KENYA – The historic Treetops Hotel, nestled in the heart of Aberdares Forest, has reopened after closing down during the Covid pandemic.
The lodge, founded in 1932, was where Britain’s then-Princess Elizabeth stayed when she became queen.
Elizabeth, then 25, was staying at Treetops in February 1952 with her husband Prince Philip on a visit to the then British colony, the first stop of a tour of the Commonwealth, when her father, King George VI, died of lung cancer.
First opened as an overnight stay for wealthy and intrepid visitors, Treetops Lodge overlooks a watering hole in the Aberdares National Park, about a three-hour drive from the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Two years after the historic visit to Kenya, with Elizabeth having assumed the throne, Treetops burned down in what was rumored to be an arson attack by anti-colonial Mau Mau rebels.
A new, much larger hotel was built on elevated wooden stilts on the opposite side of the watering hole to the original setting, where it still stands today.
It shut down in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic that devastated tourism in Kenya and worldwide.
Treetops lay dormant for three years after the COVID-19 pandemic before coming under new management and renovation.
According to the new proprietor, Dr. Keith Ikinu, the lodge will support local conservation projects and sustainable tourism practices in collaboration with various wildlife organizations.
“This is an emotional endeavor for me. The closure of this hotel had a negative economic effect on the community. We intend to revive the tourism circuit around Mount Kenya while opening the hotel to domestic tourists,” Dr Ikinu said.
Located 17 kilometers from Nyeri town, it has a capacity of 70 guests with 36 rooms and boasts of the exquisite “Princess room” where Queen Elizabeth stayed.
It still retains its rustic, timeless charm while embracing modernization and the addition of luxurious amenities, ensuring that guests can enjoy both comfort and an unparalleled connection to nature.
Guests can enjoy game drives, nature walks and sample the hotel’s dining experiences and gift shop.
Its elevated “Treetops” treehouse-style accommodations offer panoramic views of the forest and its inhabitants, including elephants, buffalo, and a myriad of bird and antelope species. One may even spot the ever-elusive leopards.
Guests can experience the thrill of wildlife observation from the comfort of their rooms while enjoying world-class hospitality and immersive natural experiences.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua underscored the hotel’s importance in protecting the region’s diverse ecosystem.
“This is where our great and gallant Mau Mau fighters fought for our liberation. We need to protect the flora and fauna and open up economic opportunities for this region and beyond. The Aberdare is rich and has exotic places, and I am happy it will be anchored again around Treetops,” he said.
Gachagua further expressed the need for more local investment in the tourism sector and inclusion of the Gen Z demographic, noting that there was great potential for domestic tourism.
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