Sometimes it is difficult to find the words to express just how fabulous a place is. It almost feels like you ought to be waxing lyrical and using poetic words to describe where you have been so that your readers are enticed to visit, but as I have mentioned in previous posts, travel for me has become a lot about the feelings that have been evoked in a place because ultimately, how you feel about a place is what leaves a lasting impression. This post has been long overdue and I am guilty of procrastination in writing it but even as I sit and reminisce, I am taken back to a little slice of paradise in the plains of Laikipia, Central Kenya, to Segera Ranch: a property that makes you have several “pinch me, is this real” moments because you feel like you have stepped into the pages of Conde Nast Traveller and are in a dream!!!
Set in a private conservancy amidst lions, cheetah, elephants and other wildlife, Segera is the kind of place you go to for true escapism, to get off the beaten track and away from the masses: making this the very definition of a hidden gem. Acres of beautifully manicured botanical gardens with cascading waterfalls, bespoke, luxurious safari chic villas that those with a keen eye for detail will appreciate, timeless memorabilia and a modern art collection are just the tip of the iceberg of treasures to be found. Segera is the epitome of luxury and I count myself amongst the lucky few that have experienced the magic this bespoke property in Kenya holds.
Relaxing at The Stables in Segera
Salt Water Pool amidst botanical gardens
Segera House
Footsteps in Segera…My Story
The large iron gates with “Segera” sculpted across swing open, beckoning the start of a new adventure. I am excited because I have heard so much about this place and I cannot wait to be spending the next couple of days at this private ranch, rumoured to be the epitome of luxury. I am not disappointed. The staff are waiting to welcome us as we drive in, and I can feel the warmth in their smiles as everyone gathers around to shake hands and usher us into this fabulous oasis in the midst of the parched Laikipia plains.
Jens, the general manager is happy to show us the stunning ranch and we cannot stop admiring every facet of the property. From the main farmhouse, to the wine tower, stables, Villa Segera, Segera House and the individual villas, every detail has been thought of and executed to perfection with the discerning, chic luxury traveller in mind and the elegant touches do not go unnoticed. If I were to describe Segera in one word: it would be exquisite. It certainly would be deserving of the accolade of the most luxurious property in Laikipia that I have set footsteps in so far.
Welcome to Segera!
Private Plunge Pool – Overlooking the plains in Segera House
The Rasul Tower – Between the Gym and Spa
The Stables
I am super stoked checking in to our private villa, set in the botanical gardens and overlooking the savannah that forms part of the 50,000 acres that make up this ranch. A warm welcome awaits: personalised chalkboards and a letter from Jens in the most beautiful handwriting, the same penmanship that adorns the labels of goodies that can be found in the room. The furnishing in the villa is decadent yet subtle enough to be cosy and our bathroom, with its twin sinks and open shower looking out onto the plains is something I would love to replicate in my dream holiday home someday!
My favourite part of our villa has to be our wooden deck with a fluffy daybed and a sunken jacuzzi overlooking the savannah. I perch on the daybed and soak it all in for a few minutes: the silhouette of Mt. Kenya visible in the distance, birds chirping away, the gentle breeze that whistles across the arid and parched land, rustling the poky cactus fence that separates the ranch from the plains. Within an hour of checking in, I am ready to throw in the towel of corporate life and retire in Segera to while away my days honing in my creativity and hopefully writing something fabulous…
Love the chalkboard welcome message!
This deck! Absolutely loved spending time here!
Look at that sunken jacuzzi….
The king size bed in our beautiful villa
Love this contemporary bathroom!
Goodies in our villla! Look at that penmanship!
Segera is full of endless intricacies and I feel like my entire time here has been one of discovery. From admiring the décor and uninterrupted views of the Laikipia plains from Segera House, the signature villa with its own private plunge pool, to ambling around in the beautifully manicured gardens and appreciating the glorious flora and fauna and art that is carefully placed around, to pottering around in the lounges in Villa Segera and the Farmhouse and gawking at memorabilia that honours the past and to spending time by the salt water pool and soaking in the sunshine. Bliss.
I love that there are plenty of cosy places to sit and soak in the gorgeousness around. The decorative style is contemporary mixed with classic: from large sofas in the farmhouse to smaller ones in the stables, with touches like cookery books and other bits and bobs artfully placed to give the whole place an opulent feel that is still cosy and makes it feel like home away from home. Indeed, Segera feels like a palatial oasis where no detail has been overlooked.
Patio in the farmhouse – great to dive into a nice book out here!
The Farmhouse Dining Room – A beautiful setting for dinner
Amazing decor in The Stables bathroom!
I also love that Segera honours creativity. Villa Segera’s main bedroom is simply stunning and I fall in love with the décor and want to move in! One of my favourite rooms in this villa is the lounge that dedicated to the amazing photographer Michael Poliza and aptly named the Poliza Room. I could spend hours in this gallery alone: it is wanderlust inducing with a fabulous collection of Michael Poliza’s photographs and coffee table books.
Villa Segera – This Villa is Holiday Home Goals!
Gorgeous bedroom in Villa Segera
Bathroom goals in Villa Segera
Michael Poliza Lounge
Segera follows the principles of wellness and holistic living, and so the food is organic from farm to table. We have several amazing meals out here, with the chef paying particular attention to ensuring that we have all we want and more. Jens is the perfect host and we have our meals in different places every day, which enable us to have a well- rounded experience of the culinary delights that Segera has to offer. Breakfast overlooking Mt. Kenya on the terrace of the farmhouse, lunch by the pool in Villa Segera one day and by the main salt water pool the next, dinner in the stunning dining room in The Stables…there is no time to get bored out here…
Food glorious food! Organic produce from farm to table
Delicious delicacies prepared by the Chef
I fell in love with the crockery
Just look at that stunning table setting!
….and indeed, there is lots to do other than just switch off. Join me in my next post to see what else there is to do, and all the fantastic treasures that are to be found at Segera! Until then, Happy Wanderlusting! xoxo
Mt Kenya as seen from Segera Ranch
Farmhouse at Segera Ranch by night
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