The new tented camp in Solio Game Reserve draws on regional artisans and conservation efforts within a significant rhino sanctuary.
JW Marriott has opened a new tented safari camp within Kenya’s Solio Game Reserve. The JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp is situated on a 45,000-acre private conservancy, positioned between the slopes of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Ranges in Laikipia.
The camp’s architecture, envisioned by LW Design, draws on the quiet presence of the rhino. Structures utilise low-slung timber and canvas, designed to sit lightly within the landscape. Roll-up canvas walls aim to create a fluid transition between interior and exterior spaces, allowing the sights and sounds of the conservancy to enter each living area. Interior design incorporates natural palettes of warm earth tones, soft greens, and charcoal hues, alongside woven textiles and hand-carved timber. Furnishings and artwork, sourced from Kenyan artisans such as Kitengela Glass, Safari Bronze, and Ceramiqa Pottery Studio, reflect local heritage.
Accommodation includes 19 tented suites, one of which is a two-bedroom suite. Each suite is positioned for privacy, offering views across the surrounding savanna, waterholes, or mountain ranges. Private decks, plunge pools, and indoor freestanding baths are also provided.
Communal areas at the camp include the Map Room, which features a detailed map of the conservancy and acts as a central point for planning daily activities. A library and games room offers a relaxed setting. A retail boutique showcases modern Kenyan art and craft, including beadwork and textiles from local makers. According to the company, select pieces in the boutique come from the Solio Women’s Empowerment Project, with proceeds returned directly to the initiative.
Dining at the safari camp centres on a signature onsite garden, where herbs, fruits, and vegetables are grown for seasonal menus. The Garden Table offers an intimate multi-course experience set within the garden itself. Mavuno, the main restaurant, presents Kenyan-inflected menus prepared through open-fire cooking. The Ember Bar and Lounge provides a fireside setting for drinks and sharing plates, while a dedicated wine room accommodates private tastings and intimate dining.
Wellness facilities include the Spa by JW, offering treatments based on regional healing traditions and highland botanicals. A fitness centre, outdoor pool, and quiet spaces for reflection are also available. Beyond twice-daily game drives and night drives through the conservancy, guests can participate in guided walking safaris, cycling excursions, and birding. The camp provides access to professional camera equipment and onsite guidance from resident photographers. Bespoke experiences, available by request, include helicopter excursions, trout fishing on Mount Kenya, and sunset painting sessions. An educational visit to the Solio Rhino Orphanage offers direct insight into the conservation work supporting the reserve, where orphaned rhino calves undergo rehabilitation before reintroduction into the conservancy.
This new property provides a safari stay option that integrates design with local craft and a direct connection to wildlife conservation efforts.
Source
Hospitality Design — reported 22 July 2026. Read by the Amorielli news desk.
