interested in the outdoors, this is heaven.
Weather – The weather was beautiful, brisk clear mornings, warm days and cool nights. The hottest month is usually December, January. The wettest month is usually April.
What to Pack? – Lots of layers asmd lots of changes of clothes for kids!! Shorts & shirts for the day, jumpers, jacket, trousers and jumpers for the evening & early morning …. swimming costumes for the brave … and lots of suncream.
Price – From Kshs8,000 / USD80 per person per night, self catering rate. Children under 7 are free. This includes conservancy fees, gillies, guilded walks, camp staff, fishing fees and firewood. If you would like food to be provided, Soames (deliciously yum, yum) can supply the following:
- Prepared meals to be collected from Soames on route for Kshs 800 / USD8 per person, per meal. Examples are Steak & Guinness pie, Spag Bog, Shepherds pie, Lasagne, Mousakka, Fish pie, Chilli, Beef Bourguignon.
- A Chef and food preparation at the cabin – Dinner & Breakfast & Lunch from Kshs 10,575 pp if there are 10 people, Kshs 11,200 pp if there are 8 people, Kshs 11,200 pp if there are 6 people, Kshs 13,700 pp if there are 4 people. They will also sell you bottles of alcoholic drinks, cases of beer etc.
My advise – Stay here, with your kids, making memories to last a lifetime. Not only is it amazingly beautiful, you are supporting a positive community project, a successful conservation project and you will spend proper valuable family-time….. a rarity in this day and age.
Book your family adventure here & get ready for a lifetime of memories!
Read more about our favourite family-friendly Hidden Gems in Africa.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Thank you for your kind comments, I am passionate about travel … and love to find new, unheard of places for my safari clients to visit. http://www.thesafaricoltd.com