527+ Bird Species
100+ Mammal Species
A Private Sanctuary
Next to the Park
Silole sits between the Empakasi and Kiserian gorges, adjoining Nairobi National Park. Because the sanctuary is unfenced on the park side, every animal that lives in the park also lives at Silole. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, black rhinos, giraffes, buffalo, eland, and more than five hundred species of bird move freely between the two.
Three distinct habitats meet here: riverine forest, grassland plains, and valley thicket. It is one of Kenya's most biodiverse corners, and one of the quietest.
Wilderness
Species
Species
in the Park
Bird, mammal and rhino figures are Nairobi National Park totals. The park is unfenced on the Silole side, so the same wildlife moves through the sanctuary.
The Houses
Both sit inside the sanctuary. Both run on solar. Both open onto unfenced bush.
Silole House
A stone house with three en-suite bedrooms, a walled garden courtyard, and a veranda that looks straight into the sanctuary. Room for families and groups who want space and privacy.
| Board Type | Per Night |
|---|---|
| Self-Catering Kitchen, linens, towels. Bring your own food. | $130 |
| Full Board Breakfast, lunch & dinner prepared for you. For up to 6 guests. | $205 |
| Full Board + Game Drive All meals + guided game drive with Will. | $300 |
- Good to know
- Book direct with Will: no platform fees
- Guided walks, including rhino walks, free for guests
- No minimum stay
- No cleaning or laundry charges
- Game drives priced per vehicle. KWS park fees additional
- WiFi, solar power, hot water 24/7
Silole Cottage
A thatched cottage with two en-suite bedrooms and an attic for extra children. The wraparound veranda looks straight into Nairobi National Park. The sunken stone bath has piping hot water from a Tanganyika boiler.
| Board Type | Per Night |
|---|---|
| Self-Catering Kitchen, linens, towels. Bring your own food. | $105 |
| Full Board Breakfast, lunch & dinner prepared for you. | $180 |
| Full Board + Game Drive All meals + guided game drive with Will. Park fees additional. | $275 |
- Good to know
- Book direct with Will: no platform fees
- Wood-burning fireplace in the lounge
- No minimum stay
- No cleaning or laundry charges
- Game drives priced per vehicle. KWS park fees additional
- WiFi, solar power, hot water 24/7
What You Can Do Here
Game drives at first light, rhino and birdwatching walks from the house, and multi-day camping safaris into wild Kenya.
Guided Game Drives
Open-roof safari vehicle for small-group game drives. Priced per vehicle. KWS park fees additional.
Book a Game Drive →
Wild Safari
Camping safaris to Shompole, Loita Hills, the Ngeng Valley, and Kiwayu Island by dhow, sleeping under canvas at exclusive campsites. For up to 4 people. Park and conservancy fees additional.
Plan a Safari →
Walking & Birdwatching
Walk the Empakasi and Kiserian gorge edges at dawn. Python country, eagles overhead, and birdsong around every bend. Rhino walks are part of the walking activities out of Silole House, free for guests.
Book a Walk →
Nairobi National Park
Lions, leopards, rhinos, seasonal zebra migrations, and the city skyline in the distance. Five minutes from our gate.
$80 non-resident adult • $40 African citizen • KES 1,350 Kenya resident • KES 1,000 East African citizen • children 5–17 and students half price, under 5 free
Arrange a Park Visit →
Walk With Black Rhinos
The Eastern Black Rhino is one of Africa's most ancient survivors. Nairobi National Park is home to at least 60 of them, and rhino walks are part of the guided walking activities out of Silole House.
- Free for guests staying at Silole House
- On-foot rhino tracking with expert guides
- Private and group walks available
- Directly supports conservation efforts
Will Knocker
Naturalist & Host
Will is a British forester naturalist who has lived for more than a decade on the southern boundary of Nairobi National Park. He hosts guests at Silole House and Silole Cottage, set in the sanctuary's 400 unfenced acres adjoining the park, and has spent that time getting to know the ecosystem on foot, day after day.
He leads every game drive himself in an open-roof safari vehicle. On longer trips he travels with his co-guide Maina, leading multi-day wild safaris to Shompole, Loita Hills, and the Ngeng Valley.
Member, Athi-Kapiti Wildlife Conservancies Association · Forester naturalist
Your Stay Keeps This Land Wild
Nairobi National Park is fenced on three sides by the city. The only open side is the south, where Silole sits. This 400-acre sanctuary is an ecological buffer to the park, containing the very important and biodiverse riparian habitats along the Empakasi and Kiserian Gorges which are the boundaries.
Development pressure is relentless. Land values are at record highs, and every year more of this open land is subdivided and sold.
Moments in the Wild
Wildlife, sunsets, birdlife, and the quiet beauty of sanctuary life
What Visitors Say
From first-night travellers to families who keep coming back.
"Silole house is a wonderful, easy get away from the city. Our two families greatly enjoyed our time there having meals and watching the trains and animals go by from the veranda. Definitely recommend!"
"Will's place is a real treat. We got close to zebra, antelopes and countless bird species. We spent most of the time on the veranda with an amazing view over the park with Nairobi in the distance. With full board we got very nice food."
TripAdvisor"Silole House in Silole Sanctuary, tucked away right next to Nairobi National Park, is a true gem for nature lovers."
"Silole House is an authentic Kenyan retreat. Three comfortable bedrooms, a cozy kitchen and a fantastic veranda where you can enjoy sunsets, siestas and meals while you enjoy the untouched nature with its many sounds from wildlife and birds."
"We were three adults and two little kids enjoying the views from the patio and a roaring fire in the sitting room at night. Being able to watch the impala and warthogs from the kitchen window is magical. A really nice weekend getaway!"
TripAdvisor"I really enjoyed my stay at Silole Cottage. It was super to find an affordable and cozy place to stay right next to Nairobi National Park."
"Silole house was a gem of a place, felt very remote. Will looked after us very well, checked in every day. Saw giraffe each of the 3 days we were there, and warthog and impala. Very happy with the booking."
"An extraordinary place in special environment. Peace in nature, place to relax and feel African atmosphere with zebras, warthogs and dikdik around. Cannot be better. Thank you!"
TripAdvisor"Away from the city with spectacular views and a backyard that has Giraffes and Buffaloes."
"We had a wonderful time at Will's place on the edge of Nairobi National Park! Charmingly furnished with a working fireplace and scenic veranda to die for!! A beautiful bush safari experience minutes from the city centre. Highly recommend."
"Wildlife right outside the door. It was fantastic to hear the lions at night. The host was very welcoming too. Would definitely recommend."
"A very peaceful place to stay. The kitchen and dining areas are huge and being able to bbq by the veranda is fantastic! Definitely worth a stay for someone looking for a peaceful getaway."
"A peaceful cottage with a fantastic view. The friendly staff offered to walk us to Kitengela Glass. We ate outside in the evening and it was amazing to hear the lions at night. The host was very welcoming."
From Dawn to Dusk
Every day at the sanctuary unfolds at its own pace. Here is what a typical stay looks like.
Head out with Will at first light when wildlife is most active. Look out for rhino and lion, watch giraffes cross the plains, and catch the sunrise over the park.
Return for a full breakfast on the veranda. Watch zebra and impala graze while you eat.
Walk the Empakasi gorge edge with binoculars. Martial eagles overhead, malachite kingfishers along the river.
Watch the sun set behind the Ngong Hills from the veranda, then move inside for dinner by the fireplace as the bush comes alive at night.
Find Us
Silole Sanctuary, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about visiting Silole, accommodation, wildlife, and booking your safari.
How far is Silole Sanctuary from Nairobi?
Can you see black rhinos at Silole Sanctuary?
What accommodation is available at Silole Sanctuary?
Who leads the game drives at Silole?
Is Silole Sanctuary safe?
Is Silole Sanctuary off-grid?
What is there to do near Silole Sanctuary?
Can I book a day trip to Silole without staying overnight?
What animals can I see at Silole Sanctuary?
How do I book a stay at Silole?
Can I see lions at Silole Sanctuary?
Is Silole Sanctuary child-friendly?
What is the best time to visit Silole?
Do I need a 4WD to get to Silole?
Can you see wildlife from the veranda?
Is Silole good for birdwatching and photography?
Can I visit Kitengela Glass from Silole?
Getting Here
Reached via Magadi Road from Bomas of Kenya, or through the Masai Gate at the south end of Nairobi National Park.
Drive times are traffic dependent.
Directions
- 1. Turn left onto Masai Lodge Road from Magadi Road
- 2. Keep going through the security barrier on the murram road to the very end, to Masai Lodge (or you will end up at the Park)
- 3. Turn right at the gates of Masai Lodge and follow the track to Silole House (it is on Google Maps)
- 4. 4WD recommended during rainy season
Contact & Transfers
- Our own reliable taxi service runs from JKIA to Silole
- Pickup from any park gate, hotel, or home by arrangement
- WhatsApp: +254 721 646 588
- Phone: +254 721 646 588
- Email: info@silolesanctuary.com
What to Bring
Send a Message
Come and Stay
Stays from $105 / night. Personally answered by Will, your host.