Rondo Retreat Centre

Includes 3 meals a day and it was good. Had nice views too from the hotel

Having popped in here a few years back, I was able to return with a friend, this time for a 24-hour overnight stay. Everything at Rondo is a delight. The manicured and well-tended garden is a perfect contrast to the surrounding forest. The chalets are old, quirky, simple, comfortable, and very clean. Food was good and plentiful, to a set menu. Staff were friendly and welcoming. I got up in the morning pre-dawn, sat in the garden and watched the sky lighten across those spectacular, tall trees. A troupe of monkeys lazily swung by, as the dawn chorus faded. The hikes for us were an absolute high-spot. Our guide Winston was a fund of knowledge, and paced the walk to match our speed and interests. When you climb "the hill" you look down on the forest canopy, and the wide sweep of rugged countryside all round. Descending to the river takes you among a wondrous vista of enormous and varied trees, including the dreaded "strangler" fig. Even the short walk, past the pond, is a gem. Take this rare opportunity to enjoy the simplicity, the peace, the lack of Wi-fi, and the wonders of nature. (All photos thanks to Jim I.)

We spent the entire Christmas weekend at Rondo Retreat. The staff were great (and thanks Julia for your "additional touches). Meals were well prepared. Dining room was charming. The other guests were a wonderful mix of "Kenya's best" - warm, unassuming and interesting. All our hikes were rewarding and our many hours luxuriating out on the lawns provided great entertainment - crowned eagle and black & white casqued hornbill nests towering above us. Monkeys playing for hours on the lawns. Our room in the main house was private and comfortable. It is a long drive from Nairobi but very rewarding. Thanks to one and all for making our Christmas special.

I have wanted to visit for years and so glad I finally made it. making a reservation was so easy - decent road almost all the way there and complete relaxation when I arrived. Just so wonderful - complete serenity. Staff wonderful, food good, rooms lovely - garden and forest - guided walks - birds and butterflies - just so simple but so spoiling at the same time. Afternoon tea and cake in the garden, Casques hornbills calling over head - Colobus hollering - butterflies did not hesitate.

A wonderful place to retreat from the world. Rondo is old-fashioned in a positive way: kind and service minded staff, afternoon tea , books to borrow, comfort food and no wi-fi! The cosy cottages have plenty of space to sit both indoors and on the verandas. The garden is manicured and the whole place sits in the midst of Kenya’s only rainforest. My impression is that Rondo is mainly for adult guests. Bring your own bottle if you want wine or beer, as no alcohol is served.

We visited for the birding in Kakamega Forest – but the Rondo Retreat wove its way into our hearts. What an utterly charming, quirky place to stay – like stepping back in time with the quaint period cottages in the stunningly beautiful gardens. The staff were lovely and it was a peaceful place to stay for 3 nights – we could easily have stayed for longer. Rondo is right in the Kakamega Forest with well-marked trails accessible directly from the gardens. The rooms and food are simple, we enjoyed the candle lit dinners and afternoon tea (made with locally grown Rondo tea) and you are allowed to bring your own alcohol which they will refrigerate for you. NB there is no wifi, pretty limited cell phone coverage and they are unable to take credit card payments so bring cash for any soft drinks. When we were there were some power outages (although there is a back-up generator). Rondo have their own local bird guides and they were very helpful organising airport transfers and an early breakfast. The introduction of daily flights from Nairobi on Skyward Express has made Rondo more easily accessible for a short break. A special thank you to the delightful Kingsley – the charming and gracious waiter. NB this is a simple, old fashioned, somewhat dated retreat - do not expect luxury trappings, .....other than the luxury of being in the beautiful forest.

We were in Kakamega for work and during the weekend we moved to Rondo. This is a lovely and peaceful place, with an enchanting park were it is possible to see monkeys and listen to the songs of a variety of birds. We appreciated a lot the meals (I've asked for vegetarian meals and they was excellent) and the tea with a delicious piece of cake in the afternoons, taken directly to our small but beautiful cottage, despite the rain.

The Main reason we went to Kakamega forest is for the Forest birds, we were not disappointed, we got a local guide who was excellent with his birds and bird calls, we saw more than we thought we would. We chose to stay at Rondo as it is the only place to stay inside the forest, the area around Rondo is spectacular, the gardens are beautiful and peaceful. The buildings and rooms are older wooden structures and everything was neat and clean, the food was good and tasty, however you do not get an option on what to eat, there is only one type of meal served at lunch and dinner. WiFi is practically non existent , it was a slow process just to send and receive Whats app messages, Rondo is not the place to do any online work. For birding and nature and spending time in the Forest then Rondo is the best place to stay.

I did not go this time as it is too expensive. I have been many times in the past and enjoyed it. But the road is long and very rough. The accommodation is good and surroundings beautiful. But it's far too expensive now. The price has been increasing and now it's just too much and moot worth it. A shame......