Nomad Cabin Fever

SPOTLIGHT
Finally, the Nomad team arrives in
Nanyuki after a couple of days
up in the mountains. To electricity
and hot showers and KFC, which
is actually our first stop in town.
Nothing short of fast food will suffice! For supper
later that evening, we swing by Little Barney’s at
One Stop for some takeaway pizza before being
shown to our cottages, Bramble and Oak, which
are actually only a stone’s throw away.
Similar in design, these stylish and quirky huts
are traditional shepherd’s wagons that were used
during lambing season in the UK from the 15th
to the 20th century. Raised and with extended
wooden front porches, they actually even have
the standard wheels at the bottom and would
therefore be mobile should they ever need to be
moved. Nestled in a garden, an outdoor lounging
area leads to the main door which opens to an
intimate space with one double bed, a single bed
and kitchen area where you’re more likely to easily
whip up coffee with toast than cook a full meal for
dinner. It includes a fridge, kettle, tea bags, instant
coffee and enough glasses to invite a handful of
friends over for a quick sundowner, possibly out on
the verandah while taking in the views of Mt Kenya
on a clear day.
My hut could comfortably sleep three. The
space looks bigger than it actually is thanks to
the spotless all-white coat of paint within as well
as the large glass windows and doors which
let in maximum light. The eco-friendly toilet and
bathrooms are private, solar-heated, set right
outside the room and intentionally designed to
create a rustic African “mabati chic” feel.
Unique in the country thanks to being inspired
by vintage British traveller horse-drawn caravans
of yesteryear, Shepherd’s Hut is set opposite the
Nanyuki airstrip and thanks to its location at One
Stop Nanyuki, you can find an array of facilities
and services ranging from a farm shop and hair
salon to a vet’s office right within the premises.
Accommodation starts at Ksh 5,000 per person.
A safari tent with one king size bed and two
singles is available, and if you have tents, you
can camp here for only Ksh 500. A swimming
pool is currently under construction, and there is
also a wooden three-bedroomed house said to be
over 100 years old that was recently transported
to Nanyuki from its previous location in Nairobi.
For its age, it is surprisingly still very intact, and
is being restored exactly as it was with very little
reinforcements, and it will likely be ready for
bookings by the beginning of August. Once the
decor is completed, likely in a similar simple,
stylish, airy and tasteful manner as the huts, it will
certainly be one of the most charming places to
stay in town.
www.onestopnanyuki.com
NOMAD MAGAZINE 2019 53