“THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HOUSE IN AFRICA”

- Peter Michael Browne, Senior Editor, Conde Nast Traveller, UK

Designed for a London client as both a family home and a luxury retreat for like-minded guests, Arijiju is a soulful sanctuary, crafted to make space for the spirit. In nature.

Carved into rock on the hillside overlooking Mount Kenya in the Borana Conservancy, Arijiju is inspired by ancient earth architecture and monastic buildings. A central arched cloister forms the heart of the house, linking the main rooms, and providing a private retreat from the wilderness beyond.

Built by local craftsmen from local stone and timber, capped by green roofs and powered by solar energy, Arijiju has been designed to have minimal impact on its environment. But maximum impact on its guest, in the subtlest of ways.

Beyond the five capacious luxury suites, the main shared spaces include an elegant living room and dining room, bar lounge, library, cinema room, and roof terraces. Beyond, the yoga pavilion, gym and spa with hammam, are linked by outdoor tiered terraces and a twenty metre infinity lap pool, often used as a watering hole by resident elephants.

Engaged in the interiors, architectural design and the guest experience offering, LIFE’s holistic approach incorporates strategic design, food concept, uniform design, photographic strategy and brand evolution.

ARIJIJU AWARDS & RECOGNITION

2017 CONDE NAST TRAVELLER
– ‘THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SAFARI LODGE IN AFRICA’

2019 FORBES
– THE HIGH-LUXURY PRIVATE KENYAN RETREAT ARIJIJU MIXES EUROPEAN CLASSICISM WITH AN AFRICAN ESTHETIC

2020 THE TELEGRAPH UK
– INTRODUCING THE SPA-FARI, A NEW WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE AFRICAN BUSH

2016 BLOOMBERG
– DISCOVER AFRICA’S NEWEST, ULTRA-LUXURY SAFARI LODGE

2017 TRAVEL AND LEISURE
– A REMARKABLE PRIVATE VILLA RENTAL IN THE KENYAN BUSH RAISES THE BAR FOR SAFARI STAYS

2019 ASANTE TRAVEL
– THE 10 MOST EXCLUSIVE VILLAS IN KENYA

Arijiju

Creative Lead: LIFE Interiors, Architecture & Strategic Design
Architects: LIFE in collaboration with Nicholas Plewman Architects
Interior Styling & Curation: Maira Koutsoudakis, LIFE Interiors, Architecture & Strategic Design
Services: Concept & Strategy, Spatial Philosophy, Art Direction, Interior Architecture, FF&E
Location: Laikipia, Kenya
Completed: 2014-2020
Photography: Maira Koutsoudakis, Tony Pereira. Any omission is purely accidental.

Website: arijiju.com