If you are looking for somewhere to stay near Nairobi and want to avoid a characterless hotel, then Swara Plains Acacia Camp is well worth it. Raine, who manages the place, is very helpful and the staff are extremely friendly. My late night pickup from the airport (a bit expensive at 40$, but it's hard for taxis to find this place) went without a hitch. The small thatched houses are basic but comfortable and the only noise that may keep you awake are the bushbabies calling in the trees. Meals are served on a covered terrace wih a lovely view of the gardens. Food is excellent. I am vegetarian and they were happy to cook specially for me. The two dogs are happy to keep you company while you eat and only leave your side to chase off the monkeys that tease them from the roof. The main attraction is the wildlife and the fact that you can experience it on foot (unlike in most national parks). A short walk from the camp I saw giraffes grazing, a little further on zebra, wildebeest, gazelles, eland, impala, ostrich and warthog. Well worth a visit.

We arrived from Europe on an overnight flight and went straight to Acacia Camp. After a welcoming drink we went to our banda and caught up with some much needed sleep.
Acacia camp is a wonderful introduction to Africa - a good place to await one's spirit to catch up with the body. The staff are attentive, friendly but not overbearing. The garden is a delight with so many birds to watch as well as the occasion troop of monkeys. The food was good and the beers cold! The ranch is full of game and more birds. The bandas are rustic but all have the essentials: comfortable bed, good net, an evening generator and a night lamp, a good shower with hot water.
We enjoyed a walk through the ranch with a very knowledgeable guide - Nation.
Start or end your time in Kenya by staying here you will not regret it.

In the past, we had traveled quite a few hours between parks and always seemed rushed to get back to Nairobi in time for flights. We decided on Acacia Camp due to its proximity to the Wilson Airport as we were going to be traveling onwards to the Masai Mara. Although a bit hard to find the end turn off, our driver eventually located the sign and we were soon at Acacia's door step. The staff welcomed us with refreshing drinks and warm smiles. The cabins were quaint, very basic but clean and comfortable. For those of you wanting a safety deposit box, bottled water, shampoo & conditioner, this would probably not be the best place for you.... but the budget friendly price reflected this. We enjoyed the seclusion, the grounds and the daily walks. There was ample wildlife to view including cheetah, but in the end, we enjoyed the birding most. The food was ample, varied and delicious. Raine even bent over backwards to satisfy all my dietary needs, including catering to my husband who was ill for a day. We thoroughly enjoyed our time relaxing by the campfire and star gazing every night.

This camp is not well know but should be considering its proximity to Nairobi. If you don't mind "roughing it" for a few days, the attentive staff, food, and nature walks, as well as the affordable price are well worth it. This is definitely a place for backpackers looking to save a few dollars or those wanting to get off the beaten track.

My daughters and I were stranded in Nairobi as a result of the volcanic ash. We spent a desperate day searching for somewhere to stay but most of the hotels were either full or were charging ridiculous rates. Fortunately for us a friend contacted us and said that she could arrange for us to stay at her friend’s game lodge. A couple of phone calls and an hour later somebody from the camp collected us at Nairobi airport and 40 minutes later we arrived at Acacia Camp.

As we walked into the camp our luggage was whisked off and we were taken to our cabin. The room although basic and rustic was welcoming, cosy and clean, it had mosquito nets over the beds and an en suite bathroom. We freshened up and then decided to explore our surroundings. The camp is set out in a horse shoe shape and is dominated by an open fronted dining area in the centre. The gardens are beautiful and well-tended with tables and sun loungersare dotted around the grounds. In the centre of the garden is a canopied seating area. We relaxed with a welcome drink in the sunshine watching the numerous monkeys cavorting around us, and felt like we were in heaven.

The staff at Acacia are the loveliest people you could ever wish to meet. Our situation was, like so many others, dreadful. Raine, who was in charge couldn’t have done more for us, she is a fantastic character who cracks the whip but is still respected by her staff. David, the owner, is a charismatic charming gentleman. We are deeply indebted to him for managing (I don’t know how) to get us onto a flight back home. He made a couple of phone calls and within the hour we were in a car on our way to the airport. My daughters are I are all a little in love with him. Other members of the team, Philip, Tim, Sandy and Sandy also need a mention, they showed compassion and kindness which was so humbling. Philip is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable; he is such a delightful person and his jeep Lucy is such a character too.

The lodge is located on the Kapati plains opposite rugged Lukenya Hill. Game drives are available from the camp but you can also cycle or walk around the reserve. There is no shortage of game so you won’t be disappointed. There is a resident population of over 3000 game animals and over 270 identified bird species. You will see big herds of oryx, elands, wildebeests, giraffes, monkeys, hartebeests, zebras, impalas, Grant's and Thompson's gazelles, warthogs and the occasional gerenuk. We never got to see any but there are cheetahs here too. Night drives will enable you to see nocturnal creatures such as aardvarks, spring hares, bush babies, genet and cerval cats.

There is a generator that services the camp which is on from 12.30pm to 2.30pm and then again at 6.30pm until 11.30pm. There is free wireless internet available too. There is a well-stocked library and beautiful wildlife photos in the TV room. Every evening the camp fire is lit for you to sit round and enjoy an aperitif. The food at Acacia is amazing and plentiful, breakfast lunch and dinner are 3 courses and tea and coffee are available all day too. There is a well-stocked bar and Michael is always happy to serve you late into the night as you sit around the camp fire sharing your safari experiences.

Sometimes during the night I was woken to the chuckling of the bush babies and in the morning we had monkeys playing and jumping over the roofs of the cabins but to me that is the essence of Africa. I personally love the sounds of the bush and of being at one with nature.

The camp is a hidden gem. Although I am reluctant to share it with you I do feel that I shouldn’t be selfish and let others know about this little piece of heaven. During our 4 day stay we were on an emotional roller coaster with regards to the volcanic ash and the uncertainty of getting home. However the staff at Acacia still managed to make our stay an unforgettable one, they were sympathetic to our situation and couldn’t have been more helpful. We will definitely be going back again but next time we will be relaxed and able to enjoy the splendour of it all. We have left with the memories of Acacia Camp firmly lodged in our hearts